Multi-talented musician building bridges

The Jazz Scene with Ken Grady

NEDELKA  Prescod’s Commitment to music, education and dIversity is a study in artistic excellence.

Nedelka , is a singer/songwriter, with a background in classical music. Shereceived her B.S. in Music from New York University, and a Master of Arts from CUNYBrooklyn College Conservatory of Music. She is a recent graduate of  New England Conservatory’s(NEC) Contemporary Improvisation Graduate program, and has received the Gunther Schuller Medal for contributions to NEC. She has also performed Mezzo Soprano repertoire, and classical-repertoire for 20 years with the The Roy Prescod Chorale, directed by her father, Roy Prescod.

Her work with youth, and adults, is “signatured” with training in vocal and chorale arts, songwriting, keyboard for beginners, and introduction to music. Bridging the foundations of music theory to current trends. In 2001, Nedelka formed the community youth-based choir, Progression.

In the performance space, Nedelka’s 2008 musical offering, Manifest, was her first independent release. Nedelka’s many credits include performing with saxophonist  Kenny Garrett on two projects, one of which was Grammy-nominated, and collaborated with pianist Jason Moran, who has been called, “…the future of Jazz”. She was also given the opportunity to work with Panamanian piano Maestro, Danilo Perez, including performing at the 2008 and 2013 Panama Jazz Festivals.

 I was eager to sit down with Nedelka, and ask about her career.

KG- What was it like being Roy Prescod’s daughter?

NP- I was a daddy’s girl. My father set very high standards, both as a musician and a family man. I did feel some pressure trying to meet his expectations. But, I have to say that in general it helped me.

 KG– At some point you left your father’s chorale. When did you make the decision to become a musical artist in your own right?

NP- I wanted to become a full time artist, and also teach. That was a big decision for me, to leave my father’s chorale after 20 years. But, I felt I had to stretch my wings and separate from my dad if I wanted the freedom to express myself. I had to trust myself.

 KG– You entered New England Conservatory(NEC) in 2009 looking for a curriculum that would allow you to embrace the genres you grew up with. That included Anglican hymns, oratorios, arias, Salsa, and Reggae. I read that you even wanted to be a Bollywood vocal star. Did you succeed in blending all those styles together while at NEC?

NP- Well, I have yet to become a Bollywood vocalist. But, I wanted to embrace everything, and I found a diverse curriculum in the Contemporary Improvisation Department at NEC which allowed me to make sense of all these genres in the curriculum. There was no African American music class or ensemble at that time. But, there was an African rhythm class in place before I attended the school.

I had many conversations about black/white issues. At times I may have been viewed as the “angry Black chic” on campus. It seems to me that society in general wants African music, without the Africans. They do not want to honor the people and culture that are the foundations of the music.

KG– At some point you were able to establish the African American Roots Ensemble on campus. Was it your intention to promote more diversity at NEC?

NP- No. But, to fill the vacuum, one of my mentors suggested I start a program that addressed the lack of inclusion. So, we started the African American Roots Ensemble,and that was a smooth process. My approach of using a more oral tradition to learn requires that students/learners not rely on the norm of reading music charts, but accessing the “feel” of the music in a more internal way, versus solely cerebral.

KG- Can you explain  how big an honor it was to be chosen as student speaker at the 2013 NEC Convocation?

NP- It was a huge honor that in my mind marked the start of my entrance into NEC’s DMA program and it felt like NEC was sensitive to the many times I offered my voice regarding my experience there. I did not, and still do not take it lightly.

KG- What was your first big break in the music business?

NP- After a performance in 2001, a woman approached me and told me how much she appreciated my singing. She also said that her husband was a Jazz musician named, Kenny Garrett. His name was familiar, but I had to do some research to find the particulars. I knew many of the legendary Jazz greats, just not so many of the living legends of which Kenny is one.

Then around 2008 a friend told me that his mentor, Kenny Garrett, was looking for a vocalist. That name sounded familiar, so I looked him up online. When I saw who he was, I said, “…this is a big deal”! Then, about a year later, Kenny Garrett’s wife reached out to me and said, “…didn’t I met you a few years ago”? You know, God has a purpose for all of us.

KG- You joined Kenny Garrett on his 2006, Nonesuch Records release, Beyond the Wall, which was nominated for a Grammy. On that release Garrett’s ensemble included Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Mulgrew Miller, and Brian Blade, among others. One cut in particular, Qing Wen, combines Eastern and Latin rhythms, accompanied by chanting from Tibetan monks. Given your preference for embracing different genres, was this a dream project for you?

 NP- Witnessing and experiencing Kenny Garrett’s ability to weave in his respect for Eastern traditions into the Jazz idiom showed me that music done well has no boundaries, no formulas. It was simply a spiritual movement that transcended norms and expectations. And, it works.

– You have worked with artists from several genres, including: Neo KG Soul, Hip Hop, R&B, gospel and Jazz. But, you have said that you would like your music to be experienced, and not classified. Could you explain that?

NP- All music should be received as an individual and specific gift. Attempting to classify it with labels places the music in shapes it does not naturally come in. Just like human beings, when we receive what is offered, without the need to control and judge, we often times are blessed in ways we can’t imagine.

To learn more about artist, educator and community activist, Nedelka Prescod go to: www.nedelkaprescod.com.

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