An Evening Of Jazz with Johnaye Kendrick

Reported by Katelyn Lam

Photographed by Allison Martinet

The blast of the trumpet, the buzz of the double bass, the ringing of the piano, the smooth sounds of the saxophone, and the beat of the drums fill the concert hall. These instruments blend to create an immersive and magical sound known as jazz.

George Fox University (GFU) hosted a jazz concert featuring Johnaye Kendrick on Jan. 7  in Bauman Auditorium.

Kendrick is a jazz artist with a Master’s in Music from Loyola University and an Artist Diploma from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. She is also a member of the vocal group säje, which won its second Grammy for Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals for their single “Alma,” featuring Regina Carter. The group was nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental, or A Cappella category.

Kendrick first started her musical journey playing the violin. 

“I played violin and was part of the San Diego Youth Symphony, which allowed me to travel the world,” Kendrick said. “That experience excited me about music and its ability to connect people and cultures.”

Kendrick attended a performing arts high school, played in the orchestra, and joined the choir for fun. 

“When I sang my first solo, I felt an immediate connection with the audience,” Kendrick said. “That experience at 16 was a turning point for me. I didn’t even realize I could go to college for singing until later, and once I did, everything shifted.”

Kendrick is not only an artist, she is also an educator, musician, business owner, wife, and mother. 

“I do a lot, I'm a professor, a performer, part of säje, and I run a sound therapy business. I also have 10-year-old twins,” she said. “ My partner is incredibly supportive; I couldn’t do this without him. It all works together, except for balancing home life, which is a science my husband and I have perfected.”

Kendrick notes that honesty is the key when it comes to finding inspiration for her music.

“We're all living in a world filled with constant change,” Kendrick said. “I write music that reflects who I am and where I am today, even when it’s uncomfortable. As artists, whether painters, videographers, or dancers, we have a responsibility to express our truths. I’m the only one who can tell my story, so I strive to be as honest and present as possible.”

A philosophy that guides Kendrick’s personal and professional life is “all I can do at this moment is what’s available to me, and I can only be who I am, and that is enough.”

“If something isn’t available to me at that moment, whether it’s a note I can’t hit because I’m sick, that’s okay,” Kendrick said. “My mantra is about acceptance and truth, and it gets me through every performance.”

One memorable experience that Kendrick emphasized was performing with Ellis Marsalis Jr., who is a renowned jazz pianist, and father to several famous jazz musicians.

“After I graduated, he called and hired me to perform duo sets with him every Friday night at Snug Harbor in New Orleans,” Kendrick said. “Eventually, I became part of his band. It was a full-circle moment, going from ‘Can you read music?’ to ‘Can you make music with me?’”

One challenge that Kendrick highlights throughout her career is being a woman in a male-dominated field.

“I’ve had to fight for equity, transparency, and fair compensation,” Kendrick said. “Even in academia, women are often paid less than their male counterparts. I make it a point to advocate for other women. If I negotiate a rate for a gig and can’t take it, I’ll recommend another woman and let her know what I was offered, so she has a benchmark. 

“Women are frequently lowballed, and I want to help change that,” she added. “ I’ve also had to prove my credibility as a musician, not ‘just a singer.’ My goal has always been to be a solid musician, and I think that speaks for itself.”

Kendrick notes that to stay innovative and continue evolving as an artist she listens to a lot of new music. 

“Their [Kendrick’s students] excitement and creativity inspire me,” Kendrick said. “Many are writing their own music, and I guide them through the process. I push my students to create something new, even if it’s uncomfortable. That’s what drives innovation.”

Kendrick advises aspiring musicians to be okay with being uncomfortable. “Don’t count yourself out,” Kendrick said. “If what you’re interested in doesn’t exist yet, that’s okay, create it. Stay true to yourself, and your path will present itself.”

Kendrick sees jazz and contemporary music evolving and hopes to play a big role in it. 

“My group, säje, is a vocal jazz ensemble, but we also explore other sounds,” Kendrick said. “Jazz should be living music, reflecting the times we’re in. I love traditional jazz, but I also love that today’s music incorporates elements of hip-hop, R&B, and alternative sounds. There’s an expansion happening in jazz right now, and it’s exciting. The challenge is figuring out how to label it, but labels matter less than the way music makes people feel and how it tells the story of our time.”

Responses were edited for clarity.