As I was recovering from the flu last week I decided to watch the documentary American Symphony on Netflix and it was absolutely heart-wrenching and timely and spoke to the incredible creativity required to survive a history as brutal and violent as American history. The story really reminded me of the healing and survival power of creative expression, especially music. Multi-instrumentalist musician and music therapist Cinamon Blair life story and family legacy is one thread of that historical tapestry that needs to be shared.

Of Cherokee, Choctaw, and Chickahominy lineage, her roots are in the Southeast US. Her musical legacy most recently goes back to her paternal grandfather. He was jazz musician Lee Blair, who migrated from Savannah, Georgia to Brooklyn in the 1920s and played and recording with Jelly Roll Morton’s Red-Hot Peppers, Louis Armstrong, Luis Russell, Billy Kato, Thomas Morris’s Seven Hot Babies, and Charlie Skeete. It was from this rich musical legacy that Cinamon was born into. Brooklyn-born, Massachusetts-based Cinamon is currently playing with the bands Rebirth and Brown Bones as well as continuing to work on her own music.

“Music has literally been about health wealth my whole life, as my Mother would stand in front of the speakers while I was in utero; blasting Blue in Green off of Kind of Blue by Miles Davis…to this day, is my go to soul soother…this music is imprinted onto my DNA and actually repairs my genetic code whenever listened to. I have been using Music Therapy applications most of my life without even knowing that’s what I was doing in an academic sense. I use music as a tool to self-sooth as well as to build connections, educate and activate myself and the listener. I am a working musician & a pre-licensed Expressive Therapist with a focus in Music Therapy.”

~ Cinamon Blair

Here is my interview with the effervescent Cinamon Blair.

What styles of music growing up sparked your love of music?

Growing up, there was always Jazz being played in the house. My paternal Grandfather, Lee Blair, played left-handed Banjo & Guitar with Thomas Morris’s Seven Hot Babies, Charlie Skeete, Jelly Roll Morton’s Red-Hot Peppers, Billy Kato, Luis Russell & Louis Armstrong. My parents really loved Brazilian music also. My home was always buzzing with the best music from Miles Davis, Airto , Jobim, Lonnie Liston Smith, John Coltrane, Jon Lucien, Pharoah Sanders, and Sarah Vaughn just to name a few.

Can you tell me about your interest in music therapy and in what ways do you use musical therapy for yourself and how do you work with it for others or in what ways have you seen music be a healing force in your life?

My interest in Music Therapy was a natural progression from how I was formed in utero to how I was raised and how the public education system failed me and so many other creatives growing up. I would often rely on a Music Therapy modality, lyric replacement to pass exams. Lyric replacement is changing the lyrics to your favorite song with lyrics that are relevant to the situation. One that stands out in my memory is memorizing math equations to Spirits in the Material World by The Police…don’t tell Sting, he might sue me LOL! The act of writing music is a therapeutic practice, meaning every song written should not be shared with the masses but part of one’s own journal. Sometimes, writing a song that mends the soul can be shared with the world because there is a universal message in the music, in fact, I wrote a song called “Return to Paradise” about my Brother, who was murdered by Dade County Police in GA.

What motivated you to learn how to play the bass guitar and how old were you when you started learning music?

My first music lessons came directly from my parents by playing music in the home, all of the time. I was learning how to be an active listener, which informed my speaking and singing voice. I started taking Piano lessons around 5 yrs old and continued through High School but also picked up various other instruments in middle school and landing on upright bass in High School Orchestra. Both my younger Sister and I took music lessons at The Harlem School of the Arts on Saturday mornings. I’ve always been drawn to music that was heavy on Drums & Bass…the heartbeat.

I know you grew up in Brooklyn. What music was in your environment whether inside or outside the home that has influenced you? Are there any artists that you really admire or look to as inspiration?

Once I was able to search for and choose my own music to listen to, I began to dig into Reggae, Folk & Soft-Rock. Nina Simone, Tracy Chapman, Bjork, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Lenny Kravitz & Fat Freddy’s Drop are some of my favorites. I really love Steel Pulse, Lee Perry, Mad Professor, Buddy Miles, CSN, and so many more.

Are there any non-musical influences that inspire your creativity?

This is a trick question because everything is musical if you’re actively listening but I love being in nature. Swimming, walking, hiking and meditating all influence my creativity.

What advice would you give to emerging artists who are just starting their artistic journeys?

Listen to as much music as possible and learn your favorite tunes by ear and play along. Keep pushing, stay true to yourself, be patient and be an active listener.

Can you describe the role that community and cultural heritage play in your work?

My community, wherever that may be, wherever I am, has played an important role is nurturing & growing me into the creative that I am and supports my/our music and my cultural heritage is my community so my/our music is a product of and supports the community through storytelling, performance and creative practices.

Are there any particular influences or sources of inspiration that have shaped your artistic practice?

My Sister Eyeserene Oasis is my cardinal influence and inspiration in even being a creative, among many other things. Particularly in my health and meditative practices, which I previously stated nurtures my creativity.

Could you share a specific project or artwork that holds significant meaning to you? What was the inspiration behind it?

Rebirth is currently in the process of recording our second studio album, but we will be releasing singles as they’re ready. Funding an album, as independent artists takes time.

How do you see your art contributing to or engaging with broader social or cultural conversations?

My singing and songwriting comes from lived experiences, so they’re mostly love songs. Because love is a spectrum and to be love, be loved and give love, you have to be in the practice of loving and that starts with self. Without self-love, we are forever searching for it, often in all of the wrong places.

Anything else you would like our readers to know about you or your art?

I am the granddaughter of a Jazz Musician that was shut out of the industry because he did not let the White Man talk to him however he wished, which was racist, emasculating and disrespectful. I hope my Grandfather is proud of all of my accomplishments thus far and continues to support me from the spirit realm, to reach my goals as an independent artist.

CINAMON’S RECOMMENDED ARTISTS:

• NITE BJUTI
• The Lost Tribe
• Elena Ciampa
• Terry Jenoure