The art form that trumpeter Nicholas Payton calls Black American Music is rooted in struggle, protest and validating the affirmation of black humanity in all of its manifestations. That fact often escapes the masses until someone like Beyonce provides evidence of that fact in living color. Then there are artists such as Danielle Ponder, the fire breathing vocalist and a native of Rochester, N.Y., who fronts a funk band called Tomorrow People.
Ponder’s vocals combine the spirit of the church with the speak-truth- to-power assertiveness of a movement leader. She could be the musical progeny of Nina Simone and Gil-Scott Heron, and her seven track EP is an audio that shows that soul music is still a musical platform for black power and black pride. All the tracks are top flight, but give a close listen to “We Live.” We think you’ll like it.
By Howard Dukes
Danielle Ponder – “We Live”
