Angela Stribling
"The Voice"
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa: Angela, where did you grow up and attend High School?
Angela: I Grew up in Buffalo, New York and attended Catholic schools until high school where I attended Kensington High School in the ‘Great State Of Buffalo!'
Angela: I Grew up in Buffalo, New York and attended Catholic schools until high school where I attended Kensington High School in the ‘Great State Of Buffalo!'
Copa: What influenced your love for music?
Angela: There were always various types of music playing in my house while growing up. I was always drawn to the jazz genre and developed a love for it in my teenage years.
Angela: There were always various types of music playing in my house while growing up. I was always drawn to the jazz genre and developed a love for it in my teenage years.
Copa: Where did you attend college?
Angela: F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) located in New York City.
Angela: F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) located in New York City.
Copa: What brought you to Washington, DC?
Angela: After college, I took a job with American Airlines. They interviewed me for a position at BWI Airport. It was during Congressional Black Caucus weekend. After seeing so many progressive African Americans in DC, I decided that I was going to move here job or no job. Thankfully, I got the job!
Angela: After college, I took a job with American Airlines. They interviewed me for a position at BWI Airport. It was during Congressional Black Caucus weekend. After seeing so many progressive African Americans in DC, I decided that I was going to move here job or no job. Thankfully, I got the job!
Copa: What attracted you to radio and television?
Angela: When trying to figure out what career path to follow, many of my mentors and peers encouraged me to do something that involved my voice. It's ironic that I was teased as a child for having a "different" voice, and being way too articulate. My takeaway is that we all have our own unique gifts. Trust that, and be true to yourself.
Angela: When trying to figure out what career path to follow, many of my mentors and peers encouraged me to do something that involved my voice. It's ironic that I was teased as a child for having a "different" voice, and being way too articulate. My takeaway is that we all have our own unique gifts. Trust that, and be true to yourself.
Copa: Who are your favorite music artists?
Angela: Wow! I have so many. Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Phyllis Hyman, Minnie Riperton, Jean Carne, Will Downing. I guess you can tell how diverse my musical taste is.
Angela: Wow! I have so many. Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Phyllis Hyman, Minnie Riperton, Jean Carne, Will Downing. I guess you can tell how diverse my musical taste is.
Copa: Please explain to our readers the importance of Jazz and why they should listen more?
Angela: That's a big question. As a jazz singer, and host of Straight Ahead Jazz on WHUR HD2, I strive to expose more people to this beautiful music. I believe that many people discount jazz because they haven't heard enough of it to really appreciate what jazz is. Jazz is the true classical music. It was born in America and is a major part of our American History.
Angela: That's a big question. As a jazz singer, and host of Straight Ahead Jazz on WHUR HD2, I strive to expose more people to this beautiful music. I believe that many people discount jazz because they haven't heard enough of it to really appreciate what jazz is. Jazz is the true classical music. It was born in America and is a major part of our American History.
Angela with the 'legendary' Quincy Jones
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Angela with Donnie Simpson
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Copa: Which song that you have written moves you the most and why?
Angela: That’s easy! "I Can Still Feel You”, still moves me to tears, because I wrote it about my best friend, Melvin Lindsey, who passed away tragically. He died of AIDS and is now celebrated around the world, as the creator of "The Quiet Storm" radio format. I think many people can relate to the song because we've all lost someone we love in some way.
Angela: That’s easy! "I Can Still Feel You”, still moves me to tears, because I wrote it about my best friend, Melvin Lindsey, who passed away tragically. He died of AIDS and is now celebrated around the world, as the creator of "The Quiet Storm" radio format. I think many people can relate to the song because we've all lost someone we love in some way.
Angela and Melvin Lindsey
Copa: What and Who is your greatest musical inspiration in general?
Angela: I'm inspired by so many musicians. It's a beautiful experience to listen to live jazz, when accomplished musicians know their craft enough to freely improvise. And not just jazz. I've always been moved at Stevie Wonder, Prince, Natalie Cole concerts. I think that's what inspires me the most. When an artist can make me feel something.
Angela: I'm inspired by so many musicians. It's a beautiful experience to listen to live jazz, when accomplished musicians know their craft enough to freely improvise. And not just jazz. I've always been moved at Stevie Wonder, Prince, Natalie Cole concerts. I think that's what inspires me the most. When an artist can make me feel something.
Copa: Are there any interesting projects in the making? (Howard Theatre concept)
Angela: On Sunday August 14th, we had our first Pillow Talk Brunch at the historic Howard Theatre. It was an opportunity to mix
and mingle with WHUR Pillow Talk With Angela listeners. We'll have a little bit of "pillow talk" and maybe match up some singles. I'll perform Jazz mixed with some R & B, along with my world class band, Benjie Porecki, Robert WaWa LeGrand, Zack Pride, and John Lamkin. Also, when the opportunity presents itself, we'll showcase local and national artists with "Angela Stribling Presents!"
Angela: On Sunday August 14th, we had our first Pillow Talk Brunch at the historic Howard Theatre. It was an opportunity to mix
and mingle with WHUR Pillow Talk With Angela listeners. We'll have a little bit of "pillow talk" and maybe match up some singles. I'll perform Jazz mixed with some R & B, along with my world class band, Benjie Porecki, Robert WaWa LeGrand, Zack Pride, and John Lamkin. Also, when the opportunity presents itself, we'll showcase local and national artists with "Angela Stribling Presents!"
Copa: In your opinion, what does the future hold for Jazz?
Angela: Jazz doesn't have the commercial backing as other musical genres, but the core "jazzheads" aren't going anywhere. It's too bad. However, I'm encouraged by many young jazz musicians who take it seriously and keep the passion for this beautiful music and keep it alive.
Angela: Jazz doesn't have the commercial backing as other musical genres, but the core "jazzheads" aren't going anywhere. It's too bad. However, I'm encouraged by many young jazz musicians who take it seriously and keep the passion for this beautiful music and keep it alive.
Copa: Would you please tell us how you make "Pillow Talk" a different listening experience?
Angela: I love what Sylvia did in the 70's with the original song, Pillow Talk. It's a classic. We didn't want to lose the sexiness and feel that was already there. Producer, Marcus Miller, did a masterful job of keeping the integrity of the original song, while bringing it up to date, sexy and funky with this rendition which includes The Prince of Sophisticated Soul, Will Downing, and Soulful Saxophonist, Gerald Albright.
Angela: I love what Sylvia did in the 70's with the original song, Pillow Talk. It's a classic. We didn't want to lose the sexiness and feel that was already there. Producer, Marcus Miller, did a masterful job of keeping the integrity of the original song, while bringing it up to date, sexy and funky with this rendition which includes The Prince of Sophisticated Soul, Will Downing, and Soulful Saxophonist, Gerald Albright.
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Copa: What is your favorite stage to perform?
Angela: The one where I can entertain and hopefully bring some joy and happiness to my audience. It’s not a particular venue, but wherever I am and wherever there are people enjoying my performances.
Angela: The one where I can entertain and hopefully bring some joy and happiness to my audience. It’s not a particular venue, but wherever I am and wherever there are people enjoying my performances.
Copa: What advice do you wish to give to a young gifted Jazz vocalist?
Angela: My advice to young, gifted jazz vocalists is to keep studying the music, be true to your own style, and keep performing in front of live audiences. It's one thing to sing at home, but when you perform publicly, it helps to elevate your performance level. Stay encouraged. It's natural to sound like your musical influences early in your musical journey, but the goal is to find your own voice.
Angela: My advice to young, gifted jazz vocalists is to keep studying the music, be true to your own style, and keep performing in front of live audiences. It's one thing to sing at home, but when you perform publicly, it helps to elevate your performance level. Stay encouraged. It's natural to sound like your musical influences early in your musical journey, but the goal is to find your own voice.
Copa: We’re getting to know Angela Stribling ‘The Jazz Artist’, but we have long-known you as ‘The Voice’, a renowned radio and TV personality and Voice Over Artist…where does the passion lie?
Angela: I get asked this so much. My answer is that I enjoy my multimedia career! I'm a jazz singer first. It has always been my passion. However, my broadcast career is also such an integral part of who I am. I'm excited every chance I get to perform on stage, share the spotlight on other artists, and talk about it all on radio and television. When I'm not doing that, just for fun, I enjoy learning all about aviation. Yes, I've taken a little break from flying, but it's never not on my mind. I look forward to getting back up there very soon. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing everyone at my live shows.
Angela: I get asked this so much. My answer is that I enjoy my multimedia career! I'm a jazz singer first. It has always been my passion. However, my broadcast career is also such an integral part of who I am. I'm excited every chance I get to perform on stage, share the spotlight on other artists, and talk about it all on radio and television. When I'm not doing that, just for fun, I enjoy learning all about aviation. Yes, I've taken a little break from flying, but it's never not on my mind. I look forward to getting back up there very soon. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing everyone at my live shows.
~Copa