Award-winning vocalist Christie Dashiell sang songs from her long-awaited sophomore album Journey in Black at the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. The new album released later this month features seven original compositions and two arrangements that explore themes of freedom, legacy, grief and joy.
Following her set at the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Dashiell spoke with WBGO's Doug Doyle about her family's legacy and her passion for this music.
"I want to convey to younger people that this music is alive. A lot of times we talk about preserving music, which is fine because it's important to preserve art forms, but when I think about preserving I think about taxidermy or freezing something that is dead and putting on a mantle and appreciating it. I want young people to know this music is ours. It's an American art form. It's a Black art form. So, it's up to us to continue growing this art form and expanding it. I think that's my goal anytime I'm on the stage or anytime I write music is to continue to push the music and make it known to as many people as I can."
Dashiell says her famous bassist father Carroll and her musical family continue to inspire her.
"My dad is the reason I wanted to do this in the first place. One of the artists he toured with was Maceo Parker who is someone that is in my musical DNA. I was born around the time my father was touring with Maceo. I think my mom and dad just birthed that music in me. It's always my goal to pay tribute to my dad, to the people he played with and to the ancestors that played the music and to continue that legacy."
The Washington, D.C. native admits it's different performing in an outdoor festival.
"I'm so used to performing in clubs or concert halls where people are closer and you can feel them. I'm always a little nervous before I sing, but especially when I sing on festival stages because I know it's a big deal and I have to be big and bold. But I feel really good about this new music I was playing today and I feel it went well."
The four-day 13th annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival wrapped up on Sunday, September 17.
