If you cherish Vikki Wright’s debut album Tales From The Amazon just like me and if you like to have a little more information about her than you can find on her website and her cdbaby-site than keep on reading what Vikki tells me in the jazz-not-jazz review. She gives us an insight on her family, the making of her debut album, the part of co-producer Bill Jolly and more.

Q: Please tell me something about yourself. Who turned you into music and was responsible for you to pursue a career as musician?

Vikki Wright: I’m probably one of the most honest people you’ll ever interview and have few fears in life. I’m the youngest of 5 children (I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters) and I choose to define myself as an Amazon-a woman who can withstand many adversities and still overcome them. I would say my family primarily supported my initial music endeavors. My family was very musically diverse. My mother’s family played piano and gave music lessons. My father, however was tone deaf, but listened to everything from gospel to country and sang it loudly and off-key. His mother played violin in her youth and I assume that’s how I became interested in stringed instruments. My sisters loved the Jackson 5 and lots of R & B. My brothers played bass and guitar and listened to rock and jazz. There always was lots of noise and music going on at my house. So I got it from all family members. My career choice was intrinsic. If it’s in you, you can’t fight it. If God places that in you then you have no choice.

Q: Who has influenced your songwriting and style of singing?

Vikki Wright: My songwriting has been something I’ve done since I was a little girl. Whenever I was hurt or my infatuations didn’t work out, I would write about it. Over time and with life changes, its joys, adversities, love and its constant dissolution and disappointment, my culture, and people in general have always been fair
subject matter for my songs. My style of singing has been a longer journey, and it has taken me time to truly “find” my voice. I’ve been so blessed to work in Philly where there’s so much diversity and talent, that the singers here have also been an influence on my vocal style. My love of “low range vocalists” like Al Jarreau and Betty Carter, who I think of as a vocal musicians have amazing tone and resonance that comes from the spirit. Their sounds are orgasmic and organic.

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