This songbird sings - Q & A with soul singer Gloria Ryann

With her exotic beauty, unassuming demeanor and elegant ambiance, multi-octave songbird Gloria Ryann has one of the more distinctive voices of millennial soul singers – one that can touch the uppermost registers of sound in one passage, yet also produce dusky coloratura tones the next. 

She has soul, not of the manufactured variety but of the type that is thought provoking, musically challenging and instantly recognizable. 

Ryann is swiftly ascending to the head of the class in the indie soul world and her ceiling is as high as the sky – one that bodes well for soul music lovers longing for unadulterated soul, straight no chaser.

Q:  Who were some of your influences?

A:  At the top of my list is Chaka Khan and Minnie Ripperton.  I also love Ella Fitzgerald and Anita Baker.  My mother always made sure that there was good music in the house.  I traveled a lot – so I had a lot of music exposure.  Chicago had blues, jazz and stepping music.  My family is also from Houston, and that side was very musical as well.

Q:  When did you have your music epiphany?

A:  I would say it was when I received encouragement from Dr. Lina McGlenn, who was my voice teacher and was also R Kelly’s voice instructor.   She told me to never give up and that big things would happen to me.  I was always going to do music, but I had a backup plan.  But once I got encouragement from her, I put my all into music. 

Q:  How do you feel about comparisons people make of you to Minnie Ripperton? How do you stay humble?

A:  Minnie to me is the ultimate (singer/performer).  When I hear those comparisons, “I ask are you sure you’re talking about me, really?” She’s such a legend to me in her poise and her posture and her professionalism.  We don’t see a lot of that today, so I want to be sure that I bring that same level of class and professionalism to what I’m doing and when I do my shows.  I can only be but humble when I look at the body of work that she created and get any type of comparison to her.  Someone once told me they liked my version of “Inside My Love” better and I almost wanted to tell them, “you will not say that – Minnie is the ultimate.”  I can only aspire to be like her and leave a legacy like hers.

Q:  What have been some high points from your performances?

A:  I met Patti Labelle and she was so encouraging.  I was singing at a wedding (songwriter Denise Richard’s daughter’s wedding) where Patti Labelle, Natalie Cole and Clive Davis were in attendance.  I’m on stage singing and Patti’s assistant comes by and motions me to come to her and that Patti wants to meet me.  I went and met her and she grabbed my hand and took me and we met Natalie Cole.  It was an amazing night.  The MTV European Awards was cool – I did background vocals for Rhianna.  I also performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

Q:  Where do you feel soul music is going?

A:  I think it’s coming back.  For a minute, we were a little lost and didn’t know where to go with it.  But real singers are coming back in full force and people want to see a real show.  The soul music underground will be right on top.  You’ll be seeing majors and indie artists on the same level.  That’s where it’s headed.

Q:  Where are you in life at this point?

A:  I have a dog.  He’s a handful and a mess. I live in Harlem and my friends are my family.  I’m living and loving life – I’m dating a little bit.  It’s hard to date in this industry when you’re focused on your goals.  My motto now is all things in God’s time- I might want it now, but it’s not meant for now.  I’m meant to be where I am now.  And I’ll just be ready for whenever and whatever God has in store. 

Q:  What’s up with the upcoming album?

A:  I envision my album being like Faith Evan’s first, Jill Scott’s first or Lauryn Hill’s first.  I’m not trying to rush it because I want it to be real quality.  We will be releasing an EP titled “Just Glo.”  Everybody’s really dedicated to making quality music and it being true to myself.  I’m working with Herb Middleton and Richard Rudolph (the late Minnie Ripperton’s husband) – I’m excited to be working with him.  The EP will be out the end of the year. 

Q:  What’s been the most challenging aspect of your career and how have you addressed it?

A:  The most challenging is that there’s a lot of clique’s in the industry, so it’s never easy to get in there.  I never want to be part of a clique.  I want to be constantly changing and not just doing one thing.  We have to be open to doing different music and I’m making sure I stay open to trying new things.  I always want to think positive.  No one wants to work with a Debbie Downer. 

For more information on Gloria Ryann, visit these following web sites: http://www.reverbnation.com/GloriaRyann; http://www.youtube.com/gloriaryann; http://www.myspace.com/gloriaryann; http://www.twitter.com/Gloriaryann

Chris Campbell is the author of "The Essential Neo Soul," a book that looks at the history and development of progressive soul music.  Visit www.essentialneosoul.com or email Chris at news411chris@gmail.com.