Earn, Learn, and Return. It’ s cyclical.
12
If you are planning to join us on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at The Woodland in Maplewood, NJ, allow me to tell you we are in for a great treat. Lord Yancyy will be performing his work live at The DIVA Zone’ s A Jazzy Wonderland holiday affair.
Aside from his tremendous musical gifts and talents, Yancyy’ s generous heart, infectious spirit, love for God and His people is what got my immediate attention. Ladies, there are some beautiful men in this life. Be encouraged! It is my honor to introduce to you the artistry, and heart of an all-around, good brother, Lord Yancyy.
DZ: Thank you for taking time for this interview. How is your spirit feeling right now?
LY: I appreciate the time, Najiyyah. My spirit is at peace. I’ m excited about life. I’ m ready to be used for His purpose however He sees fit. I am in a really good place.
DZ: Okay, so there are some questions I must ask on behalf of my audience or I will be crucified. Lol. How old are you?
LY: Four decades. Lol. Between 40-45. I can’ t reveal more than that. Lol.
DZ: Are you married? Do you have children?
LY: I normally don’ t entertain questions about marital status. Lol. But since it’ s you, please tell them I am married to my music. I have a beautiful son. He is 5 going on 65. That’ s my pride and joy.
DZ: How long have you been playing?
I can sum it up this way:
Earn, Learn, and Return. It’ s cyclical.
LY: Wow. For over 30 years now. My father bought me my first horn when I was 11-years-old. I will never forget the unveiling of that gift.
DZ: Is that one of your fondest memories of your father? Is he still living?
LY: Well,( long pause topped with a chuckle) it may as well be. There were not many other memories. Lol. No, he has made his transition. You know, I count it all joy. The good and bad. I learned so much from him about how not to be in terms of a man and father, that I am grateful. No ill feelings at all. I am the man I am today because of all that I have experienced so it’ s truly all good.
DZ: Who are some of your greatest musical influences?
LY: I grew up in a gospel household and spent a great deal of time in church. So, for me, the initial influence came from a gospel saxophonist named Bernard Johnson. I first heard him when I was 13-years-old in church and I was captivated. I will never forget how I was impacted at that moment. Then I made the mistake of hearing this cat named Grover Washington Jr., and he messed me up. Lol. I didn’ t want to hear any more gospel saxophonists after that. I was on a trip of years of rebellion as a result of Grover.( Laughing). And of course, John Coltrane. They spoke to me in a way that Bernard Johnson could not have as an artist. Today, I can say that they each contributed equally to my artistry in ways I can’ t explain.
DZ: Who are you listening to on your iPod currently?
LY: I have over 20k songs in my iPod, but I don’ t listen to that. I’ m a satellite radio guy. I toggle between traditional jazz( 90 % percent of my time), R & B, Gospel. Sometimes, I go back to my college days and listen to some classical.
DZ: Who have been your biggest influencers in terms of manhood?
LY: I’ m a conglomerate of a few men. My step father( who I never viewed as a step) was like my big brother, my friend and my dad. I had amazing teachers who cultivated me in my youth. I also had a great pastor who also happened to be my uncle. He guided me spiritually. I am a product of my village for sure. I am truly grateful they were in my life.
DZ: If you had to sum up your life’ s mission in terms of priority in five words or less; what would that list look like?