AverySunshine

I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4 I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4Avery*Sunshine I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4 by lisa birchThe hunt to find good, soulful music with a positive edge has become quite exhilarating lately--especially when the search leads to new artists like Avery Sunshine, who brings forth a fresh blend of soul, hip-hop, jazz and R&B, all capped off by inspirational lyrics."Avery Sunshine is not neo-soul and it's not gospel," explains the singer/songwriter/pianist. She says while her music and lyrics have both a neo-soul and gospel influence, classifying everything in one or both of these categories would close her off to mass appeal. "I believe God wants people everywhere to hear what He has given me to sing. If I could describe us in anyway it would have to be inspirational R&B. But above all, it's music you can snap your fingers to with your children and your parents."With vocals that are thick and strong yet jazzy-smooth, it's not hard to tell that Avery Sunshine has been singing for a long time. What started in church at a young age has been refined there throughout most of her life. She is currently choral director at two churches in Atlanta, including the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church on Auburn Avenue.But Avery's talent couldn't be contained within the four walls of the church for very long. She and her sister teamed up to form a singing group called Daisy Rew; and later, Avery lent her voice to the soundtrack for Paramount Pictures' "The Fighting Temptations." In 2005, she was hired as lead keyboardist for Tyler Perry's stage play "Meet the Browns," and last month she was sought out by vocal great Jennifer Holiday as choral director for the "Dreamgirls" production during the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta.Backed by dynamic trackman/producer Dana Johnson--who co-wrote and co-produced songs for Motown recording artist India.Arie's second, platinum-selling album "Voyage to India"--Avery Sunshine is now working on her first CD project, which she says will likely be a collage of many styles. "It's kind of hard to describe, because I'm doing so much stuff right now. I look at this project as a story book; there are so many different chapters of me," she explains. "I love how Stevie Wonder can have a different sound on many of his songs, but it works. That's me."To experience one facet of Avery Sunshine, check out her house single "Stalk You" on The Ananda Project compilation CD entitled "Fire Flower." Avery comments on the title, "It's not as abrasive as it sounds." Success of this single has carried her overseas to perform it at various venues.