AYANNA GREGORY: Beautiful Flower

Ayanna Gregory

Beautiful Flower

© 2003 New Moon Recordings, LLC (659057895727)

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Stevie Wonder Says: “ She touches the place that is the deepest and most clearest to my heart” Lauded by The Urban Network Magazine as 2004 Album of the Year & Voted Black Radio Exclusive Magazine's Album Of The Week

notes

Stevie Wonder Says: " She touches the place that is the deepest and most clearest to my heart... expressing music!"


Urban Network Magazine lauds 2004 album of the year accolades for Beautiful Flower

"Beautiful Flower soars strait to top contender status for 2004 album of the year!"

"This album is about what James Brown once defined as "a revolution of the mind" and should be required listening for everyone!"
Scott Galloway, The Urban Network Magazine


Beautiful Flower voted Black Radio Exclusive Magazine's Album Of The Week!!!

"Ayanna's album is a brilliant work of R&B and neo-soul"

"Her sound can definitely be compared to an India Arie!"

"Ayanna skillfully covers two Stevie Wonder tracks....Her presentation of Stevie's "They Won't Go" is a truly great track!"
Sidney Miller, III Black Radio Exclusive Magazine

Ayanna Gregory Bio.:

Daughter of comedian, social activist and health advocate Dick Gregory, this super vocal talent will soon make her own mark on fame with her long awaited debut album Beautiful Flower.

Ayanna's musical roots are steeped in the struggle of the "Freedom Movement". For this child of Human Rights activist Dick Gregory, the seeds and songs for justice were planted at birth. Thus, she decided early in life that her gift of song would be her gift to the struggle. In 1990, Ayanna became a voice for "The Movement" as a student activist at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Here she was called on to sing at marches, rallies and demonstrations against the war in the Persian Gulf. From there and for the next decade, Ayanna would become a major voice within the various cultural, political, and spiritual movements in Washington, D.C.

In 1992, Ayanna joined 2000 Black, a "message music" project founded by Mamadi Nyasuma in Washington, D.C. She would go on to record, perform and tour with this group for the next six years. 2000 Black allowed Ayanna to grow as a vocalist, musician and performer and maintain her mission to use music as a teaching tool and healing mechanism. By 1995, Ayanna was gaining recognition as a solo vocalist. As an emerging Soul artist, she began performing locally, nationally and internationally at clubs, theaters, music festivals and political events. In 1998, Ayanna joined Black Notes, percussion, spoken word and music ensemble. After recording and performing with Black Notes for a year, she began her pursuit of a solo music career.

Ayanna has had the honor of performing at The Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, the Carter Barron and Fort Dupont in Washington, D.C., the 25th annual African Street Festival in Brooklyn, the 1995 African-African American Summit in Dakar, Senegal, the 1996 National Hip Hop Summit in Philadelphia, the 1996 and 1997 Hampton Jazz Festivals, the 1997 Million Women March in Philadelphia, the 1997 African-African American Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, the 1999 African-African American Summit in Accra, Ghana, the 2000 Tribute to Dick Gregory in Washington, D.C. and the 2001 Black Radio Exclusive Conference in Washington, D.C.

She's had the privilege of sharing the stage with Ahmad Jamal, Lou Donaldson, Roy Ayers, Will Downing, Jennifer Holiday, Najee, Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Maya Angelou, the Last Poets, Donald Byrd, Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Bill Cosby, Stevie Wonder and Dick Gregory.

She's also a recording vocalist who is featured on various jazz, hip hop, R&B,
and spoken word CD projects including: "2000 Black" Volumes 1 and 2,
Rejuv-a-Nation Records, 1992 and 1995 * "Travels" Priest Da Nomad, MW2 Entertainment, 1998 "Listen" The Will Smith Jazz Quartet And Co., Het Heru Productions, 1998 * "Miracle in Progress" Black Notes, Music Message Records, 1998.

Four years in the making, "Beautiful Flower" has finally emerged. This CD project reflects a highly spiritual and deeply soulful musical journey. "Beautiful Flower" is soul music, literally and figuratively. In the traditional sense, it celebrates a mixture of soul genres: R&B, Gospel, Blues, Hip Hop and Spiritual. But most importantly, the songs inspire wellness of mind, body and spirit. Lastly, "Beautiful Flower" is a personal story. As the major writer on this project, Ayanna has pulled from the various aspects of her life and spirit to create the themes found in "Beautiful Flower". In fact, most of the songs were answers to her own prayers and questions. Thus, Ayanna is clear that her music does not come from her but rather through her.

As a vocalist, performer, musician, writer and producer, Ayanna continues to grow and etch out her own place. As an artist, Ayanna will continue to be a musical messenger for the planet.

reviews

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  • Beautiful
    author: Ayanna

    I purchased the CD because we shared the same first name but I will continue to listen to it because it is a beautiful CD.

  • author: WP

    I love her style. My daughter used her music for her wedding.

  • Excellent
    author: Bernii

    Thought Provoking!

  • Thank You So Much
    author: Ayanna Woolfork

    thank you so much this cd made me feel special because we have the same name and it means the same thing so i will always cherish the song "beautiful flower"

  • Everybody else has said it all. I don't need to say anything else.
    author: Crystal

    I just wish I had heard it sooner. Thanks for putting these words to music. Now I know more than ever that everything happens in GODS' time.

  • author: TEason

    Buy it! U wont b disappointed!

  • If you've never heard of her, YOU WILL NOW!
    author: André Action JACKSON

    Much is uncovered after listenting to this musical project: the gift of talent, a demonstration of musical versatility and a desire to deliver a message in every song. It's obvious that Ayanna had intentions of leaving a musical legacy when she went in to record this mélange of selections. Great debut!

  • This is a wonderful CD!
    author: Faith

    I had never heard of Ayanna Gregory until a friend urged me to purchase "beautiful flower." And I am so glad that I did! This is a wonderful CD - full of superbly written and beautifully performed songs. She is obviously very talented and I will definitely keep an eye for her!

  • Absolutely sublime.
    author: Michele Gregory

    Listening to these songs, many which are written by Ayanna Gregory, it's easy to understand how pure genius and talent create emotionally, physically and spiritually moving musical arrangements. This CD is absolutely sublime.

  • Stevie is right......
    author: Richard R

    Take Stevie Wonder's advice; Stevie is right. This is a work of great power and true soul.

  • author: D-Dubb

    this is solid FLAWLESS

  • Wonderful & Soothing
    author: Timothy Foster

    I first heard one of the singles from this album on XM Radio and I really fell in love with the song and figured that the rest of the album had to be great as well. So I went on my search. none of the local music stores in my area had it or had never even heard of the artist. I don't know how this could be seeing how great and talented she is. I really love this CD and my favorite song is Changes.

  • It is wonderful music with a message. I love it. It is refreshing to hear musi
    author: Louis Barnett

    This cd is awesome. I love the spoken words, as well as the hauntingly beautiful ballads. I also am impressed that Ayanna wrote or co-wrote many of the songs. I hope that a wide audience will become aware of this gifted artist.

  • worth the wait
    author: sunshine

    ayanna's pure, positive,and insightful offerings inspire, uplift, and heal.

  • Extraordinary!!
    author: Iris

    An incredible work of art! I love this CD! I thought I lost it (after 2 days) and was ready to purchase another copy. I don't buy CDs at full price any more, but this was well worth it!

  • went to a lot of trouble but it was worth it
    author: A taylor

    A friend came to me to see if I could get this CD on line as it is not available in this country he went to a lot of trouble so I know it was well worth the trouble he went to.

  • Love it!
    author: taki76 http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/taki76

    This cd is amazing! Check out my funk 2.Thanks http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/taki76

  • Beautiful Flower soars strait to top contender status for 2004 album of the year
    author: Scott Galloway/The Urban Network Magazine

    With it’s inspiring messages, pan-musical arc and Ayanna Gregory’s amazing voice, Beautiful Flower soars strait to top contender status for 2004 album of the year. Ayanna is the daughter of the ubiquitous comedian turned inspirational speaker Dick Gregory. She takes after her father in her search for truth and the essence of self, and translates those soul searching journeys into some beautiful material that spans epically across musical genres. The 14-track CD opens with a poem about self discovery then drops into the truly transcendental “Far Away,” filled with lush vocal harmonies, harps, and a gentle club pulse. It’s followed by the title track “Beautiful Flower” anchored by a children’s chorus and several rhymes filled with love and respect for the Black woman by rapper Optimus. Next is the prayerful acoustic love song “Loving You Is Everything” (a duet with singer/guitarist K’Alyn), followed by an incredibly moving rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Feeding Off The Love Of The Land” (she later covers Wonder’s “They Won’t Go”). Meanwhile “Warriors Rise,” a stern challenge to today’s male youth, features fiery spoken words from her father. And Ayanna conjures the reverent spirit of Donny Hathaway in her original “You Are Free.” This album is about what James Brown once defined as “a revolution of the mind” and should be required listening for everyone in this crucial election year… especially the youth.

  • Ayanna's musical talent is an awesome thing of beauty.
    author: Ronnie Priest

    Beautiful Flower is an accurate description of both the artist and her music. The selections on the cd reflect a musical gift being shared with the listener. Take the time to check out I Am Here, Bautiful Flower, and Thank You to get an indication of the cd's creative energy. Having listened to the cd, it is difficult to deny its reflective peace.

  • Tonya Lea
    author: Amanda (Amy) Marr

    I just want to find out if the Tonya Lea who wrote the above review is the Tonya Lea who was my childhood friend, in Northern Michigan, and if so I'd like to try to get ahold of you, somehow. my email is amyanda2000@yahoo.com.

  • An inspirational piece of art. Soulful, powerful and thought provoking.
    author: Crystal El

    This album is an inspirational piece of art. Soulful, powerful and thought provoking. If you want to hear a positive message and great music, then this cd is a must!

  • Phenomenal Woman with a Phenomenal Voice....
    author: Mia Miata

    Wow!!!! What else can I say? Incredible voice with an incredible message. Like a Phoenix, the album took me to higher and higher plateaus. Thank you, Ayanna for a powerful, unfitting, and stellar effort.

  • A stunning debut, with a richness that's simply mindblowing!
    author: Dusty Grooves

    Incredibly spiritual soul from Ayanna Gregory -- a stunning debut, with a richness that's simply mindblowing! Ayanna's got a musical vision that stretches way past the simple themes of some of her soul music contemporaries -- pushing for a righteous vision that embraces a world of peace and beauty, hitting themes of the sort that we've come to love from the group Fertile Ground, who are contemporaries of Ayanna's on the Maryland scene. The production is tremendous -- not just beats and keys, but a sophisticated approach that also brings in strings, vocal choruses, and other elements that help elevate the music to a level that matches the message! The righteousness of the album's no surprise, considering that Ayanna's the daughter of activist Dick Gregory -- who makes an appearance on one track on the set -- but Ayanna's vision is a bit different than that of her father, and is expressed here in incredibly beautiful terms -- far more redemptive than prescriptive!

  • I think the CD is very, very nice and i enjoice listening to it.
    author: Douglas Muhammad

    I love conscious tone and realness of the words and the music.

  • WOW !!!!!!
    author: Tonya Lea

    A sound Healing-so refreshing -I looooove this cd -much love

  • Live u get a 10 from me
    author: Charlie

    I went to hear her live on 12/12/03 in PG Plaza Mall in Maryland....She has a beautiful voice...This is coming someone who sings as well....the energy she has and the feelings she puts into her songs...it was OUTSTANDING....I was hoping to cross paths with her again...I wished I had stayed and chatted with her afterwards...I wish you (Ayanna) all the hope and success with your CD and career......U did your thing when u hit that Donnie Halfaway *sp* song....

  • Soulfully powerful voice, lyrics, music...
    author: Lasana

    Beautiful Flower is an awesome collection of music, from start to finish. Ayanna's voice is so beautifully rich and soulful, and touches the higher aspects of my being with creative, insightful, positive and spiritual lyrics, weaved into wonderfully dynamic and melodious musical compositions. The hip-hop and up-tempo pieces are superb, and deliver timely messages. But I was particularly moved by the ballads, with Ayanna's golden voice singing scintillating lead lyrics and sweet, well-placed background vocals supported by high-quality, multi-dimensional keyboard sounds. This CD represents the power of high-level music--music that reaches deep inside and takes your soul gently by the hand and leads you on a journey to a wonderful place.

  • A BEAUTIFUL and MASTERFUL WORK OF ART
    author: Jannette Price

    I love the CD and the positive lyrical content. Very thought provoking!! One of my favorite songs is definitely Changes. It's brilliant. I certainly will the best for Ayanna and may she be picked up by a major label.

  • Brilliant, beautiful and bountiful, the flower has bloomed!
    author: Rosina Riley

    Ayanna Gregory's music is intensely captivating and her voice is masterfully magnificent. The girl is good, she takes spirituality to the next level encompassing history, culture and hiphop. Those moved by music will love it as I do.

  • Essential Soul
    author: Steve Johnson

    Had to buy this album after hearing Far Away at www.soulwalking.co.uk, this track is a future classic and one of my favourites of the year. After listening to the cd I also adore Changes, Phoenix and Loving You is Everything.So much feeling and emotion in Ayanna`s voice. Thanks Ayanna for an excellent piece of work. Would have given your cd five stars but for me the tracks Beautiful Flower and I Am Here ruined by an annoying rap had to press the skip button, sorry!

  • She conveys a depth of emotion and range that allows her to be heard on subjects
    author: seeingblack.com

    On the Fly: When vocalist Ayanna Gregory rocked D.C.'s Blues Alley recently, she displayed a stylistic versatility that carried her effortlessly from jazz to funk to freedom songs. She conveys a depth of emotion and range that allows her to be heard on subjects far and beyond the latest hot or tired flame. She recently released her debut CD titled "Beautiful Flower" and—not that we care about bloodlines—yes she is Dick Gregory's baby girl.

  • Nina Simone of modern day? meaningful lyrics with jazzy/organic soul sound!

    Nina Simone of modern day? meaningful lyrics with jazzy/organic soul sound!

  • I cannot recommend this releases highly enough.
    author: Toby Walker

    Ayanna has a voice that could be compared somewhere between Aretha's and...well...Des'ree's delivery, if that makes any sense. I bought this album from CD Baby, where you can stream other tracks. The song 'Changes' is proof to any cynic that Soul Music is alive as well in 2003. Pure, and right from the roots. If any of you guys liked the Gerry Devaux and Angie Stone collaborations from around seven years back, you will love the song 'Far Away', which had me reaching for the electronic chequebook straight away! Ayanna has a lovely voice. My wife remarked as much, and she has a great ear for Soul Music. Higher praise could not be bestowed on this exciting new soul songstress from the Walker household! Hope she gets a deal for this fine release. I cannot recommend this releases highly enough.

  • Profound
    author: leesah

    Profound and Spiritual... Thankyou Ayanna

  • WOW! Very talented, spirtual and refreshing. Hope to be hearing more from Ayanna
    author: mtl
  • BRE's Album Of The Week/ A brilliant work of R&B and Neo-Soul!
    author: Sidney Miller-Black Radio Exclusive Magazine

    June 13, 2003 issue of Black Radio Exclusive Magazine Album Of The Week! As the daughter of comedian/political activist/famed nutritionist, Dick Gregory, Ayanna Gregory has always been surounded by greatness, but now she plans to make a name for herself with her debut album, Beautiful Flower. Her Album is a brilliant work of R&B and neo-soul that she helped produce along with James McKinney. What really stands out about her vocals besides her beautiful flower of a voice is the wonderfully harmonious vocal arrangement. At times there will be what seems like more than a half dozen of her, each singing different melodies and notes, but all contributing to the sum of the vocals as a whole. On the album's title track, "Beautiful Flower," Ayanna combines her sultry vocals with rapped vocals from Optimus and then with a full chior on the hook, going somewhere that few artist have gone. With a lot of heavy instrumentation of guitars on the album, her sound can definately be compared to an India Arie, especially on tracks like the acoustic guitar driven, "Loving You Is Everything." Ayanna skillfully covers two Stevie Wonder tracks on the album, really standing out on her rendition of "Feeding Off The Love Of The Land." Her presentation of Stevie's "They Won't Go" is a truly great track on the album. Beautiful Flower is an amazing introduction to the wonderful talents of Ayanna Gregory.

  • Breath taking! Takes you to another level mentally and spiritually!
    author: Brother Gary

    Wow! The only thing I can say is that Sister Ayanna will go into the regions of your mind and take you to places that you have not been before. Get this one for your collection or you will regret it if you don't. I'm telling you, don't sleep on this one! Peace

  • BRILLIANT! MOVING! SPIRITED!
    author: donnamariasmith

    brilliant lyrics, moving messages, and spirited energy encompass the songs, soul and class of this cd. i haven't felt this way about a cd release since Lauryn Hill's solo debut. a day does not go by without the need to hear the voices, feel the energy and inhale the messages of BEAUTIFUL FLOWER! congratulations, the Ancestors are PROUD!!!

  • Beautiful Flower is SUPERB and truly BEAUTFUL! A MASTERPIECE!!
    author: John Amber

    Beautiful Flower is in the top 5 of all albums I have ever bought. It is a breath of fresh air clearing away the stench of negativity being pushed in the mainstream media. I can't believe this is an independent project! This is SUPERB and truly BEAUTFUL. A Masterpiece!! Thank you Ayanna Gregory for this blessing of song!

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