Janelle Gill

Recorded on 12/30/21

Pianist Janelle Gill celebrates the fifth day of Kwanzaa, Nia, with a program of music that explores the idea of personal and collective purpose.

Janelle Gill began piano instruction at the age of 5. As a middle school student, Janelle was introduced to jazz by Delfeayo Marsalis when he performed a workshop at her school. She continued her studies at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts with saxophonist Davey Yarborough, and at Howard University under the tutelage of Dr. Raymond Jackson and Charles Covington. Janelle has performed with Oliver Lake, The Blackbyrds, Delfeayo Marsalis, David Murray and many local artists. She can be heard on recordings by Kenny Rittenhouse, Mauro Marcondes, Kris Funn and Will Smith. Currently Janelle teaches piano and is working on writing and preparing music for her debut recording.

“Kwanzaa is the celebration of African heritage in African American culture that spans a week. Each day focuses on a specific aspect of African culture to lift up the African American community. Nia means purpose and is the focus of day five. The idea is to embolden the participant to “make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.”

Streaming cost is $15

Donations are welcomed