soul music american indian story telling style

5 MP3 Songs
URBAN/R&B: Soul, BLUES: Blues Vocals



Details:
A North American Indian woman and soulful singer blends the classic sounds of Jazz with the earthiness of the Blues and delivers it with a prolific storytelling ending.
Born and raised in the Chicago area, the youngest of seven brothers and five sisters, Starlight was musically influenced by great artists like Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, Ma Rainey and Nina Simone. Later, she took her talents to the Eastern Coast of Long Island, NY and more recently, New York City.

Her training began at the age of six, when she crooned in the church choir with her siblings. Her discipline continued throughout high school and into college where she met and was "taken under the wing" of esteemed musical director, Lanny Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe is noted for "More Than Wonderful," a Dove Award recipient which he wrote and was performed by Sandi Patti. Mr. Wolfe, primarily a gospel composer, worked closely with Starlight during her studies at Jackson School of Music in Jackson, Mississippi. She joined Mr. Wolfe in a chorale of recorded performers and later toured the Southern Belt.

This young and very beautiful vocalist blends a smooth melodic voice with a powerful soul wrenching sound that is unique within the field of musical performance. Audiences are first struck by the dazzling and exotic appearance of this Cherokee-Aztec Indian and are then mesmerized by her unforgettable vocal talents. Starlight has thrilled and delighted a myriad of audiences with performances at the Village Gate in NYC and various clubs on the East End of Long Island. Most notably the Stephen Talk House where she has collaborated with Dan Beckers Mighty Task Force and released her first compilation CD. "I was truly moved," is but a small example of what audiences have revealed upon hearing Starlight Tyler perform.

Starlight holds a special place in her heart for young children, especially those less fortunate. She has loaned her talents to numerous benefits aiding underprivileged children, most recently performing on behalf of Hip For Kids. This live performance was held on the grounds of historic Marcus Garvey Park in East Harlem as a featured part of The Big Apple Harvest in 2003.

Starlight's late father Joe, a sage elder from the Cherokee Nation, was of a preaching mind and studied the bible with much fervor (hence Romans 8:28). He imparted an ideology with his teachings that Starlight infuses in her prolific words of inspiration and unique phrasing abilities.

"There is no such thing as I can't but I will do all the things through the Creator which is my only strength." âJoe, Sage Elder of the Cherokee Nation

Recently, Starlight has found herself once again in the company of fellow writers and Native American performers including John Trudell, from whom she has embraced knowledge and again has found deeper places to express what her soul is destined to accomplish.