The California Jazz Foundation Honors Patrice Rushen

Patrice Rushen working hard in the studio. Photo courtesy of Bob Barry

By Shaquille Woods | April 11, 2019

IN 1982, RADIO STATIONS ACROSS THE whose musical knowledge extends far as a singer, but also as a composer, writer, world were blasting the bass heavy song beyond the microphone. and producer cemented her name as “Forget Me Nots.” Just a decade later, Patrice Rushen started her musical one of music’s most dynamic musicians. Will Smith sampled the hit song for his journey by perfecting her craft as a On Saturday April 6, the California Jazz chart topping “Men In Black” soundtrack. classically trained pianist. Those skills Foundation (CJF) recently recognized The mastermind behind some of music’s made her a force of nature within the those accomplishments by granting her biggest contributions came from a woman music industry. Her versatility not only the prestigious Nica award. The award is given to those who exemplify the legacy as valid as someone who wants to be a of Baroness Ponnica de Koenigswarter. lawyer or accountant. There is a societal Rushen, who’s also a chair at the Popular bias that doesn’t quite understand the Music Program at the University of process. As artists we are really insecure Southern California, spoke to the Los people. That’s why we play. Angeles Sentinel about her career and the drive to teach the next generation LS: Did you ever find yourself insecure of musicians. while working in the music industry as a black woman? How did you overcome Los Angeles Sentinel (LS): You’ve had that? such a successful career as a talented PR: Well it took a while. Looking back musician. How do you carry that talent on it now I realize how those valuable into your teaching? experiences helped me. I came from a Patrice Rushen (PR): I just love all the community of people who were supportive. different aspects and still do. I’m still As long as I could play the instrument, teaching, writing, performing, and touring. they didn’t care if a girl was playing. I You kind of transfer a certain amount of Patrice Rushen is a classically trained also had support from my family. I had energy from one thing to another. One pianist. Photo courtesy of Bob Barry millions of examples of powerful women of the increasing benefits of the various around me. experiences I’ve had is how I can relate sometimes is the confidence to understand it to my musical students. that if you are called as a creative or artist, LS: What do you want your students to this is something you must do. leave with when they finish? LS: Speaking of your students, what is LS: Can you elaborate on that? PR: What they need to know is that something they have and something they PR: Sure. For example, you might be they are part of a lineage. In order to could improve upon? around a lot of people that have a particular create and expound on something, you PR: What they have is immense talent! viewpoint on artistry. They may look at it have to understand where it came from. And they also have pretty great instincts as a hobby and not a career. That’s what You must look back before you move about what they want. What they lack we have to correct. Your “why” is equally forward.