Flutist Amber Underwood desires the flute to have extra of its day within the highlight. Typically thought-about an auxiliary instrument, her jazz solos are full of a uncooked edginess that showcases the great thing about the wind instrument all by itself. “I play authentic songs, up to date soul, clean jazz, R&B and pop songs,” she tells EBONY. “My music is wealthy and clean with simply sufficient grit to present the flute a contemporary sound and to draw a brand new viewers of listeners.”
Right here Underwood shares how her father’s love of jazz drew her to the style and what it means to be “Flutienastiness.”
EBONY: When and why did you’re taking up the flute?
Amber Underwood: Once I first took up the flute in fifth grade, I didn’t essentially need to play the flute, however I did need to be within the band. On the time, my father would play music in the home: Motown Soul, R&B and Jazz. I might usually ask him about an instrument I heard within the music. He advised me I used to be listening to the saxophone, so from that second on I wished to play the saxophone identical to I used to be listening to on these information.
So how did you get to the flute?
We might be part of the band at college as soon as we had been in fifth grade, and I instantly advised the instructor I wished to play the saxophone. However they advised me no and that I ought to play the flute or the clarinet as a substitute. I didn’t need to play the clarinet, so I made a decision to attempt the flute as a result of my pals had been additionally taking part in the flute, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Inform us about your album.
It is known as That is Me. This album touches on all of my emotions and life journeys and is an inside look into Amber “Flutienastiness” Underwood as an individual past the stage. This album is for all the feminine artists and musicians who’ve been criticized or not accepted with regards to their work, artwork or music and felt like they did not belong. This Is Me is my testimony that every one issues are potential and to not be scared to create your individual lane.
What do you say to individuals who cannot envision a Black girl taking part in the flute?
I might inform individuals who can’t envision a Black girl taking part in the flute to shut their eyes, hearken to the music and let the flute do all of the speaking. I’m not right here for these whose views are rooted in ignorance. Devices weren’t made for just one explicit group or race. I do know there must be extra illustration of artists like myself. I see my position as an artist is to maintain taking part in and to interrupt down these obstacles and partitions not just for artists however flute and musical organizations, symphonies, orchestras, conservatories, music faculties, flute manufacturers, corporations, music academics and all the opposite stereotypes which might be placed on the instrument.
Any encouraging phrases for future Black flutists?
I encourage my fellow Black flutists to embrace who they’re and the instrument they play. The colours of the flute carry out the richness of being a Black musician. It offers us the benefit of making a lane in a manner few have been capable of discover, and it permits us to be trendsetters. Embrace being distinctive and unapologetic about your Blackness, tradition, expertise, musicality and musicianship to grow to be the final word “Flutienastiness” participant!
