In these disheartening, divisive times, Nadia Washington offers inspiration in her jazzy, soulful new tune, “Hope Resurgence.”
A singer songwriter from Dallas who currently lives in Brooklyn and teaches at Boston’s esteemed Berklee School of Music, Washington has previously performed with Esperanza Spalding, Lalah Hathaway, and George Duke.
She was backup singer and songwriter on Diane Reeves’ 2014 Beautiful Life which won a Grammy for best jazz vocals. More recently, Washington was part of this summer’s Blue Note compilation, Revive Music Presents Supreme Sonacy Vo. 1, writing and performing alongside Ray Angry of the Roots.
For “Hope Resurgence,” which we’re happy to be premiering here today, Washington adds elements of world music and touches of classic R&B to the kind of jazzy inflection she brought to her earlier EP “Singles.” It’s a light and fresh sound that has its footing in jazzy classics and a voice that is certainly welcome in a time of dire unrest.
Washington likes to quote the words of Ella Fitzgerald to her Berklee students: “Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” Listening to “Hope Resurgence,” you may actually feel your own hope re-emerging.
