Rashida Jolley Explained

Rashida Jolley is an American harpist who uses her traditionally classical music instrument in hip-hop, R&B, and pop music.[1] Jolley also writes her own songs, fusing many different genres together.

Biography

Jolley grew up in Washington, D.C. during which she attended Christian schools and was homeschooled for her last few years of high school.[2] Her father, Noble Jolley Sr., was a jazz guitarist who taught all of his seven children how to play and perform.[3] Jolley says that her mother first chose the harp for her, but she says that it "was love at first sight."[4] Rashida Jolley began singing in her church choir when she was seven and was playing the harp at the DC Youth Orchestra Program (DCYOP) when she was ten. She is a graduate of Nyack College with a bachelor's degree in history.[5]

Career

In 1997, when she participated in her first Miss D.C. pageant, she was nicknamed "Baby Diva."[6] Jolley represented Washington, D.C. in the Miss America Pageant in 2000. In 2004, she was on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and a speaker with the Project Reality abstinence education group.[7] She also released her first CD, "Love is Not a Game" in 2004.[8]

Jolley competed on America's Got Talent in 2009. Jolley played harp for Lady Gaga on her 2010-2011 Monster Ball World Tour.[9] The Washington Post called Jolley a "head-banging harpist."[10] Jolley released her second album in 2011, titled "There's No One Else Like You."[11] She partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of DC in an anti-bullying program in 2013.[12]

Jolley has also performed on the BET Rap It Up Tour and at the Ludacris Foundation's Tribute to Quincy Jones.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: For Rashinda Jolley, A Harp to Make More Than Music. 19 April 2012. NPR. 9 January 2016.
  2. News: Checking Out the Competition: Is Miss America Our Ideal?. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118102724/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-555596.html. dead. 18 November 2018. Rosenfeld. Megan. 14 October 2000. The Washington Post. 9 January 2016.
  3. Web site: Rashida Jolley - Harpist. 9 January 2016. East Coast Entertainment.
  4. Rashida Jolley. Boussard. Kenneth. April 2011. Ebony. 9 January 2016. subscription . 66. EBSCO. 6. 66.
  5. News: Miss D.C. Delivers Message of Abstinence. https://web.archive.org/web/20160310122012/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-106717D039F55849.html. dead. 10 March 2016. Giradi. Linda. 1 November 2004. The Beacon News. 9 January 2016.
  6. News: Miss D.C.'s Return: A Crowning Moment. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121020442/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-721839.html. dead. 21 November 2018. Parker. Lonnae O'Neal. 23 June 1997. The Washington Post. 9 January 2016 .
  7. News: Bush to Tap AIDS Panel Chiefs Soon. https://web.archive.org/web/20160314003119/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-82069601.html. dead. 14 March 2016. Wetzstein. Cheryl. 23 January 2002. The Washington Times. 9 January 2016.
  8. Web site: Where Are They Now?. 10 January 2016. Miss District of Columbia.
  9. News: Rashida Jolley on Touring With Lady Gaga and Being an R&B Diva/Harpist. Stewart. Allison. 31 January 2012. The Washington Post. 9 January 2016.
  10. News: In Concert: Lady Gaga at Verizon Center. Richards. Chris. 8 September 2016. The Washington Post. 9 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20101113190701/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/09/in_concert_lady_gaga_at_verizo.html. 13 November 2010.
  11. Web site: Rashida Jolley Party. 1 July 2011. 10 January 2016. Gaga Front Row.
  12. News: Boys and Girls Club Partners with Lady Gaga Harpist Rashida Jolley to End Bullying. 11 November 2013. The Washington Informer. 10 January 2016.
  13. Web site: Harpist, singer Rashida Jolley to perform at Arts and Humanities Festival. 14 August 2013. 10 January 2016. Hill Rag. Monroe. Steve.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Rashida Jolley".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.