Brenda Craven
Rocky Ford, Colorado is home to Brenda Craven, a musician who crafts stunning examples of jazz, gospel and electronica. Her versatility is a mark of her ability and she provides the proper degree of soulfulness for each style and executes them all with joy and verve.
Blood
the doctors are wrong. Blood doesn't run through everyone's veins. There are some people who, if they needed a transfusion, would require shelf music. Craven is such a person. "Music is my life. It's in my blood. Both my mother and uncle were professional musicians, so I grew up with a heavy exposure to it," says Craven.
What Lies Beneath
A person could technically take a string of notes that forms a melody and toss in some beats, slap it on a CD and call it music. But, that wouldn't be entirely true. The true heart of music is found in the passion, such as that of Craven. "Music is more than just a rhythm and notes. It's a way of expressing your feelings, your emotions. It allows others to experience your joy, your pain, your sorrow, your love, and your message on a much higher leverl...and can definitely break the barriers. Music is ultimately the universal language."
True To Self
Another vital part of musical greatness is artistic integrity. It requires emotional honesty and intimate self-expression to find the fullness of music's thriving lifeblood. "Music should be who you are...not what others want you to be!!!" Because Craven stays so true to herself and doesn't hold back when it comes to self-expression, her music rings with a power rarely felt in the musical world.
For Love of Music
Obviously, love - true love - of music is another required quality of the finest musical artists. These are the people that seek not only their own success, but who rejoice at the achievements of other musicians because they know it means that music continues to thrive and grow in the world. "Seeing other artists succeed inspires me." Craven also cites family as a motivator in her creative process. "Influences are, or course, my mother, my uncle - who was a drummer with Jay McShann...and all artists have influenced me in some way."
Music
Craven has completed a smooth jazz CD called "Origins", which was released in 2004. She is at work on several new projects at this time.
Review
The finest music pulses with passion and purity. Having said that, one must recognize just how strong is the heartbeat of Brenda Craven's work.