Maysa Interview Page 4

Jazz Monthly:  Yes.

Maysa:  Because I need a man, I want a man who’s strong and who walks tall and who’s a decent and caring person and who knows his responsibility and does the best he can to take care of that responsibility, and won’t walk away when he’s just kinda frustrated or something like that.  And it’s all relative because people may choose the wrong person or that kind of stuff, but my whole thing is to get the family values back together where people eat dinner together again, go sit down and have a meal together, even just once a week they all get together.  Every night would be ideal, that kids and parents eat together and see their parents are together, that everybody eats dinner together…I just think that’s a beautiful thing.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes it is.

Maysa:  And I just hope—I always want that kind of thing back.  So I know the controversy will be like “Oh, Maysa, she’s just begging for a man.”  That’s not it.  I’m asking God for a man who has those values, who’s ready to love me, because I’m not gonna share nobody husband  because I’ve never been that kind of woman.  I have faith in myself so much in my life because I refuse to compromise, I refuse to share other people’s men.  You know, that’s ridiculous to me.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes it is.

Maysa:  And, you know, I would rather just stay alone.

Jazz Monthly:  Yeah, and I love that because what I feel in that song as well as every track on this project is that it’s the epitome of the freedom of expression through music and it’s a revelation of your heart and soul.

Maysa:  Mm-hmm.

Jazz Monthly:  And I think that’s so beautiful and that you articulated that through music not in a controversial way but in a way of expressing it not only from your heart but capturing the hearts of others.

Maysa:  Right, right.

Jazz Monthly:  It’s a beautiful way of doing it and I think you really did it so well.  And I gotta tell ya, the band of support that you have, these cats can burn.  You have some great musicians around you.  Just talk a little bit about some of the musicians that you’re working with right now that support you so well.

Maysa:  I’ve worked with great musicians in my life as far as like my bands for Baltimore or D.C. area, but I have a great new band out of Philly with Charles Baldwin, the bass player.  He played bass on Emeril Live and was in the show.  Walt Brock, music director, plays with Najee.  I mean, everybody.  He plays with so many musicians.  But he’s got him a whole band out of Philly just about now and they are just—these musicians love me.  They take care of me, they care of me musically and they watch out for me off stage too.

Jazz Monthly:  That’s so cool.

Maysa:  I feel very protected all the way around, you know?

Jazz Monthly:  Oh yeah.

Maysa:  Very safe.  Yeah, I’ve been working with—the stars, the celebrities, the people I’ve been working with—Nick Colionne and Najee and Incognito and so many great musicians who have taught me so much about the music and being a singer, the business of music, and about, honestly, when I watch Nick Colionne play, he is Nick Colionne.  There’s nobody like him.

Jazz Monthly:  That’s right.

Maysa:  You know?  There’s absolutely—there’s nobody that sounds like him, that looks like him, that has the personality on stage like him, and I love that because that’s just so real and he’s not trying to be nobody else, he’s being himself, and I always wish for him—he’s just such a star, man.  I’m so in awe of him.  Him and Najee—and Najee’s just been playing with us for so long, he’s such a consummate musician, and it’s like I’m so blessed when I get these people who are kinda like friends.  And Mike Phillips just called me to play with him on a concert.  It’s like it is unbelievable that people are calling me now and things are coming to fruition where I’ve just been blessed with so many great musicians to be surrounded by and to be looked after by.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes indeed.  Well, they appreciate the real person you are and the great artist that you are, so that’s confirmation basically when you think about it. 

Maysa:  It’s earth moving.

Jazz Monthly:  So now talk to me about the record.  How can people get it?  When does it drop?

Maysa:  It drops Tuesday, October 14th.  It’s gonna be available, of course, online and at Best Buy and Circuit City and I’m sure some of the mom and pop shops around town, and I’m really excited about it.  I just feel in my heart this is my best record ever and I just hope that people really embrace it and I hope it does what it’s gonna do.  I just hope God really blesses it.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes, and I think you should carry a couple in your purse because I think wherever you go people are gonna be asking you can they get that record.  (Both laugh.)

Maysa:  Yeah, you know, I think I will.

Jazz Monthly:  Well, Maysa, you know how much I love you and love what you do.

Maysa:  Thanks, Smitty.

Jazz Monthly:  And I’m just so ecstatic that you’ve got this great record coming out and I wish you all the best with it as well, and please keep doing what you do, girl, because you are well respected, well loved.

Maysa:  Aw.

Jazz Monthly: And I can’t wait to see the next live show myself.

Maysa:  Oh, it’s gonna be great.  I’m doing everything in my power to get to Houston or get to Texas a lot, so it’ll be soon.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes indeed, my friend.  Well, all right, so we look forward to seeing you out on the road and thanks again for making this great record for so many people around the world and big ups to you, and I’m just so happy for you.

Maysa:  Oh, thank you, Smitty.  I really appreciate it.

Jazz Monthly:  We have been talking to the incredible, the eloquent, the effervescent Ms. Maysa Leak.  Her great new record is called Metamorphosis, it hits the stores October 14th, and I’m gonna give you a piece of advice:  if you really love the groove and you really love the fantastic vocals of music, you have to have this record.  Maysa, thanks again.  All the best to you in 2008 and beyond, my friend.

Maysa:  Oh, thank you, sweetheart.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.maysa.com and www.myspace.com/mleak