Today we’d like to introduce you to Myrna Clayton – America’s Songbird.
Just back from Namibia (Southwest Africa) where she and her band “The Myrna Clayton Experience” represented American music for cultural exchange on behalf of the US State Dept. for the US Embassy in Namibia, America’s Songbird and now a Cultural Ambassador, Myrna Clayton has traveled globally performing and causing audiences to sing and dance along with her in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, Germany, France, UK, Nigeria, Russia, Belarus now Namibia and cities across the US.
A trained musician and singer since the age of 5 at her father’s church, Myrna is a graduate of Atlanta Public School’s Northside High School of the Performing Arts, has a BS degree from Alabama A&M University. and an MBA from Atlanta University. Leaving a successful corporate Marketing career, Myrna transitioned to a music career with gifted skills to score an impressive repertoire and showcase her multi-octave vocal instrument. America’s Songbird was tagged “The Maynard Ferguson of Jazz vocals” by a Jazz orchestra conductor in Kazan, Russia. Myrna showcases her versatility across a broad mix of American music from Jazz to Soul, Gospel to Pop and R&B…all to the delight of her audiences. Whether performing for a few or many…with her band or big bands like Westside Winds Jazz Orchestra, Myrna invigorates the audience to join in the fun.
Two things near and dear to Myrna’s heart are: 1) multi-cultural exchange through music for which she started Atlanta’s first every monthly cultural exchange event called Atlanta Jazz: INTERNATIONAL Sounds Series featuring International artists based in Atlanta, and 2) showcasing talented performing artists across the disability spectrum in theatres through her nonprofit ABEL2, Inc. providing access for audiences with disabilities. People with disabilities represent the largest minority population in the US (20%) and is the only minority group that anyone can join at any time.
Nothing compares to Live performances of Cultural Ambassador and America’s Songbird Myrna Clayton!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
While I would not change a thing, my career path in the music industry has had many challenges including:
– transitioning from a paycheck every two weeks to not! (LOL)
– life circumstance requiring me to be the caregiver of my now 88 year-old mother while managing an international music career
– the changes in the music industry
– me being above 30 (divorced with a daughter) when starting a music career… realizing that commercial music is mostly for 16-25-year-olds
– managing multiple careers and income streams
– Choosing the path less taken in the music industry…going where the door is open internationally and performing where I am appreciated, not tolerated!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about CedarTree Worldwide – what should we know? What do you do?
America’s Songbird Myrna Clayton is booked through CedarTree Worldwide LLC. CedarTree Worldwide is an international artist development and production company. We work with singers and songwriter of all ages and abilities. We provide vocal/performance coaching, show development, show production, and business consulting.
What do you specialize in?
I specialize in Entertainment and Hospitality
What are you known for?
I am known for Great Entertainment and Audience engagement – Good time for all: singing and dancing along
What are you most proud of as a company?
As a company, CedarTree Worldwide is most proud of our stance on valuing differences and audience connectivity. We recognize that human beings worldwide are more alike than we are different. Music is universal and embraces the uniqueness of each individual instrument/voicing across cultures.
What sets America’s Songbird Myrna Clayton apart from others?
At the core, I am an entertainer. I love variety and engagement. In my shows, I have outfit changes, feature my musicians with solos regularly, invite my audience to sing along with me, or go out into the audience to dance with fans – a rare thing in theatre settings! I’m often told that dancing in the aisles has never been done before, especially in historic theatres like the DESOTO in Rome, Morton Theatre in Athens, or Roswell Cultural Arts Theatre. (HAHAHA!)
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First, my fans and supporters around the globe.
Next, I stand on the shoulders of many artists: Nancy Wilson, Minnie Riperton, Duke Ellington, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Dianna Ross, Roberta Flack and Mavis Staples, etc.
My father who taught me to love Jazz and Gospel. When my father played his trumpet, it was apparent he left this earthly plain for a moment and went someplace heavenly. Jazz and Gospel go together to me.
My team – especially my agent, Jibri “Jay” Jones, my daughter Maia Miller, my music producers: Avery Johnson and Marcus Williams and of course my touring band “The Myrna Clayton Experience” whose members have overtime included: Marcus Williams (drums), Jody Mayfield (keys), William Mayfield (keys), Tyrone Jackson (keys), Philip Adair (keys), Joel Powell (bass), Thomas Blalock Jr. (bass), Ron James (sax), and Gary Harris (sax).
Contact Info:
- Address: 964 R.D. Abernathy Blvd #C-20
Atlanta, GA 30310 - Website: www.MyrnaClayton.com
- Phone: 404.482-2209
- Email: CedarTreeWorldwide@gmail.com
- Facebook: TheMyrnaClaytonExperience
- Twitter: SingMyrnaSing
Image Credit:
Note: There a lots more photos on my website for you to select the one you like the best.
Top photo of Myrna – Donna McMichen (I don’t have the credits for the other artists)
Band photo – Gary Harris
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