With so much going on in society today, there are very few places the mind can go to get complete calm. Today’s entertainment seems to use over-the-top themes in order to draw an audience. So, it’s almost impossible to find something that can be rewarding, entertaining, and calming at the same time.
Well, look no further because The Sistering has accomplished the very thing that every soul needs. Created by Lenora Helm, Nnenna Freelon, Kate McCarry, and Lois Deloatch, the four women have joined forces in a jazz group that blends amazing storytelling with beautiful compositions.
The Sistering captures the pure magic that unfolds when four accomplished jazz artists come together to uplift and inspire one another — on and off stage. This in-the-making collection features eleven powerful compositions: two penned by each artist, two co-written, and one imaginative reworking of a beloved jazz standard.
Though still in progress, the music already reveals a beautifully interconnected journey through themes of family, love, loss, and badassery — rendering the project both as a memoir and a cultural mirror.
Infused with soul, folk, funk, and spoken word, The Sistering ventures across wide musical terrain, with improvisation at its heart. Song titles like “Combat Boots and Glass Slippers” by Lenora, “Circle” by Kate, “Follow the Stream” by Lois, and “A Brother Just Like You” by Nnenna hint at the emotional depth and narrative spirit behind the music.
As it continues to take shape, the project stands as a vibrant testament to the power of creative alliance — and it needs the support of those who love (and will come to love) the group and their music to be fully realized.
“Because we all live in the same zip code, we have known each other for years. So, we were all together one day and we organically decided that we should come together, form one group, and blends our talents,” Deloatch said.
That blend of talent has created the group, The Sistering. The meaning behind the name carries a double meaning. It’s first meaning obviously defines the four ladies’ choice to collaborate. The second meaning makes the name behind the group that much more special.
“I come from a construction family, and I hear that term being used all the time in my house,” Freelon said. “Sistering in construction means the joining of two beams that work together to balance the load of a structure, so it kind of worked for us, too.”
And it works perfectly. When you first hear the ladies’ merged talents blended together, you are immediately reminded of another era of music — music from a time when it was not about dancing or noise. The music went deeper. Their music harkens back to a time when music told stories and made you feel something. It’s up to you what you feel, but The Sistering songs purposefully slow your mind down to the point where you actually listen to the words.
For those old enough to understand, the music begins to feed your soul. For many people, the music will resonate at a level where they didn’t know their souls needed to hear it. There is something calming and nurturing that comes when listening to The Sistering.
“The Sistering is an interplay of ‘me’ and ‘we.’ We each composed two individual songs for the project and co-wrote ‘Origins’ and ‘River Song.’ New soulful artistic ground is broken as we explore themes of family, love, and loss,” McCarry said.
“We didn’t attempt to be anything but authentic when we decided to work together.” Helm, explained. “We knew together that we could create something wonderful and honor the decades of music we all have performed over time.”
The ladies’ music reminds you of going to visit grandma and sitting on the porch and hearing about the history of the family and the times when life was simple. At the same time, you get the feeling of sitting in a smoke-filled jazz club, dimly lit with one candle on the table, while sitting next to your favorite person and having the experience of a lifetime.
The joining of forces is so special all women should feel proud of what The Sistering means.
“Us coming together is applicable to all people. It’s not just a feminine thing, it’s a human thing,” Freelon said.
The women understand the power that comes from combining their talents into one unique voice. It symbolizes what everyone needs right now.
The ladies would like to make a documentary of their journey together due to the significance of what they’ve been able to accomplish. For music lovers, you’ll not have to wait for that, you can enjoy their music as you seek them out online, and eventually, when they come to a venue near you. A special group for a needed time in music.
Find out more at: https://sisteringproject.com/home
