Straight Ahead have paid their dues
By Greg Dunmore (Detroit News - 1999)
(Edited for this webpage)
The all-female jazz ensemble Straight
Ahead is one of Detroit's most intriguing tales of glory. Formed in
1989 by pianist/singer Miche Braden, five of our town's most promising and
highly skilled jazz musicians joined forces as Straight Ahead. Keyboardist
Eileen Orr, bassist Marion Hayden, drummer Gayelynn McKinney,
violinist Regina Carter and vocalist Braden were individually stunning and
a rich rarity collectively -- hard-hitting female jazz cats. Their
accomplishments were highlighted by being signed (although Braden had left
and was replaced by Cynthia Dewberry) to Atlantic Jazz, a label of
international importance.
Amazingly, they didn't have to leave home to get their
big break. After signing with Atlantic and receiving a media push in
publications from Vogue Magazine to the Washington
Post, Straight Ahead was expected to become a household
name. It didn't happen the way it should have.
Straight Ahead recorded three albums with Atlantic.
They gained a larger audience as they performed around the globe, but they
still haven't become big-name jazz divas making mega bucks. Why these
gifted ladies aren't headlining at Pine Knob or Meadow Brook or performing
as guest artists with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is an insight into
fame and fortune.
Because of a voluntary departure from Atlantic Records,
Straight Ahead's most recent recording effort is an independent CD
(with new members Althea Rene, a flutist, and vocalist Faatimah York;
Dewberry and Carter have left the group). Titled City
Cuts, it's an excellent example of why the group was attractive
to a major label. Their playing is spiritually inspired and musically
among the best of its genre. The cuts range from soulful, smooth jazz to
spicy salsa. Each song is a showcase for musicians who are seasoned and
polished. It is a fine piece of art.
Among the several hundred, if not thousands, of
talented Detroit musicians, Straight Ahead is part of the small
elite group that has that extra something special that merits
extraordinary acknowledgement. They have paid their dues and merit real
stardom and all of the wonderful treats that come with it.
