Ambi'ance MAGAZINE

THE CURVES ROOK FASHION WEEKEND

HOLLYWOOD’S HOTEST STYLEST

TASHIA JACKSON

K.D BROSIA

CHENSES LEWIS THE ELECTRIC LADY

WANDA WILSON

FASHION .ENTERTAINMENT .COMEDY .BEAUTY .BOOKS .GOSSIP .FITNESS Auguest

CONTENTS Auguest 2012

FASHION7 CURVES FASHION WEEKEND12 Chenese Lewis14 Tasua Jackson

ENTERTAINMENT16 KD Brosia19 KP Next 2 Blow

COMMUNITY VOICE21 Diva Musical Poet

COMEDY 26 Mark Howard

FEATURED ARTIST 35 RED CARPET EVENT

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Hawaii's other Diva,"Pimpsy" and look for Ambiance Magazines Pet exclusive on "Pimpsy" next month

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

EDITOR’S NOTES

Wow, what an exciting month! August is for fashion! As we close on “Fashion Week”, let us reflect on the highlights thus far. Be-fore we do, first, let me personally express congratulations to Divas N’ Stilettos found-ers Chanell Jones and Tykesha Reed. Their “Curves Rock Fashion Weekend” held at the Hilton BWI Airport was a groundbreak-ing moment! This was Baltimore’s very first Plus Size Fashion Expo and I am sure it will not be the last. Some of the hottest mod-els, designers and entertainers made their presence known interlaced with the smooth sounds of the Good Kemistry Band and C Clear the Artist. The hostesses for the eve-ning were fashion model superstar, Liris Crosse and plus-sized spokesperson, Chen-ese Lewis. Designers Ashley Stewart, Dress Barn, NYDJ, Pretty Ke Kreations, Fashion to Figure, Bien Roule, Couture Queen, Haute Chocolate, Uche, and Tru Diva dazzled us with their presentation, style, swagger, and plus-sized panache. The plus-sized fashion landscape has definitely changed for the bet-ter thanks to those who dare to be different.

Wait! That was not the only celebration of fashion in Maryland that week. August 4th -12th the “Push & Pull 4 Pink”, (a breast can-cer charitable fundraiser) and the Maryland Fashion Week Association combined to take the Barton for Fashion Week by hosting a series of events ranging from industry workshops, Kids Rock Fashion Events, International Fashion Show-case, Networking Social Event, Maryland Fashion Week Live, Maryland Fashion Week TV, and ending with The 10th Annual Wash-ington Premier Fashion Showcase. Special guest host for the events was Women’s Pro Boxing Champion, Lisa “Too Fierce” Foster-Cohen.

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The excitement does not stop there! In the month of September, several local artists will be releasing their CDs, starting with Roy Seldon & Inner Sessions at the “M” Bar & Grill in Hollywood CA, on Septem-ber 15th, CC Rayne at the Warehouse in Santa Monica, CA on September 22nd and The Night of Love Show staring KD Brosia, Lamont Wheat, and Patrice at the The Celebrity Center in Hollywood, CA on September 29th in downtown Los Angeles. As always, Ambi’ance Magazine will host the celebrity red carpet events. Last, but not least, we want to officially welcome the newest member to the Ambi’ance Maga-zine family, Ms. Tasia Jackson, one of the hottest fashion stylists in Hollywood. She will be submitting a regular segment for our fashion page appropriately called, “Ask Tasia”. Ms. Jackson’s column will not only answer questions about styling, coloring, chemical treatments and weaves, but she will offer valuable information about the business of professional hair styling along with information on make-up, nail care and treatments. So, as you see, Ambi’ance Magazine continues on the cutting edge of today’s fashion, comedy and entertain-ment phenomenon.

Jonathan Fields, CEO/Editor- n- Chief Michelle Stackfield, Atlanta CoorespondantGraphic Designer, Mikey Koontz Writers;Senior Writer, Kimberly JacksonSenior Writer-Comedy, Mark HowardSenior Writer, Dark GableSenior Writer-Cosmetics/Fashion, Tasia Jackson

Events Production;Doreene McClain, Senior WriterQuei Tann, Senior Production AssistantDonna Dymally, Senior Photographer/Coor-dinatorMiya Dymally, Make Up Specialist

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Ambi’ance Magazine Team

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KICKING IT WITH

CHENESE LEWIS By Dark Gable

Ambi’ance Magazine: So Chenese, tell us about the 1ST Annual Curves Rock Fashion Weekend in Baltimore, MD.

Chenese Lewis: This is the first one of this caliber in the area. They reached out to me because I host a lot of plus- sized events. I am here to show support.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Are you a Baltimore, MD native ?

Chenese Lewis: No, I am originally from Baton Rouge, LA. I moved to Los Angeles, CA a few years ago. I do a lot of with plus-sized women and women in general to empower them.

Ambi’ance Magazine: This is a fantastic event, bringing a lot of awareness to the plus-sized fash-ion phenomenon, huh?

Chenese Lewis: Yes, plus-sized women are size 14 and up. We should be mainstreamed, but we are not. We are trying to change that oversight.

Ambi’ance Magazine: It is such an honor for Ambi’ance Magazine to be here today. How do you see this going? The sisterhood and camara-derie here was great to experience.

Chenese Lewis: It is okay to do that for the plus-sized fashion industry, but we want to go beyond that into the international fashion industry.

Ambi’ance Magazine: What I saw the ladies do-ing was amazing. I mean the business seminars, beauty sessions, business and vendor participa-tion, it really brought the community together. Do

Chenese Lewis: I am not producing it, I am just the host. Two ladies based in Los An-geles, both plus-sized designers, felt there wasn’t an upscale plus-sized fashion show in Los Angeles. It is unfortunate, because we are a major market. So, on October 13th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, (they purposely did it during Los Angeles Fashion Week to include plus-size) this is going to be a ground breaking event. Sponsors and anyone that would like information can go to www.elitecurvesinternationally.com

Ambi’ance Magazine: How can our readers follow you?

Chenese Lewis: They can find me on Face-book or Twitter at CheneseLewis.com. www.plusmodelradio.com, YouTube.com/chen-eselewis, www.cheneselewisblog.com. I am a southern belle and I love to interface with people, so tell your readers to hit me up, and let’s talk “Fashion”.

Ambi’ance Magazine: I will Chenese, but I also want our readers to know that you are a regular at the Essence Festival in New Or-leans.

Chenese Lewis: Yes, I am.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Your “Plus Model Radio Show” is a huge hit all over, especially there.

Chenese Lewis: I guess because I’m a Southern Girl. (Laughing)

Ambi’ance Magazine: I would be remised if I didn’t congratulate you, on your resent pro-motion to Booking Director of the Los Angeles Division of IPM Model Management.

Chenese Lewis: Wow! You guys really do your homework! (Laughing)

Ambi’ance Magazine: We try Chenese, we try!

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Ask TasiaTasia Jackson is a license cosmetologist that has been practicing for over 7 years. In the past year, she has added cosmetology instructor to her title. This young stylist has been on the move since her childhood. At the young age of 13, Tasia first started by attempting various hairstyles on her three sisters, mother and even herself. With her passion and love of styling hair, she took the first opportunity to enroll in a cosmetology program while in high school. Tasia was aiming towards her dreams. She finished the program and recieved her license at the age of 20. From there she worked in a local salon as a full service stylist. Tasia does everything you can imagine when it come to maintaining and enhancing your natural beauty; her skills range from hair care braids, hair color, hair shaping, extensions, and various other types of styling techniques. She also has expertise training in nail care, skin care, make up, facial waxing and more. Being an expert in all these areas, this young stylist is on the rise. Look for Tasia's tips monthly in the Fashion Section of Ambiance Magazine.Ambi'ance Magazine Inc

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K.D. Brosia-LOVE IS By Jonathan Fields

Ambi’ance Magazine: Let’s talk about your background. Where are you from?

KD Brosia: Florence, Mississippi. Born and raised in Mississippi.

Ambi’ance Magazine: How did you step into your illustrious line of music?

KD Brosia: I have always enjoyed music. I started at three years old and recorded at the age of four. I started in the church. I did not start recording professionally until I was about twenty-one or twenty-two. That is when I decided that music was what I really wanted to do.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Do you come from a musical background? Are you a prodigy or one of a kind in your family?

KD Brosia: My entire family is known in our community as singers. However, I am the only one in my family that has taken music to the heights professionally that I have.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Did you attend col-lege?

KD Brosia: I attended a few because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I attended Tugaloo University which is a HBCU, Brown University and EDEU which is an international college.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Wow Lots of diversity there. What was your major?

KD Brosia: I was an English Major.

Ambi’ance Magazine: How did you elevate

KD Brosia: I actually moved from Missis-sippi to Atlanta. I think it was that move to Atlanta that gave me my first big break. I had always been told that I could sing, but it was not until I went to Atlanta and started sing-ing in that spectrum that I actually realized people flocked to what I had going on. I think it was at that point I realized I really did have a talent.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Did a particular recording company or person discover you? How did you make that next step?

KD Brosia: I was never discovered per se. What happened was I went to Japan in pur-suit of a music career and met up with what is not my musical director, Robbi Dansi of Prodigy International. When we worked out the paperwork and everything that is when my career did a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn-around. In Japan I was approached with and did a CD but not on the level that I am now.

Ambi’ance Magazine: I have read that you did quite a bit of opening acts for some pretty illustrious people.

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Ambi’ance Magazine: I used to tell people that the only crime committed over there is by us! “The Americans”. (Laughing). It gives you a different perspective on life, cultures and it is so peaceful. The only thing I did not like is it gets really cold in the winter.

KD Brosia: I know just like the states.

Ambi’ance Magazine: What are your goals now that you’re back in the states?

KD Brosia: Prodigy International is currently grooming me for a major tour. Until then, I am just marketing and promoting my brand.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Well, we are excited about your CD. The musical arrangements are very clean and your sound is hot. We feel your already market ready!

KD Brosia: I have to thank Prodigy Inter-national for that. I am truly blessed to have them in my corner. Crystal was part of the 80’s women’s group “En Vogue” so she knows the business. She made sure it is as polished as it is. Because of her knowledge and re-sources we were able to get it to where it is. Eclectic Music, I am blessed with talent, but it is the people around me that allow me to take it to the next level.

Ambi’ance Magazine: That’s great, because today record companies like new artists to be polished, well managed, and ready for produc-tion and video shoots, right out the box.

KD Brosia: I know. This business is so crazy! Ambi’ance Magazine: KD, thanks for giving us some insight to you as a person and as a man.

KD Brosia: I want to thank Ambi’ance Maga-zine for inviting me to hang out at Tracy Neely and Lady VO’s Red Carpet Event.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Well thank you for spending time with us and of course good luck with your career. Ambi’ance Magazine will be there for your CD Release Party next month at the Underground Lounge.

KD Brosia: Wanya (Boyz II Men), Jon B, Tank, Fantasia, Mint Condition, Loose Ends. I can’t even name them all but that are just a few.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Right now your project is on dropping a CD. Where are you now with your music? Is this your first come back to the mainstream CD or is this your second or third project or what?

KD Brosia: Before I learned what was going on in the industry I released some works and it wasn’t to the level I am now. “Love Is” is my first American release with Mint Condition, James Brase, and Vitamin D. “I Am Me” was released in Asia. I intend to release another CD in 2013. I am currently in Los Angeles, Mississippi and Japan working hard on that one.

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K.P. Next to Blow By DarkGable

Born in South Central, Los Angeles, Rapper KP has seen his share of urban trials and tribula-tions. In fact, his story is straight out of Compton, Boyz in the Hood, and Menace to Society all rolled into one. The difference with KP is that he realized after high school that livingon the streets and hustling did not have a good retirement plan so, he decided to channel his desires on a more positive tip. To him, pursuing a music career was a natural evolution for someone growing up watching Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Snoop Dogg, Warren G., Dr Dre, Tupac, and others make their paper-legally.A health food and fitness fanatic, KP decided a long time ago that eating healthy and staying in shape would allow him a peace of mind as well as longevity. His drive stems from his desire to show the world not only his talent, but also his determination to avoid typecasting. For KP, determination has always been a key factor in his life and career.Looking forward to building his brand through his own record label, KP plans to use this label to create an outlet where up-and-coming artists can be successful as well as expose them to his holistic lifestyle and training routines. Along with fitness and releasing music independently, KP also looks forward to being able to make videos, do some acting, write music, and go on tours. Currently, he is working on the release of a candid documentary depicting the STRUGGLES that goes with making it as a new artist in Los Angeles.Completely vested into health and wellness, KP would like to open an “Entertainment Industry Only” gym and “Holistic Fitness Spa” as well as develop a health drink and/or related supple-ments. Let’s not forget this cat can spit! His raspy, gritty, hardcore style is best described as a “straight jab to the cranium!”If your soul cries disbelief or denial, KP’s lyrics will strike gut wrenching fear! His delivery is “Black Mamba” relentless like a shot of tequila and a Jack Daniel chaser (think DMX meetsTONE LOC in El Segundo)! He is “Old School Gangsta with New School Swag! Don’t take my word for it, judge for yourself! Check out his very first mixed hit, “Next to Blow”, featuring DJ Skee and DMC from Run-DMC (first released in 2006), or “Talk of the Streets” featuring Los An-geles’ legendary, DJ Warrior (released Sept 2009). Other high-octane joints are “Trippin Da 4, “So Cal” “Long time Coming,” and the ever combustible, “See What I See.” There is no denying that KP is 2012’s Hottest New West Coast Rapper!To find out more about his upcoming “Talk to the Streets” tour, check out his websites:

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KPNEXT2BLOW WWW.TWITTER.COM/KPNEXT2BLOW

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/KPNEXT2BLOW

WWW.GOOGLE.COM/KPNEXT2BLOW

WWW.REVERBNATION.COM/KPNEXT2BLOW

Ambi’ance Magazine presents:

D.I.V.A. Musical Poet

Participated in numerous Church and Outreach programs; Community Events and School Programs; Cable TV and Radio; Talent Shows, Poetry Slams and Theaters in Maryland, Ohio, New York, Bahamas, Illinois, Georgia, Kentucky and California. Has been seen on Sunday’s Best National B.E.T, Washington DC; the Unity Festival in Long Beach California; J. Anthony Brown’s “J’s Spot Comedy Club” in Los Angeles, California; Ryan Seacrests’, “Chance” in Los Angeles, California; Last Man Standing Showcase at Redondo Beach’s Per-forming Arts Center in Redondo Beach, California; One Love Showcase , Talent Critiquing Showcase (Judge J. Deva from America’s Got Talent), Executive Producer for the “Stopping The Violence” Showcase all at the Hollywood Celebrity Center in Hollywood, California; Min-ister “Kurtis Blow” Walker’s Christmas Eve Party and Hip Hop Church in Los Angeles, Cali-fornia; 5th Annual Black Business Celebration at Congressman Millender McDonald’s Com-munity Center in Carson California; Judge Mablean’s HUF After Party at Westin Hotel, Long Beach California; America’s Got Talent in Chicago, Illinois; Cavs (Cavaliers) Top Talent in Cleveland, Ohio. Legendary “Kurtis Blow” Showcase at The Youngstown Club in Youngstown Ohio and the Crowe’s Nest in College Park, Georgia; 1st National Car/Bike Show featuring, Chubb Rock at the Crowe’s Nest in College Park, Georgia; Ms. Shirley’s Showcase at the Hollywood Celebrity Center in Hollywood California on October 29, 2011 performing her new gospel single “Lord I Like The Way”poem "Anointed Black Woman" published on the internet under "poetry.com" in 2001 and in 2003 completed 1st single titled "Holy Ghost Party". "Let's Talk About It" seminars and "Jam-min’ On The One" Jam Sessions established in 2000; Martin Luther King Programs estab-lished 2004; "Stopping The Violence" showcases and community blockbusters established in 2005; “Down 4 The Cause” Showcasing and

“Stopping The Violence” youth program nationwide established in 2010. Stopping The Vio-lence Remix, ABC Rap of Self Esteem (for Kindergarten, Pre-school, Special Ed), P.I.M.P. (Positive Impact Making Peace) video shoots in Los Angeles, California. Album of all three “Down 4 The Cause” at http//:cdbaby.com/cd/dvamusicalpoet and viewed on Websites: http//:abc-rap.com

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Stopping The ViolenceP.O. Box 2101Youngstown, Ohio 44504(fiscal Agent Whole Man Enterprises (501(c)(3) #34-1935289) (1-877) 701-2024

Stopping The Violence Organization - is a community outreach non- profit Organization (Fiscal Agent Whole Man Enterprises a charitable 501 (C) (3) exemption #34-1935289) established to focus on bringing hope to communities children, youth, young adults, adults, elderly and families to raise the awareness of non-violence and working together in building and maintaining self-es-teem, good attitudes and sound minds for individuals and develops family and community togeth-erness with harmony and love.

Stopping The Violence Mission Statement –Through the power Inspirational and Positive Univer-sal Music we are helping Individuals, Families and Communities to know better; to understand better; to do better; to obtain and achieve better.

Stopping The Violence Summary - Stopping The Violence community outreach offering Emotional Guidance and Support Seminars; Substance(s), Domestic, Mental, Physical Abuse Seminars; Ed-ucational Tutoring and Seminars; Entrepreneurships; Performing Arts and Musical Enhancement; Sports and Recreation ; Community, Family and Individual Empowerment Seminars; Referrals.

Stopping The Violence Focus – Defining the problem of Individuals, Families and Communities to create a positive and productive environment of life.

Stopping The Violence Solution - Through inspirational and positive musical enhancement and en-tertainment, sports and recreation, substance, domestic and mental abuse counseling, individuals, families and communities will experience a break down of emotional, physical, social and eco-nomic barriers. Developing and creating educational programming, entrepreneurships and leader-ship skills. Establishing enthusiasm, willingness, creativity, competitiveness and excellence.

A future community project will bring together family, mentor, trainer and teacher by establish-ing Community Center(s) for all types of abuse Counseling and Seminars; Educational Tutoring and Seminars; Entrepreneurships; the Performing Arts that will offer numerous cultural and genre styles of musical enhancement and entertainment of dance, poetry, art, theatrics, including musi-cal recording. Also, establishing a Youth Center that will offer baseball, softball, basketball, soc-cer, volleyball, skating, swimming track and field. Both centers will provide a safe haven to build individual, family and community structure.

Stopping The Violence Outreach Goals Summary – To provide 5 to 7 days with 4 to 40 hours of Individual, Family and Community Outreach

Contact:Patricia A. Owens, President - (330) 744-5345

Interludes from a Stand-Up by by. Mark Howard

Having now the years of experience in the field of stand-up comedy, I have quickly understood certain aspects of this so-called game and they have held true throughout. Since I started over twenty years ago, I was part of a new era of comedy emerging to the forefront and also I got to understand that this game became a feast or famine type of world. There are fundamental things about a stand-up comedy show that have to happen for its success. This is very simple in theory with the urban (Black, or African-American) comedy scene, but it has proven to be a very daunting task. What is it? Did I hear you scream? It is a simple and very necessary thing...an audience! Yes, that is the one thing in any show that is required in order for the show to exist. The bigger the better! However, that is the challenge right, BIGGER audiences.

The black comedy scene made a huge turn in the game in the late eighties to early nineties with the emergence of hit television shows such as HBO's Robert Townsend’s Partners in Crime and Def Comedy Jam. This sparked the interest for African-Americans to want to see more live comedy shows and particularly see more African-Americans performing stand-up comedy. Now this is going to be a bi***ing and moaning moment here, so just sit back and feel me on this. As a stand-up comic, I love to perform and I have done so to various audiences all around the world. I have asked a few comics if they feel comedy is separated into genres and we all agree that there are genres and its okay. My problem with the urban comedy world is complex. It is still hot and it can pack football arenas with audiences holding their sides in pain from laughing so hard, but there is a flip side to this. You can find many of urban comedy clubs, and one-night comedy shows that are struggling to stay alive with so many empty seats!

See what bugs about my black people is how weak you are in your support of the urban com-edy scene. It’s the funniest thing about us; you just do not know how to get behind a comedy club. We would much rather get behind comics. Now there is nothing wrong with that, but it is a fact that there are more funny comics than there are famous comics and we would love to get that popular-ity of a Kevin Hart, Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, or Mo’Nique, but everybody is not going to make it to such heights, but, we can have very lengthy and successful stand-up comedy careers if we keep having places to work. The problem is we need a**es in the seats to keep working y'all. I have heard it all, "I want to know if the show is going to be funny before I go." Since I have become a stand-up I have gotten great support from friends and family, but I get that BS too. If I had a dime for every time someone I have told that I was a comic, and they would be so excited to hear that and beg me to let them know when my next show is so they can come out and see me, and when I did, it would go like this, "I am going to be at the comedy club this weekend, if you want to come, I can get you in FREE." The reply would be, "Oh yeah, who else is going to be there?" "Is Cedric the Entertainer going to be there too?" It is hilarious to see that go down. I mean it is like they re-ally never meant to support me, they were hoping that I could hook them up with tickets to see who they really like to see.

Gable

See now I don't want to hear any d**n excuses about it like, "Well those white clubs got the money and the backing." In some cases that matters, but where in the world do you think the backing comes from? YOU! Yes, we need you to show up and show strong box office strength for our beloved urban comedy clubs as well. The trick that the mainstream (white) comedy clubs do is something called, "papering" their rooms. Basically, they find businesses and will ask that when you come, please drop your business cards in a box or jar. They take your informa-tion and simply send you free tickets. Now, this goes to the differences in how we think. These mainstream clubs will send a white person twenty free tickets and believe me, they will find nineteen friends to come out and buy drinks and they WILL have a good time. I feel that they come to the clubs with an assumption that comics will ALL be good. They don't actually laugh at a comic just because, but their energy will be positive and meet you half way. If the comic is not funny, at least that night, they get to come off the stage with some dignity still intact, consid-ering they have bombed in front of a bunch of people. Black folks, my people, you give them twenty free tickets.....Twenty FREE TICKETS and the first thing they will ask of course is, "Who is going to be there?" Point of reference, think mov-ies passes; remember how they are not good for "special engagements" basically the new releases. You will not get free passes to see Kevin Hart, or Cedric "The Entertainer", or anyone else on that level of celebrity. You can see Marc Howard though, and he is a damn funny guy! Don't laugh, because I'm so serious right now.

The whole point is to inform that in your quest to find great live entertainment, you can potentially miss the boat for a decent price. I am not knocking the Kings of Comedy. It was a phenomenal tour, breaking records and that is tremendous, but damn expensive to go to and you got to pay a grip for parking, too. Some-times, you can get a fabulous night of laughter at your local comedy club and/or club that are having a comedy night once a week. Trust me you would be catch-ing some great talent on the way to stardom, because that is the way all of the comics you know and love got started. I know people want to see the Dodgers or Yankees, but many fans will say that they had a great time at a minor league game; it was great baseball, accessible and reasonably priced. I am sure they hold a real cherished moment of saying that they saw Derrick Jeter or Matt Kemp on their way to the majors. Now, don't get me wrong, the comedy shows I perform at are really not "minor league" but it did sound like a great moment, didn't it? You can actually see some of your favorite star comics pop in and do a great show. We know that we have to come back to the smaller comedy venues not only to keep our acts sharp and/or work on new material, but we just love the intimacy of a smaller audience that is closer to you. You can feel their vibes and really know if they are laughing at your work or just laughing at you. So, with that said, I hope to see you all at a comedy club near you SOON!

Ambi’ance Magazine: Okay, let’s cut to the chase “Electric Lady”, how did you get started?

Wanda Wilson: My journey started when I was four years old. I was musically gifted from the jump. However, it almost never developed. As a child I suffered a near fatal injury. I fell out of a three-story win-dow and was about to be pronounced dead when a pulse was finally felt. It left me in a body cast for almost two years! I came from a Baptist family where my great-uncle was the pastor of our church. My parents had to carry me around (I am the eldest of five; one brother and three sisters). Any-way, my music started in church where we attended every Sunday. I used to watch my aunt, who was the organist. I used to watch her hard. Because of my broken arm, legs and pelvis, the only thing I could move was my fingers. It would be the piano that I learned to play first. Ambi’ance Magazine: Your family had a

tremendous influence on you, I see.

I played exactly what she played. As I got older, I never owned a Barbie, I wanted an instrument and my first instrument was a piano! At thirteen, I got a guitar then moved on to the bass. Eventually, that was not good enough. I was thirsting for more instruments. I liked the drums. Never professionally trained, I taught myself by listening. I would play along with what they were playing. I never played with kids and got better by playing music with the adults. During my high school years, I attended an integrated high school for international stu-dents where I was a four year drum major-ette, so I’m sure that being a leader of the band helped me a lot as well. Music chose ME. I did not CHOOSE it! Everyone saw my greatness. All through school I was al-ways in the band room perfecting my craft and because of my straight A’s in science and a major project on Black history, I was able to obtain a scholarship to Harvard.

WANDA “ELECTRIC LADY” WILSON

INTERVIEW

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Wanda Wilson: My first musical influenc-es were James Brown, The Staple Sing-ers, Etta James, you know, the pioneers of what used to be called, “Soul Music”? However, I must say, my dad played a big part in exposing me to the world. Be-cause he was an international tradesman and traveled all over the world and I was the eldest, I got to travel with him. I went just about everywhere with him. We met a lot of celebrities. The first person I met was James Brown. My father told him that I could play and when he heard me play, that was my breakout into profes-sionalism right there! I got up there and played the drums and the bass. At that time Bootsy Collins was the bass player. Afterwards, I met a string of celebrities back to back. I met Etta James during the time she was working on her song, “I’d Rather Go Blind”. When she couldn’t get the rhythm, I would improvise and beat on the table. She said, “Wait a minute, I like that beat.” She brought me some drums; I played the song and got a job working with her while attending Loyola University in New Orleans. Ambi’ance Magazine: What was your college career like?Wanda Wilson: At Loyola University, I was a double major in Music and Enter-tainment Law, graduating with straight A’s. During my tenure there, I utilized my time well. I was always questing for knowledge and reinventing myself. I always wanted to be better than I was. I didn’t study it. I just knew it. They called it a “visionary gift” I guess from when I fell out of the window. Like a “wisdom bank.” Once I entered Harvard University, it became more of an adventurous journey. I had a wonderful time there and I did a lot of great things in school. I was one of the smartest kids there at the time. There were a lot of rich kids who were failing and would come to me and ask me to do their term papers. I thought that was funny because when I did them I was basically writing term papers like songs. It helped a lot of people get where they are.Ambi’ance Magazine: Did you know President Obama when you were at Har-vard?

Wanda Wilson: Absolutely! I come from some strong genetics. My grand-mother lived to be one hundred and two years old and my grandfather, ninety-five. I come from a two parent family where my mother was a teacher and father was an international tradesman and merchant marine. He would deal artifacts to different museums as well as owned some himself. Unfortunately, he passed in 1982. All my siblings (three sisters and one brother) are success stories. Gilda was a former assistant to the President, Judy is a breast cancer and 9/11 survivor, Tonya is an advocate at the Center for Sickle Cell and my brother is ex-military for the U.S Armed Forces and was head se-curity for Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.

Ambi’ance Magazine: Who were your musical influences?

WANDA “ELECTRIC LADY” WILSON

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Wanda Wilson: I found out later that he attended Harvard during my time there, but, no, I didn’t know him.Ambi’ance Magazine: What years did you attend Harvard?Wanda Wilson: I was there in the mid-seventies and left in nineteen-eighty.Ambi’ance Magazine: And your graduated degree was in?Wanda Wilson: I have a Masters in Music-PianoAmbi’ance Magazine: What did you do upon graduating? Wanda Wilson: Upon graduation, I went to San Diego and met Willie Morrow, the hair stylist. He owned a radio station and he liked my accent. I am Hawaiian and Jamaican. He called it “Jawaiian”. I had to take a course in English so that I could speak “good” English. I asked him why he didn’t have a Black radio station and he said, “Let me show you something.” He took me to the booth and there it was; a Black Radio Station and he got me on the mic. My name was “Sweet Wine” before it became “Electric.” I was a self-taught DJ on 92.5FM from 1980-1985 and I was very successful. I also DJ’d on Camp Pendelton on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I started interviewing entertainers back then. They were all of the 80’s hottest groups, Midnight Star, ConFunkShun, Bar-Kays, LTD, etc. I went on to the next step. I was an emcee at concerts held at the sports arenas. That is how I met everyone from the famous groups. I met Louis McCall. He was my best friend and the drummer for the group, ConFunkShun. He told me I had a lot of energy and said “I’m gonna call you ‘Electric Lady’.” He wrote a song about me called, “Electric Lady.” That is how that song came about. I did the album cover for that song. Ambi’ance Magazine: So that was you on that classic ConFunkShun cover?Wanda Wilson: Yes, Love. That was my cute face on that ConFunkShun album. (Laughing)Ambi’ance Magazine: At that point you were off and running in the music business, huh? Wanda Wilson: For the most part, yes. I just took it to the next level with an all-female band. I had two bands, a rock-n-roll band and an R&B band. I joined the musicians union and they hired me to do memberships and dues at Local #47. By doing this, it exposed me to everyone who was anyone in the business. They soon knew “Electric Lady” which translated into job after job opportunities.

Ambi’ance Magazine: So you have worked with some of the industry’s legends? Wanda Wilson: Yes. In that respect, I have been blessed. The names are end-less. I have worked with everyone from James Brown, Etta James, Aaron Neville, Pastor Price, Nancy Wilson, Bobby Brown, Patrice Rushen, Della Reese, Stephanie Mills, Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston, Dion Estes (bass-player), Ernest Singleton (producer), Rick James, The Mary Jane Girls, The Whispers, Shalamar, Chuck Brown, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Eddie Murphy, Redd Foxx, and it all started because those stars all had to pay their dues and pick up their royalty checks from me at the union! (Laughing) Ambi’ance Magazine: I read somewhere that you were the queen of the eighties music videos.Wanda Wilson: (Laughing) I don’t know about that, but I was somewhat of a “VIDEO-HOLIC”, appearing in over one hundred videos during my career including, Michael Jackson’s, “Leave Me Alone”, Janet Jackson’s, “Rhythm Nation”(shot in San Pedro in a warehouse), R Kelly’s, “Steppin” (I was the girl in the all-white suit with corn-rows), the Eddie Murphy movie, “Harlem Nights” (the girl again in all white during the ball-room scene). Vesta Williams’, “Congratulations” (shot in Malibu), “Sweet, Sweet Love” and “Special”(I was driving the corvette in that one). I also co-wrote some of Vesta’s greatest hits including, “Congratulations”, “Running into Memories” and “Sweet, Sweet Love”.

Ambi’ance Magazine: I understand that you and the late Vesta Williams were good friends?

Wanda Wilson: Yes. Vesta and I became very close. It was difficult for me to except her death, but I was just as devastated by the passing of Michael Jackson, Etta James, Don Cornelius, Barry White, Isaac Hayes, Whitney Houston and Gerald Levert, all of whom I knew and worked with. Ambi’ance Magazine: The eighties were such an exciting time in the music industry especially for Rock.Wanda Wilson: True. I had the privileged to hang out with the group, “Guns N Roses’” guitar-ist, “Slash”. He was my next-door neighbor so we jammed quite a bit. Although I wasn’t really into Rock and Roll, Slash gave me some licks on a lot of “Guns N Roses” stuff.Ambi’ance Magazine: You also had an all-girls band right?Wanda Wilson: Oh yeah! Like I said, because of my friendship with Slash I decided to develop a girls group appropriately called, “Electric La-dies’ Rock & Roll Band”. We became the open-ing act for some of the hottest bands during that era. We traveled all over the world. My favor-ite places were Johannesburg, South Africa, France, Singapore, and of course Australia.Ambi’ance Magazine: You have several Mu-sic Awards including The Grammys right?

Wanda Wilson: Yes. My first Grammy was with Michael Jackson in 1983 (my most recent was 2012). I received the first of my Ameri-can Music Awards by working on Tina Turner’s American Music Award winning “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, as well as songs with Cyndi Lauper, Mary J Blige, Le’Andrea Johnson, TLC and many others.

Ambi’ance Magazine: What’s next for “Electric Lady”?

Wanda Wilson: I want to do a music business pre-paratory camp for artists entering into the business on how to handle their business. Not so much on the performance end, but the business side teaching them not to throw their money away on jewelry and cars, but to build a foundation and establish their legacy. By traveling around the world and speaking to kids, I can be like a music mentor. Ultimately, I want to establish an internship program so that they can work with me and learn to be leaders and not followers.

Ambi’ance Magazine: So you have a serious inter-est in advocacy, I see.

Wanda Wilson: Absolutely, I want to work with underprivileged kids, foster children, substance abusers and battered women. I want them to know my story, my testimony. In 2010, I had my second brush with death, a head-on collision in Kona and my car was totaled. My service dog was killed. The passenger side airbag deployed and threw her out of the window. I had severe knee injuries and glass in my eyes, but today, I have no visible scars, thanks be to God! I am a true survivor! Everything I have is due to my faith in God and my determination to not be defeated! That is why I am obligated to impart and motivate others so that they can surmount and surpass expectations.

Ambi’ance Magazine: This isn’t just about your outstanding musical career, but about strength, determination and survival, you truly are a ROLE MODEL.Wanda Wilson: Thank you and I look forward to seeing Ambi’ance Magazine at the Grammys.Ambi’ance Magazine: We look forward to it. Any last words?Wanda Wilson: Just my motto “Just be WANDA-FULL! Get it? WANDA-FULL! (Laughing)

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Hawaii's other Diva,"Pimpsy" and look for Ambiance Magazines Pet exclusive on "Pimpsy" next month

Red Carpet Event Calender

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“WE DO CALI RIGHT”

Sept 1st 8PM-2AM "The All Black Affair LA 2012 honoring" Gerald Thompson's "Pathways To Our Future Foundation", Hosted by the Los Angeles Athletic Club, 431 W. 7th Street, L.A. CA 90014

Sept 2nd 4:30pm-7:30 pm "Night of 100 Oiympians Advisory Board & Commit-tee Meeting" @ The Beverly Hilton Hotel (Trader Vic's Resturant-Pool Side), 9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Sept 4th 6pm Live Taping of Comedy Central's Key & Peele Show @ The Nate Holden Theater, 4718 West Washington St LA CA 90016

Sept 7th 6PM Angie Stone CD Release Party, Private Estate in Westwood CA 90024

Sept 6th Ambiance Board Meeting @ Chicken Dijon 6262 W. Hollywood CA, 90028

Sept 15th 6pm, Roy Seldon Jazz CD Release Party( Red Carpet Event hosted by Am-biance Magazine) The "M"Bar & Grill , Vine St /Sunset Blvd, Hollywood CA 90028

Sept 16th 6pm,"Vision's Hair Boutigue-Hair We Go Again 2012" Hosted by the Sher-aton 4 Points Hotel 8710 Aero Dr. San Diego CA

Sept 22nd CC Rayne CD Release Party(Red Carpert Event hosed by Ambiance Mag-azine ) Santa Manica, CA Venue TBA.

Sept 29th 7pm "A Night of Love" concert featuring K.D. Brosia, Ripley Fairchild, and Lamont Wheat hosted by the Hollywood Celebrity Center and produced by Dmaria Productions and Ambiance Magazine. October 5th Ambiance Magazines exclusive Trip to the "Milionare Mansion" in Kona Hawaii, to interview Musical Legend, Wanda "Electric Lady" Wilson

October 10th 12 noon-2pm The Annual Violence Prevention Coalition's "Angel of Peace Awards" Luncheon hosted by The California Endowment 1000 N. Alameda Street L.A. CA

Red Carpet Event Calender

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NEXT MONTH AMBIANCEMAGAZINE GOES INSIDE THE MIND OF CEO/CREATOR OF DESIGNER ORIGNAL

MAGAZINES YVONNE COLEMAN-BURNEY