Rashida Jolley

Rashida Jolley is an American harpist who uses her traditionally classical music instrument in hip-hop, R&B, and pop music.[1] Jolley also writes her own songs, fusing many different genres together.

Early life and education

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Jolley grew up in Washington, D.C. during which she attended Christian schools and was homeschooled for her last few years of high school.[2] Her father, Noble Jolley Sr., was a jazz guitarist who taught all of his seven children how to play and perform.[3] Jolley says that her mother first chose the harp for her, but she says that it "was love at first sight."[4] Rashida Jolley began singing in her church choir when she was seven and was playing the harp at the DC Youth Orchestra Program (DCYOP) when she was ten.[3] She is a graduate of Nyack College with a bachelor's degree in history.[5]

Career

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In 1997, when she participated in her first Miss D.C. pageant, she was nicknamed "Baby Diva."[6] Jolley represented Washington, D.C. in the Miss America Pageant in 2000.[2] In 2004, she was on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS[5] and a speaker with the Project Reality abstinence education group.[7] She also released her first CD, "Love is Not a Game" in 2004.[8]

Jolley competed on America's Got Talent in 2009.[1] Jolley played harp for Lady Gaga on her 2010-2011 Monster Ball World Tour.[9] The Washington Post called Jolley a "head-banging harpist."[9][10] Jolley released her second album in 2011, titled "There's No One Else Like You."[11] She partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of DC in an anti-bullying program in 2013.[12]

Jolley has also performed on the BET Rap It Up Tour and at the Ludacris Foundation's Tribute to Quincy Jones.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "For Rashinda Jolley, A Harp to Make More Than Music". NPR. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  2. ^ a b Rosenfeld, Megan (14 October 2000). "Checking Out the Competition: Is Miss America Our Ideal?". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Rashida Jolley - Harpist". East Coast Entertainment. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  4. ^ Boussard, Kenneth (April 2011). "Rashida Jolley". Ebony. 66 (6): 66. Retrieved 9 January 2016 – via EBSCO.
  5. ^ a b Giradi, Linda (1 November 2004). "Miss D.C. Delivers Message of Abstinence". The Beacon News. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  6. ^ Parker, Lonnae O'Neal (23 June 1997). "Miss D.C.'s Return: A Crowning Moment". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  7. ^ Wetzstein, Cheryl (23 January 2002). "Bush to Tap AIDS Panel Chiefs Soon". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Where Are They Now?". Miss District of Columbia. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  9. ^ a b Stewart, Allison (31 January 2012). "Rashida Jolley on Touring With Lady Gaga and Being an R&B Diva/Harpist". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  10. ^ Richards, Chris (8 September 2016). "In Concert: Lady Gaga at Verizon Center". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  11. ^ "Rashida Jolley Party". Gaga Front Row. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Boys and Girls Club Partners with Lady Gaga Harpist Rashida Jolley to End Bullying". The Washington Informer. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  13. ^ Monroe, Steve (14 August 2013). "Harpist, singer Rashida Jolley to perform at Arts and Humanities Festival". Hill Rag. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
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