Earn , Learn , and Return . It ’ s cyclical .
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If you are planning to join us on Saturday , December 9 , 2017 at The Woodland in Maplewood , NJ , allow me to tell you we are in for a great treat . Lord Yancyy will be performing his work live at The DIVA Zone ’ s A Jazzy Wonderland holiday affair .
Aside from his tremendous musical gifts and talents , Yancyy ’ s generous heart , infectious spirit , love for God and His people is what got my immediate attention . Ladies , there are some beautiful men in this life . Be encouraged ! It is my honor to introduce to you the artistry , and heart of an all-around , good brother , Lord Yancyy .
DZ : Thank you for taking time for this interview . How is your spirit feeling right now ?
LY : I appreciate the time , Najiyyah . My spirit is at peace . I ’ m excited about life . I ’ m ready to be used for His purpose however He sees fit . I am in a really good place .
DZ : Okay , so there are some questions I must ask on behalf of my audience or I will be crucified . Lol . How old are you ?
LY : Four decades . Lol . Between 40-45 . I can ’ t reveal more than that . Lol .
DZ : Are you married ? Do you have children ?
LY : I normally don ’ t entertain questions about marital status . Lol . But since it ’ s you , please tell them I am married to my music . I have a beautiful son . He is 5 going on 65 . That ’ s my pride and joy .
DZ : How long have you been playing ?
I can sum it up this way :
Earn , Learn , and Return . It ’ s cyclical .
LY : Wow . For over 30 years now . My father bought me my first horn when I was 11-years-old . I will never forget the unveiling of that gift .
DZ : Is that one of your fondest memories of your father ? Is he still living ?
LY : Well , ( long pause topped with a chuckle ) it may as well be . There were not many other memories . Lol . No , he has made his transition . You know , I count it all joy . The good and bad . I learned so much from him about how not to be in terms of a man and father , that I am grateful . No ill feelings at all . I am the man I am today because of all that I have experienced so it ’ s truly all good .
DZ : Who are some of your greatest musical influences ?
LY : I grew up in a gospel household and spent a great deal of time in church . So , for me , the initial influence came from a gospel saxophonist named Bernard Johnson . I first heard him when I was 13-years-old in church and I was captivated . I will never forget how I was impacted at that moment . Then I made the mistake of hearing this cat named Grover Washington Jr ., and he messed me up . Lol . I didn ’ t want to hear any more gospel saxophonists after that . I was on a trip of years of rebellion as a result of Grover . ( Laughing ). And of course , John Coltrane . They spoke to me in a way that Bernard Johnson could not have as an artist . Today , I can say that they each contributed equally to my artistry in ways I can ’ t explain .
DZ : Who are you listening to on your iPod currently ?
LY : I have over 20k songs in my iPod , but I don ’ t listen to that . I ’ m a satellite radio guy . I toggle between traditional jazz ( 90 % percent of my time ), R & B , Gospel . Sometimes , I go back to my college days and listen to some classical .
DZ : Who have been your biggest influencers in terms of manhood ?
LY : I ’ m a conglomerate of a few men . My step father ( who I never viewed as a step ) was like my big brother , my friend and my dad . I had amazing teachers who cultivated me in my youth . I also had a great pastor who also happened to be my uncle . He guided me spiritually . I am a product of my village for sure . I am truly grateful they were in my life .
DZ : If you had to sum up your life ’ s mission in terms of priority in five words or less ; what would that list look like ?