Carolyn Plummer Ayana is a celebrated songwriter and pioneering force in jazz fusion, known for her profound contributions as a spoken word artist, composer, poet, playwright, musician, music producer, and captivating performer. A true contemporary minstrelist, Ayana has collaborated across multiple genres with legendary artists, including Stevie Wonder, Phil Upchurch, and Bernard \u201cPretty\u201d Purdie. Her original songs have been performed by iconic figures such as Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, and Nina Simone, placing her among the most respected voices in modern music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ayana is a classically trained pianist, accomplished guitarist, and percussionist, as well as a passionate music educator and children\u2019s media producer. With decades of experience in broadcasting\u2014hosting influential radio shows like All Young Artists Need Attention on WPFW and Ayana\u2019s House on Howard University Radio\u2014she has used her platform to spotlight emerging talent and advocate for underserved communities. Her acclaimed children\u2019s music video productions under Roostahood Ayana Wave and the release of her hit CD Sunlight of My People reflect her commitment to artistic excellence and social impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1985, Ayana launched the Classroom Hip Hop Healing Therapy Program, a groundbreaking initiative using spoken word and music to help inner-city youth build self-esteem. Her innovative teaching strategies earned national recognition, including a feature in Howard University\u2019s Journal of Education. Ayana\u2019s \u201cI Like Myself Rhymes\u201d continue to uplift and inspire young people across the country.
Inspired by collaborations with Maya Angelou and Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, Ayana developed Ayana\u2019s Songbook, a television series aired on the ABC Network, showcasing her unique approach to children\u2019s media. Her writing\u2014lyrical, rhythmic, and spiritually resonant\u2014has been compared to both Thelonious Monk for musical originality and Maya Angelou for poetic depth. Her spoken word pieces often evoke vivid imagery, profound emotion, and transcendental experiences among listeners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her latest collection, Where\u2019s My Check, blends motivational self-talk with commentary on historical and political realities. With a distinctive style she calls EbonGLISH\u2014a fusion of Standard English and African American Vernacular\u2014Ayana writes in the living language of today\u2019s spoken word, hip hop, and pop culture. This hybrid form brings authenticity, accessibility, and power to her work.
Ayana\u2019s influence spans generations and genres. Her artistry, activism, and educational vision position her as not only a musical pioneer but a cultural treasure\u2014a voice of truth, healing, and transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Praise for Ayana
\u201cAyana is the saving salt of the earth mother who taught me to play piano and find my real \u2018voice.\u2019 She\u2019s a genuine reggae woman, vibrating like a mystic!\u201d \u2014 Stevie Wonder
\u201cAyana\u2019s daring, adventurous chord progressions are a composer\u2019s dream. Arranging her music is both challenging and rewarding.\u201d \u2014 Quincy Jones
\u201cAyana\u2019s talent knows no boundaries. She\u2019s an artistic wonder.\u201d \u2014 Maya Angelou
\u201cShe\u2019s a musical force from the cosmos\u2026 a live wire. The best all-around female performer I\u2019ve ever met.\u201d \u2014 Nina Simone
\u201cShe is the real Queen of the Jazz Fusion Movement. I had to steal her drummer!\u201d \u2014 Miles Davis
\u201cMy first out-of-body experience happened while listening to Ayana\u2019s \u2018Mr. Spain.\u2019 She resides on the other side of the sky.\u201d \u2014 Aretha Franklin
\u201cAyana\u2019s melodies are syncopated, provocative, and completely unique. A joy to perform!\u201d \u2014 Charlie Byrd
\u201cAyana is like a magnet for kids. They think she\u2019s Michael Jackson!\u201d \u2014 Esther Phillips<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true},"class_list":["post-217","authors","type-authors","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lynxpublishers.com\/bookshelf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/authors\/217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lynxpublishers.com\/bookshelf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/authors"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lynxpublishers.com\/bookshelf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/authors"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lynxpublishers.com\/bookshelf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}