Jana (Native American singer)
Encyclopedia
Jana Mashonee is a singer, songwriter and actress. She is Lumbee
and Tuscarora
, originally from Robeson County, North Carolina
, currently residing near New York City
, in Greenwich, CT. She is currently releasing her music through Miss Molly Records.
. Shelton recorded a demo of "What I Am To You" and presented it to Curb Records
' Mike Curb
who immediately signed Jana to his label.
Jana has described herself as an "Urban Indian":
Jana is also active motivational speaker
for Native American youth, supporting such organizations as U.N.I.T.Y. (United Native Indian Tribal Youth), and her own motivational program "Jana's Kids". Jana also designs jewelry in her lines Urban Indian and Indian Spirit, with the profits going directly to her motivational program, "Jana's Kids."
Lumbee
The Lumbee belong to a state recognized Native American tribe in North Carolina. The Lumbee are concentrated in Robeson County and named for the primary waterway traversing the county...
and Tuscarora
Tuscarora (tribe)
The Tuscarora are a Native American people of the Iroquoian-language family, with members in New York, Canada, and North Carolina...
, originally from Robeson County, North Carolina
Robeson County, North Carolina
Robeson County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010 it had a population of 134,168. Since then, it has been one of the 10% of United States counties that were majority-minority; its combined population of American Indian, African American and Latino residents comprise over...
, currently residing near New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, in Greenwich, CT. She is currently releasing her music through Miss Molly Records.
Biography
Jana was discovered by producer/songwriter, Rodney Shelton, when Jana was singing funk in her "weekend band" Peace 'N' Love near Charlotte, NCCharlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. Shelton recorded a demo of "What I Am To You" and presented it to Curb Records
Curb Records
Curb Records is a record label started by Mike Curb originally as Sidewalk Records in 1963...
' Mike Curb
Mike Curb
Michael Curb is an American musician, record company executive, NASCAR and IRL race car owner. A Republican, he served as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1979-1983 under Democratic Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr...
who immediately signed Jana to his label.
Jana has described herself as an "Urban Indian":
Jana is also active motivational speaker
Motivational speaker
A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
for Native American youth, supporting such organizations as U.N.I.T.Y. (United Native Indian Tribal Youth), and her own motivational program "Jana's Kids". Jana also designs jewelry in her lines Urban Indian and Indian Spirit, with the profits going directly to her motivational program, "Jana's Kids."
Albums
- Flash of a Firefly
2005, Radikal Records
2006 Nammy AwardNative American Music AwardsThe Native American Music Awards , commonly known as the Nammys, are an awards program presented annually by The Native American Music Association & Awards, which recognizes outstanding musical achievement among Native Americans...
Winner - American Indian Christmas
2005, Standing Stone/SOAR Records - American Indian Story
2006, Standing Stone/SOAR Records
2007 Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominated - New Moon Born
2009, Miss Molly Records
Singles
- "What Am I To You" b/w "Kind Of Love"(1997) - Top Forty on the Radio & RecordsRadio & RecordsRadio & Records was a trade publication providing news and airplay information for the radio and music industries. It originally started out as an independent trade from 1973 to 2006 until VNU Media took over in 2006, up until its final issue in 2009.-History:The company was founded in 1973 and...
’ rhythmic chart (Curb records) - "Near Me" b/w "The Price" (1998) - A cover of a song originally by the artist Sheryl CrowSheryl CrowSheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
. (Curb Records) - "Ooh, Baby, Baby" (1999) - A success on radio and in the Radio & Records, DMA, Hitmakers, and GavinGavinGavin is a male given name. It is the late medieval form of the name Gawain, which in turn is believed to have originated from the Welsh name Gwalchgwn, meaning "White Hawk." Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an epic poem connected with King Arthur's Round Table.Gavin also shares an origin with...
charts. Billboard magazine named "Ooh, Baby, Baby" pop Single of the Week in October. (Curb Records) - "More Than Life" (2001) - Reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Artists to Watch chart and peaked in Billboard Magazine’s Hot Shot Debut At #29. Remixes where made by DJ SkribbleDJ SkribbleDJ Skribble is an Italian-American DJ, producer, remixer, radio personality and actor.In the early 1990s he teamed up with Kamron, ATA, Firstborn, and Tommy Never in Young Black Teenagers, who released two albums before splitting up.In 1996 he worked with Bill Irwin on the musical Hip Hop Wonderland...
and Anthony AcidAnthony AcidAnthony Acid is an Italian-American DJ, producer and remixer. He has worked with the likes of Nast Nova, DJ Skribble, Brutal Bill, and Richie Santana.-Mixed compilations:*Diva Grooves, Vol. 3...
. (Curb Records) - "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" (2001) - A cover of a song originally by the artist Meat LoafMeat LoafMichael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
. (Curb Records). - "Stairway to Heaven" (2002) - Peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Singles SalesHot Dance Singles SalesHot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes...
chart, and was remixed by DJ SkribbleDJ SkribbleDJ Skribble is an Italian-American DJ, producer, remixer, radio personality and actor.In the early 1990s he teamed up with Kamron, ATA, Firstborn, and Tommy Never in Young Black Teenagers, who released two albums before splitting up.In 1996 he worked with Bill Irwin on the musical Hip Hop Wonderland...
. (Radikal Records) - "Found A Love" (2003) - (Radikal Records)
- "Do It Mr. DJ" (2004) - (Xtreme Records) (Peter Presta & Jana)
- "I'll Be With You" (2006) - (Standing Stone/Radikal Records)
- "A Change Is Gonna Come" (2009) - Miss Molly Records
Awards and nominations
- Merit Award 2009 - The Indie Fest for "A Change Is Gonna Come" video
- Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominations- Nominated 2007 - Best Native American Music AlbumGrammy Award for Best Native American Music AlbumThe Grammy Award for Best Native American Music Album was an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality albums in the Native American music genre...
for American Indian Story. - Nominated 2001 - Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. Co-writing on the song "Kiss and Tell" with Crystal LewisCrystal LewisCrystal Lewis is an American contemporary Christian/Gospel vocalist, songwriter and author.-Early years:Lewis grew up singing in her father's church...
, which appears on Lewis' album FearlessFearless (Crystal Lewis album)Fearless is the 9th studio solo album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.The album was nominated for a Grammy in 2001. Lewis was previously nominated for her contribution to the Kirk Franklin song "Lean On Me" in 1998. Fearless takes a decidedly more mainstream approach to the artists...
.
- Nominated 2007 - Best Native American Music Album
- Native American Music AwardsNative American Music AwardsThe Native American Music Awards , commonly known as the Nammys, are an awards program presented annually by The Native American Music Association & Awards, which recognizes outstanding musical achievement among Native Americans...
(NAMMY's)- 2001-2002
- Best Pop Artist
- Best Pop/Rock Recording (More Than Life)
- 2002-2003*
- Song of the Year (Stairway to Heaven)
- Best Female Artist (Found a Love)
- 2005-2006
- Record of the Year - Flash of a Firefly
- Best Producer (Stephan GalfasStephan GalfasStephan Galfas is a music producer, currently CEO of International Talent Organization, Inc. and Miss Molly Records.-Biography:Galfas is a producer, manager, promoter, mixer and recording engineer who has worked with many acts including Cher, The Allman Brothers Band, Meat Loaf, Stryper, Saxon, Dr...
and Alex Salzman) for Jana's American Indian Christmas
- 2007
- Best Pop Recording (American Indian Story)
- 2008
- Best Short Form Music Video (The Enlightened Time)
- Best Producer (Stephan GalfasStephan GalfasStephan Galfas is a music producer, currently CEO of International Talent Organization, Inc. and Miss Molly Records.-Biography:Galfas is a producer, manager, promoter, mixer and recording engineer who has worked with many acts including Cher, The Allman Brothers Band, Meat Loaf, Stryper, Saxon, Dr...
& Alex Salzman) for Jana's American Indian Christmas
- 2009
- Song/Single of the Year "A Change is Gonna Come"
- 2001-2002
- 2009 American Indian Film FestivalAmerican Indian Film FestivalThe American Indian Film Festival is an annual non-profit film festival in San Francisco. It is the world's oldest venue dedicated to Native American films and prepared the way for the 1979 formation of the American Indian Film Institute....
-
- Best Video "A Change is Gonna Come"
-
- Queens International Film Festival
- 2007
- Winner Best Domestic Music Video (The Enlightened Time)
- 2007
Acting career
- Jana appeared in the 2002 romantic comedy Dream Weaver, alongside prominent Native American actor Wes StudiWes StudiWesley "Wes" Studi is a Cherokee actor, who has earned notability for his portrayal of Native Americans in film. He has appeared in well-received Academy Award-winning films, such as Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves, Michael Mann's The Last of the Mohicans, the award-winning Geronimo: An...
. - Jana will star as Abbi in the upcoming film Raptor Ranch.
- Jana also made a cameo in the 2008 independent filmIndependent filmAn independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
Blue Gap Boy'zBlue Gap Boy'zBlue Gap Boy'z is a 2008 independent comedy film written and directed by Holt Hamilton. It stars Earnest "Ernie" David Tsosie III as James Nez and Beau Benally as Frankie B. Blue Gap Boy'z was filmed primarily in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as on the Navajo Nation in Blue Gap, Arizona.-Cast:-External...
as a singingSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
contestantContestantA contestant is someone who takes part in a competition, usually a professional competition or a game show on television. The participants competing against each other have to go through rounds...
.
Miscellaneous
- Jana Performed "A Change Is Gonna Come" at the American Indian Inaugural Ball January 20, 2009
- Jana performed for the First LadyFirst LadyFirst Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
Laura Bush during the First Lady's Luncheon (April 27, 2006). One of the songs she sang was her own "One Spirit." The theme of the function was "The First Americans." - Jana performed before a huge audience (+70,000) at the 2001 National Scout jamboreeNational Scout jamboree (Boy Scouts of America)The national Scout jamboree is a gathering, or jamboree of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Referred to as "the Jamboree", "Jambo", or NSJ, Scouts from all over the nation and world...
. - Jana performed at the 2001 Inaugural Ball.
- Jana chosen as Good Will Ambassador for The International Museum of Twenty-first Century Art (TIMOTCA)
External links
- JanaMashonee.com - Jana Mashonee's official website.
- Jana Mashonee at ReverbNation
- [ Jana's] Allmusic.com biography
- SingerUniverse Magazine March Best Vocalist Of The Month Winner Jana Mashonee