If you are headed to The National this Friday, be prepared to hear soulful sounds that are straight from the heart; soul music pioneer Patrice Rushen is hitting the stage in downtown Richmond.
Rushen, a Watts, California native, is known for her influential, genre-crossing style of jazz, fusion and R&B that has spanned over five decades. After three successful jazz albums on the Prestige label, Rushen would eventually sign with Elektra Records. During her time with the label, she would go on to release R&B hits such as “Haven’t Your Heard’ and “Forget Me Nots,” along with album cut classics such as “Settle For My Love” and “Remind Me”. Her catalog would go on to be sampled by hundreds of musicians.
Today, Rushen continues to tour and work on various music projects, including working on the score of the new comedy-drama American Fiction. She also teaches at University of Southern California-Thornton School of Music and the Berklee School of Music.
The Chill Factor host Brice Maddox recently had a chance to talk to Patrice about her life and career as she prepares for her Friday night performance in the Commonwealth.