Interview Transcript

Nejdana: So you came back after [not] touring for seventeen years; why is it so important this time around to perform in intimate venues across Canada?

Jully: Well, right now, especially with just like the way the world is, I love that I can get out there and touch. You know what I mean? Just really have people see that I see them and they can see me; it's more so to be in community—not be so far away from each other.

Nejdana: Yeah, I really liked that FaceTime you did.

Jully: Did you like that? That came to me in a dream.

Nejdana: Really? I was going to ask you how you did that.

Jully: I was just like, "I want to try it."

Nejdana: That’s really cool.

Jully: Thank you.

Nejdana: And what makes this tour more special is that it’s during Black History Month and Women’s History Month and just celebrates Canada itself. What was your thought process in choosing these months to tour, and how did you want to honour and celebrate them through your performance?

Jully: Right, so it's too full because there are a lot of us out here; it takes a lot to put this together, so most of us between January and, say, April...there is no work. [laughs] People [are] waiting for festivals to start, so I had that in mind as well, and I do a lot of keynotes, like going to the schools, etcetera, but it's like music; performing is my passion. I need to feed my own soul too, right? So it's nice to be able to kind of corner these two months. And it's tough in the winter, I’m not going to lie, but im hoping that I'm hoping to turn it into a festival so that emerging artists, legacy artists—February and March, you know, it's kind of like how Drake has "OVO"; in August i want this to be that time.

Nejdana: That’s awesome, yeah. You have an unreleased song coming out with Jim Cuddy.

Jully: Yes!

Nejdana: How does that feel to be collaborating with another Canadian artist?

Jully: Well, he's a legend, like, and he’s a mentor now, like, super cool; he was able to kind of share his experiences. And it’s a song I sang as a kid. I remember my late sister would sing it; I heard it on the radio. So imagine being able to sing your favourite song with the person still. You know, sometimes you do songs and the person is not here anymore, but he’s alive and well and thriving—he's 70 years old—so I’m excited for Canada and the world to see that.

Nejdana: Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's awesome. Was it at any point difficult merging two different sounds? Because I know he’s country and you’re more R&B/Soul, would you clash at all, or was it just smooth sailing?

Jully: You know, so, fun fact: Jamaicans love country music and country and western TV shows, so i grew up hearing country in my house. And if you listen to, like, Bob Marley songs, they’re country songs basically, right like they’re [the genres] kind of interchangeable, so it was a perfect match.

The “Jully Black Experience” show was truly an experience. Black was able to conduct a performance that excelled in singing, dancing, and crowd work, all in such an intimate space. Upon watching the show and speaking to her, it is clear that Jully Black drives her craft through passion and love. On stage, she brought a live band, backup singers, and two openers to create a classic, yet fresh, feeling. Additionally, she performed her classic songs along with covers that captivated the whole audience. Jully Black's genuine connection and the meticulous technical attention highlight the performance; she is a true performer who perfects every corner of her artistry.

By: Nejdana Houshyar