Photo by Nicholas Donner
When Washington native Rashida Jolley went to her first harp lesson at her mother’s request at age 10, she wasn’t exactly thrilled.
Then again, the young girl had no way of knowing that the unusual, imposing instrument would one day lead to a career-launching stint on “America’s Got Talent” and a supporting role on the world tour of pop music superstar Lady Gaga.
However, that’s exactly what happened. Today, Jolley – the product of an intensely musical D.C. family – is on the verge of stardom herself as she aims to move the harp from the limited confines of classical music and the occasional wedding and into the mainstream. The former Miss D.C. melds classical harp with pop, hip hop and soul flourishes to create a unique and mesmerizing sound.
On Feb. 24, Jolley will rock Verizon Center as part of Lady Gaga’s “Fame Monster” tour. Recently, she spoke with On Tap about her own musical journey, her love of Washington, D.C. and landing the opportunity of a lifetime.
On Tap: Thanks for taking time to visit with On Tap. Tell us how you got selected to perform with Lady Gaga on her tour? What a terrific experience. How are audiences receiving you?
Jolley: I got an email about the tour auditions from a friend, and I was amazed that a pop tour of this magnitude was looking for a harpist. I couldn’t resist, I had to at least audition. I went to the audition and when I was selected, it was one of the greatest moments of my life. The audiences have been so wonderful. They see this different instrument on stage, and they seem to really get what I’m doing with it, and that means everything to me! I mainly play pop, but there is a moment where I do a little classical solo piece. I love it all! It’s so much fun!
OT: Tell us how you came to play the harp? It’s not exactly the instrument of choice for most 10-year-olds – yet.
Jolley: My mom came to me one day and told me that I was going to play the harp. I didn’t even know what a harp was at the time, and honestly, I did not want to go to my first lesson. My mom made me go to the lesson, but from the moment I saw the harp, it was love at first sight!
OT: Did you start with piano or something else and graduate to harp, or jump right in?
Jolley: I come from a musical family, so I started playing different instruments as a kid. I studied violin, piano and flute, but I never connected with an instrument the way I connected with the harp. My parents were determined to find the instrument that was for me. The harp was that instrument!
OT: Did you always have a pop sensibility in your approach to the instrument or did you focus on classical style and then forge your own sound as you became a more accomplished player?
Jolley: I’m classically trained on harp, but I also grew up singing in church. The music I sang was soul music, but the music I played on harp was classical. One day my mom came up with the idea of combining the harp and singing. So, I started learning to play R&B on the harp andcombining the harp with my voice, singing and playing simultaneously. The first song I learned to sing and play simultaneously was Stevie Wonder’s “If It’s Magic.” I love that song!!!! After that I started figuring out how to put the harp into Hip Hop, Pop and R&B songs.
OT: How do you describe your music to people who have never heard you perform?
Jolley: What I’ve heard from people who have heard me perform is that I changed the perception they had of the harp. Instead of seeing me sit at the harp and play, you will see a lot of headbanging, You may hear some percussion on the side of the harp, but most of the time I’m just rocking out with it. Sometimes I get a little carried away. I play a big harp that weighs 100 pounds and a little harp that weighs 7 pounds. The little harp straps on me like a guitar, and gives me freedom to dance and rock with music while I’m performing. I really hope to see the harp become a mainstream instrument like guitar, or piano.
OT: What is the hardest thing about breaking into the pop music business as a harpist? Does the relative novelty of the harp make it harder or easier?
Jolley: It’s been very hard breaking into the pop business because the harp is not considered a pop instrument. People are like, ‘Are you serious?’ With the help of my brothers,Nathan and Noble Jolley Jr., who are also musicians, we figured out how to mesh the harp into pop music. It’s a different way of playing and a different way of performing than classical music.
OT: Your father, Noble Jolley, was the first person to receive a jazz degree from Howard University. Your brothers and other family members are also musicians. How would you describe that influence and your father’s influence in particular?
Jolley: My father is my greatest influence! My father (now deceased) was a renowned jazz guitarist and composer. He was offered a record deal when he was in his twenties, but he turned it down so that he could dedicate himself to being a husband and a father. My brothers, Nathan and Noble Jolley Jr. have been a tremendous blessing to me. Nate is a professional drummer. Noble Jr., is a professional pianist, and they both are producers. They remind me so much of my father. They are so gifted and so giving with their gift! They have helped create my sound, and have been my musical mentors.
OT: You’re a third generation DC native. What are your favorite things about living in the city?
Jolley: I love DC! I love how diverse DC is. There are so many different cultures here! We have great museums and restaurants. I live in the Petworth area. Now that I have done a lot of traveling, I can see DC through the eyes of a tourist. There is so much history, and so many beautiful sights to see here. I know I’m biased, but to me DC ranks high on the list of great cities in the world. I love to eat, so when I come home I eat at some of my favorite restaurants like Busboys and Poets or B. Smiths, where I get to eat great food and hear my brothers perform. DC is a musical town, so many restaurants have live music, there are lots of jazz clubs,concerts and opportunities for musicians. I hope to see DC become like Motown was or like NY and Atlanta are one day! There is so much talent in this city and I would love to see DC get the recognition it deserves!
OT: In 2009, you made a great showing on “America’s Got Talent” and were very clearly a fan favorite. How did you get on the show and how has it helped your career?
Jolley: One morning I got up, and I thought to myself, ‘I should audition for Americas Got Talent.’ A few hours later, I got an email from a friend of mine about the Americas Got Talent Auditions. I didn’t even tell anyone that I was thinking about auditioning, and I didn’t know auditions were taking place at that time. So, for my friend to send me an email with the time and location for the audition, I figured that was a sign that I should go for it. So, I auditioned the next day, and I was selected to go and compete in NY, and then Vegas. Doing that show has opened up doors for me. It was an amazing experience.
OT: You’re also a former Miss DC. How did you get involved in that pageant and how did that help your career?
Jolley: My grandmother saw a news article about Miss DC Pageant auditions and she encouraged me to audition. I competed for 4 years before I won. I just kept going back, and going back until I finally won. Being Miss DC really opened doors for me. I am eternally grateful for that experience and all I learned from it. The best thing about being Miss DC was that it gave me the opportunity to represent my hometown and make a positive difference.
OT: So, what’s next in the bright future of Rashida Jolley?
Jolley: I go back on tour in February, and the tour lasts until May. My plan is to take the harp to the next level, and truly make the harp an official Pop/R&B instrument. I hope to put out music that inspires the world!
