"Life to me is something I cherish, due to all my trials and tribulations, of which I am currently writing my life story. I feel that each person’s life should stand out not blend in, once you blend, you will never take chances and be creative."

Garnetta Cromwell: Time To Shine

Garnetta Cromwell is a classic soulful Blues artist that delivers a high-energy show. Her band, GARNETTA CROMWELL & DaGROOVMASTERS is a reflection of Canada's multicultural society. Their upbeat music brings pure joy to all listeners. Garnetta has graced the stage with Juno and Maple Blues Award recipient, Hall of Famer, the King of Boogie Woogie, Mr. Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and Blue Rodeo and many more notable blues artists. Garnetta won the Toronto Blues Society's (TBS) Talent Search (2022), competed at the IBC January, 2023. "Time To Shine" (2023) is Canadian singer / songwriter Garnetta Cromwell’s debut release and is a very impressive soul, blues, R&B release. Featuring eight self-written tracks and two well-chosen covers, the album was recorded mostly live with a crack band of Toshi Otani (guitar), Mark Howe (bass), Robin Houston (drums), Sabian Crosswell (keys) and Juan Arce (tenor saxophone), together, DaGROOVMASTERS. Time To Shine also features an all-female horn section of Rebecca Hennessy, Colleen Allen, Carrie Chesnutt and Elena Kapeleris, backing vocalists Quisha Wint and Selena Evanageline, and producer Ken Whiteley added extra guitar, organ and backing vocals.                               (Photo: Garnetta Cromwell)

The album opens with a swinging tribute to Cromwell’s mother, “Miss Marva Ann”. The upbeat, dancing groove, glorious stabbing horn parts and optimistic, autobiographical lyrics are an excellent reflection of what is to be found on the rest of the album. The two covers on the album fit seamlessly into the overall tone and messaging: Ruthie Foster’s “Singing The Blues” is given an organ-driven makeover with a great sax solo from Arce, while James Brown’s “Think (About It)” is neatly re-purposed to reflect a female perspective. Garnetta's style of upbeat music brings pure joy to all listeners and she continues to spread her soulful blues sound throughout her performances. Garnetta's autobiography, "Time To Shine" book will be coming out in 2025.

Interview by Michael Limnios                  Special Thanks: Sarah French Publicity

How has the Gospel, Soul and Blues music influenced your views of the world? Where does your creative drive come from?

When I view the world, I think of many things, that puts me in a negative and sad disposition. I grew up listening and singing Gospel, Soul, and Blues. I sang in my Church choir as a child, right into my mature adult life. My maternal grandfather was a Preacher, and he led the AME Church in his hometown, Amherst, Nova Scotia. My mother ALWAYS had music playing in the house. However, I always knew what mood she was in by the tempo of music. My creative drive comes from my life experience or lack of. I enjoyed and excelled in poetry. I was very poetic during my pre-teens and teenage years. I used to write poetry to my mother, whenever I was getting punished.  You know, to try and “sweeten” her up to so that she would allow me to go outside and play with my friends.  During my school years, I often excelled in my English courses, like book reports and essays and so on.

I grew up with 5 older sisters, Soul music was constantly played in my house! My sisters and I would always be dancing and singing. When I was around 7 years old, my mother made outfits and dressed us up like Diana Ross & The Supremes and we would enter local singing contests. So, I grew up connecting music with happiness. 

I have noticed that the Soul (RnB) songs of today, do not send “goosebumps”/” chills” up and down my spine, like the ones I grew up listening to, and I wanted to bring that passion back, because it is clearly missing in today’s music. It’s the passion, musically and vocally, in Soul (RnB) that renders the “chills”.

"I have been singing all my life and there have been times that I thought to myself, “Garnetta” you are wasting your time on singing. I say this because, I found myself “burnt” out by talent shows or contests. You see in this world; racism is alive and well." (Photo: Garnetta Cromwell)

How do you describe your songbook and music philosophy? Is there a message you are trying to convey with your art?

I don’t really have a songbook; I just write what I am feeling. Being raised as a no nonsense and strong woman, I had and still have lots to write about.  I guess you can say that I write about women empowerment, two-timing men, strength and perseverance, kindness and courage and my message would always be a positive one due to my outlook on life.  I may be walking down the street, cleaning the house, washing dishes, or just doing laundry, and I would hear a rhythm and just start to think of something on a whim. I will put together a foundation for a new song.  So, my music philosophy comes from what lies in front of me.

What moment changed your music life the most? 

I have been singing all my life and there have been times that I thought to myself, “Garnetta” you are wasting your time on singing. I say this because, I found myself “burnt” out by talent shows or contests. You see in this world; racism is alive and well. I would always be racially discriminated against, being the only person of color to enter a singing contest and even though the other competitors would prematurely congratulate me, on my fantastic performances, I would never win. If I had a dollar each time a competitor said, “wow, you are definitely the winner”, I would be rich.  Unfortunately, I have experienced lots of racism in the Eastern part of Canada, like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, that I just want to stop singing so that my confidence wouldn’t be hindered. As I became older and wiser, I had decided that I will not allow any racist bastards try to control my singing destiny!

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Nowadays, I miss those “chills” running up and down my spine from hearing an artist singing with true passion. My hopes that those happy chills will come back, and that history will repeat itself, in the music industry. My fears are that the younger generation will rely on “auto-tune” when singing and the genre of Soul music will disappear completely. I am getting confused as to what represents Soul music these days.

"My creative drive comes from my life experience or lack of. I enjoyed and excelled in poetry. I was very poetic during my pre-teens and teenage years. I used to write poetry to my mother, whenever I was getting punished. You know, to try and “sweeten” her up to so that she would allow me to go outside and play with my friends. During my school years, I often excelled in my English courses, like book reports and essays and so on." (Photo: Garnetta Cromwell)

What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

My highlights so far in my career has been my Western Canadian Tour, Massey Hall, other big venues, and the best thus far, is when I hear my music being played on the radio and when my audience is singing along with me, at my shows.

What does to be a female artist in the music industry? What was/is the status of women in music?

I have noticed that there are not many Females led blues bands in this industry filled with men. I have also noticed that being “pushed aside” happens in this industry. If you are not a powerful (vocally), determined women, you can be overlooked very easily in the Blues & Soul genre, so thank goodness, I was raised by strong women who have something and who are not easily intimidated.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I hope that when my audience listen to my music, whether man or woman, that they can relate to my stories. Not only is my music geared to uplifting women, but there are also women in every man’s life. His mother, sister, wife and hopefully, he can reach out to those women and lift them up as well. I want to encourage young women and children to be strong and never give up on your passion, even when there are assholes out there waiting for you to fail.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

To be persistent, never give up on your dreams, don’t be afraid to create, don’t let other people’s words bring you down. I also learned that this is not the 1950s or 1960s, so being discovered for a record label no longer finds you and if you are doing it on your own, you will lose money before making money, (I hope.), so don’t let that be the deciding factor, when it comes to your dream, you only live once, so now is the time!!!!!

"I have noticed that there are not many Females led blues bands in this industry filled with men. I have also noticed that being “pushed aside” happens in this industry. If you are not a powerful (vocally), determined women, you can be overlooked very easily in the Blues & Soul genre, so thank goodness, I was raised by strong women who have something and who are not easily intimidated."

(Photo: Garnetta Cromwell)

John Coltrane said "My music is the spiritual expression of what I am...". How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

I total agree with Mr. John Coltrane, my music is also sharing my spiritual expressions. Writing “Miss Marva Ann, track #1”, expresses my love to my mother and to the world. Writing “Open Jam (On Hess Street), track #3, portrays my happiness when jamming with other fantastic musicians and writing my love letter to my sister, “Hey You Girl” shows my softer spirit and letting her know that unconditional love I have for her in her time of need. Life to me is something I cherish, due to all my trials and tribulations, of which I am currently writing my life story. I feel that each person’s life should stand out not blend in, once you blend, you will never take chances and be creative.

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