Rashida Jolley

Rashida Jolley is an American harpist who uses her traditionally classical music instrument in hip-hop, R&B and pop music.[1] Jolley also writes her own songs, fusing many different genres together.

Biography

Jolley grew up in Washington, D.C. during which she attended Christian schools and was home schooled for her last few years of high school.[2] She is a graduate of Nyack College with a bachelor's degree in history.[3] Her father, Noble Jolley Sr., was a jazz guitarist who taught all of his seven children how to play and perform.[4] Jolley says that her mother chose the harp for her, but she says that it "was love at first sight."[5] Rashida Jolley began singing in her church choir when she was seven and was playing the harp at the DC Youth Orchestra Program (DCYOP) when she was ten.[4]

Career

In 1997, when she participated in her first Miss D.C. pageant, she was nicknamed "Baby Diva."[6] Jolley represented Washington, D.C. in the Miss America Pageant in 2000.[2] In 2004, she was on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS[3] and a speaker with the Project Reality abstinence education group.[7] She also released her first CD, "Love is Not a Game" in 2004.[8]

Jolley competed on America's Got Talent in 2009.[1] Jolley played harp for Lady Gaga on her 2010-2011 Monster Ball World Tour.[9] The Washington Post called Jolley a "head-banging harpist."[9][10] Jolley released her second album in 2011, titled "There's No One Else Like You."[11] She partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of DC in an anti-bullying program in 2013.[12]

Jolley has also performed on the BET Rap It Up Tour and at the Ludacris Foundation's Tribute to Quincy Jones.[13]

References
  1. "For Rashinda Jolley, A Harp to Make More Than Music". NPR. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  2. Rosenfeld, Megan (14 October 2000). "Checking Out the Competition: Is Miss America Our Ideal?". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  3. Giradi, Linda (1 November 2004). "Miss D.C. Delivers Message of Abstinence". The Beacon News. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  4. "Rashida Jolley - Harpist". East Coast Entertainment. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  5. Boussard, Kenneth (April 2011). "Rashida Jolley". Ebony. 66 (6): 66. Retrieved 9 January 2016 – via EBSCO.
  6. Parker, Lonnae O'Neal (23 June 1997). "Miss D.C.'s Return: A Crowning Moment". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  7. Wetzstein, Cheryl (23 January 2002). "Bush to Tap AIDS Panel Chiefs Soon". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  8. "Where Are They Now?". Miss District of Columbia. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  9. Stewart, Allison (31 January 2012). "Rashida Jolley on Touring With Lady Gaga and Being an R&B Diva/Harpist". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  10. Richards, Chris (8 September 2016). "In Concert: Lady Gaga at Verizon Center". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  11. "Rashida Jolley Party". Gaga Front Row. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  12. "Boys and Girls Club Partners with Lady Gaga Harpist Rashida Jolley to End Bullying". The Washington Informer. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  13. Monroe, Steve (14 August 2013). "Harpist, singer Rashida Jolley to perform at Arts and Humanities Festival". Hill Rag. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
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