ABOUT
Born and raised in Detroit, Vahn Black grew up surrounded by the sounds of Motown, Jazz, Techno, and Gospel music. This sonic melting pot aided in Black cultivating her soulfully charged sound, pulling vocal and production inspiration from artists like Sarah Vaughn and J Dilla.
As a teenager, Black attended the Detroit School of Arts where she received both jazz and classical training. Black continued her music education at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, receiving a B.A. in music performance and modern composition. Black's most recent work, The Gladys Bentley Project, is a collection of songs inspired by Gladys Bentley’s life and career as told in the 1952 Ebony magazine article I Am a Woman Again. Black’s work displays her efforts to preserve and uphold the stories and art of black musicians and the Black Forgotten––those whose stories have often been disregarded through prejudiced erasure or avoidance.
As a composer Black has lent her artistry to various art mediums from short films to interactive performance art, composing soundscapes for artists in residence at the Atlanta Contemporary museum and Atlanta Fashion Week runway showcases. In 2014 Black placed runner-up in the Detroit Jazz Festival's Youth Vocal competition and in 2023 was selected to perform at NPR's Tiny Desk on the Road Tour stop in Atlanta. She has also performed as an opening act for Anthony Hamilton, Chrisette Michelle, Elle Varner, and soul legends Frankie Beverly and Maze.
ALBUM
CREDITS
Album:
Luv n Chaos (2022)
Tracks:
"K-Town Funk" (featured artist)
"Foolish" (featured artist)
"Garden" by Flwr Chyld (2020)
Credit: featured artist
"Luvaroq" by Elujay ft. Serpentwithfeet (2021)
Credit: vocal production
