MISSISSIPPI'S DAUGHTER
For over 15 years, Gabbie McGee has lived and worked as a multipotentialite creative; lovingly using her gifts and talents to paint the world around her with vibrant colors. Whether it’s advocating for the preservation of the Jazz music genre, passionately lending her voice to charitable causes like 'The Fight Against Cancer', contributing to the art of cinematic storytelling as an actress, or working as a style curator for the budding new lifestyle brand ‘Bloom and The Bee' – Gabbie is a woman of vision, determined to leave everything she touches just a little better than she found it.
With two independent albums (Certified Soul, Mississippi’s Daughter ) under her belt, BMI Independent Songwriter’s Recognition for her song ‘Mississippi’s Daughter’, The 2014 Belk Modern Southern Music Award, the 2014 Mississippi Arts Council Artist of the Year Award and featured appearances in the 2015 Emmy Award Winning HBO feature film ‘Bessie’; as well as the 2016 Academy Award Nominated ‘Hidden Figures’, Gabbie is rapidly becoming a recognizable face and name in the entertainment industry. Known for her powerful vocals and heart-gripping lyrics, Gabbie has added Film & Television music composer to her resume by contributing original music content to Season 6 of TV ONE’s Rickey Smiley For Real Show (2018). She also wrote, produced and performed the promotional theme song ‘Turn on the Lights’ for the highly anticipated 2020 remake of ‘Avenging Angels’, directed by American Television Producer Ilunga Adell.
Though she is a proud Greenville, Mississippi native, Gabbie makes her home in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, awarding winning audio engineer, George Kelly and their three children: Twins, Evelyn and Elijah and their youngest, Ella Grace.
A Message From Gabbie McGee
In the ever-accelerating rhythm of our world, Jazz stands as a timeless treasure, pulsating with the heartbeat of Black culture and the essence of the Black experience in America. It's more than a genre; it's a living testament to history, resilience, and creativity. For two decades, as a jazz singer, songwriter, and Jazz Preservationist, I've been privileged to be a part of this cultural legacy. Originally hailing from Greenville, Mississippi, and now rooted in Atlanta, Georgia for the past 18 years, Jazz has not just been my passion; it has been my life's guiding force. It's not merely about the music; it's about the transformative power it carries. It has given me a voice, a purpose, and a means to contribute positively to society.
This innovative Jazz Appreciation Library Tour: Jazz Lives in the Library— aims to weave Jazz into the fabric of education and preservation. By collaborating with libraries all over the country, I intend to create a dynamic platform for jazz appreciation all while drawing citizens back to the use of local libraries.
Through a series of performances, workshops, and discussions, I aspire to educate and entertain, forging a deeper understanding of Jazz's history and cultural significance. By engaging with local jazz musicians and leveraging the resources within these libraries, I seek to ensure that Jazz continues to thrive as a beacon of creativity and resilience.
In a world that races forward, Jazz remains a soulful, timeless echo of Black America's past, present, and future. It's a melody of hope, a rhythm of change, and a symphony of unity. With the support of this grant, I can ensure that Jazz's profound impact endures, enlightening hearts and minds for generations to come. Join us in preserving this musical treasure, for in Jazz, we find not just music, but the very soul of a community, the spirit of a people, and a testament to the enduring power of art and culture.
