- Hello everybody, I'm Satori Shakoor.

Welcome to Detroit Performs live from Marygrove, where Detroit's talented artists take the stage and share insights into their performances.

This episode is curated by Detroit Free Press arts and culture reporter, Duante Beddingfield.

Whose brought musician and singer Veronique Musique to perform.

So get ready to enjoy.

Let's watch right here on Detroit Performs live for Marygrove.

(upbeat soul music) - [Announcer] Funding for Detroit performs is provided by the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation.

Gregory Haynes and Richard Sonenklar.

The Kresge Foundation.

The A. Paul and Carol C. Schapp Foundation.

The Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

the National Endowment for the Arts.

And by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

(upbeat soul music continues) (screen whooshes) - Hello, everybody.

It's my pleasure to be sitting here with Duante Beddingfield, arts and culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press, curator of tonight's episode.

Hi, Dante.

- Hi, thank you so much for having me.

I was very flattered to be asked.

- What kind of background do you have in terms of critiquing or reporting on opera and all these different diverse genres of art?

- Well, I trained in theater and and writing for many, many years in an art school that I attended from seven through 12 and then up through college, and was a semi-professional actor for almost 20 years.

I was a dancer for almost 20 years.

I was a jazz singer for a while there.

2024 marks my 20th year as a journalist.

- Okay.

- So most of my background is in arts and culture reporting.

So I've got a long, long history with this.

Basically how I describe my job to people is I do cool stuff and I meet cool people and then I get paid to write about it and tell others.

So the reporting is the telling people you know what's coming, what's happening.

For instance, you know, an article that I did recently that was on the front page was about the new Black film exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts, reporting, letting them know this is here and why it's important and why you should come see it.

- This has been your life.

- Yes.

- Well, you know, I think that with Detroit becoming like an art gallery, like this, you know preeminent town for arts, I think it's very important that we have you.

- Oh thank you.

- Yeah.

'Cause there's so much going on and I think that Detroit needs to be profiled.

- I wish there were three people in my position because there's so much more than just one person can get to.

I mean, every day there's so many things.

Every day of the week there's incredible music.

Just to be able to write about the incredible music that you can hear in one day you know, or one weekend here in Detroit, and that's leaving out the visual arts and ballet and everything else that's going on.

That's why I wanted to be in Detroit.

I was hearing about this being a place where, because so many had deserted it, unfortunately, where young people could put their hands in the dirt and build the city they wanted to grow old in.

And I wanted to be a part of that so badly.

And I tried and I tried and I tried for years, and finally it worked out in the best way possible because I have the best job in the world.

- How did you put the elements of tonight's episode together?

- Well, there's a singer in the Detroit region that I've really come to enjoy.

Her name is Veronique Musique, and she's probably best known these days for taking part in Sky Covington's "Satin Dolls Revue," which pays tribute to you know, late jazz legends.

And she portrays Nancy Wilson and does a tribute to her.

But what a lot of people you know, who have discovered her through that may not realize is that Veronique has talent and passion that goes far beyond just attributing Nancy Wilson.

And so I thought I'd contact her, and she's on today doing some originals of hers.

We're getting a one person show today, - Oh.

- and that's one of the reasons I'm really excited.

It's gonna be the first time in a long time in Detroit that people will hear her featured not doing the Nancy Wilson tribute.

- I'm excited.

I'm excited to see her performance.

Thank you so much, Dante.

And we're so excited to head to the stage to consume and to be lifted up by Veronique Musique.

(screen whooshes) (upbeat funk music) ♪ Oh, yeah ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ In my darkest hour, you came ♪ ♪ You gave me hope when all my hope was gone ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ [Backing] You gave me peace, you gave me joy ♪ ♪ [Backing] Now my life is so brand new ♪ ♪ And it's all because of you ♪ ♪ You filled my life with brighter days ♪ ♪ And you promised you would make my way ♪ ♪ Out of no way ♪ ♪ [Backing] You said ♪ ♪ You said ♪ ♪ Baby, don't you cry ♪ ♪ I can wipe the tears from your eyes ♪ ♪ For you I make the sacrifice ♪ ♪ So you can have eternal life, yeah ♪ ♪ [Backing] Save me from the muck and my reclaim ♪ ♪ Oh you came, you came, oo, you came ♪ ♪ [Backing] Promise you will never let me fall ♪ ♪ You came ♪ ♪ [Backing] Promise you would be that all I know ♪ ♪ Through my insecurities ♪ ♪ Lord, you set me free ♪ ♪ You opened my eyes so I could see ♪ ♪ [Backing] All the best things that you gave to me ♪ ♪ And if I trusted you said you'd be there to see me through ♪ ♪ All my trials, tribulations, all my worldly obligations ♪ ♪ All I have to do is believe in you ♪ ♪ And let you do the things you do ♪ ♪ Oh, oh yeah ♪ ♪ Let me keep me ♪ ♪ Hold me, save me ♪ ♪ I'm gonna say it again, say it again because you came ♪ ♪ [Backing] Save me from the muck and my reclaim ♪ ♪ Oh you came, hey, hey, hey yeah you came, yeah ♪ ♪ [Backing] Promise you will never let me fall ♪ ♪ You came ♪ ♪ [Backing] Promise you would be that all I know ♪ ♪ Your worst sins ♪ ♪ Let not your heart be troubled ♪ ♪ Believe I can make everything all right ♪ ♪ For my own is easy ♪ ♪ And my burdance ♪ ♪ [Backing] And my burdance ♪ ♪ And my light ♪ ♪ Let not your spirit ♪ ♪ Be dismayed ♪ ♪ I'll be your refuge through your storms and rain ♪ ♪ Said I am ♪ ♪ Yes he is ♪ ♪ He said I am going to God alone ♪ ♪ I won't need your help today ♪ ♪ [Backing] Save me from the muck and my reclaim ♪ ♪ Oh he came ♪ ♪ [Backing] Pay the price and save me from my soul ♪ ♪ He sent his God, he saved my soul, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ [Backing] Promise you will never let me fall ♪ ♪ You came ♪ ♪ [Backing] Promise you would be that all I know ♪ ♪ Oh yeah, you came ♪ ♪ [Backing] Save me from the muck and my reclaim ♪ ♪ Save me from the muck and my reclaim ♪ ♪ You paid the price that saved my soul that day, yeah ♪ ♪ You said you'd never let me fall ♪ ♪ Oh yeah ♪ (screen whooshes) (mellow soul music) ♪ Know yourself, yeah ♪ ♪ Oh, ♪ ♪ Oo ♪ ♪ If you've got to look inside your heart to find ♪ ♪ What you're truly made of ♪ ♪ You've got to know that God created you for greatness ♪ ♪ Only you know who you are ♪ ♪ And who you want to be ♪ ♪ You've got to let go ♪ ♪ Don't be afraid to find your destiny ♪ ♪ You've got to know ♪ ♪ [Backing] Know your heart ♪ ♪ Know your heart ♪ ♪ [Backing] Know your mind, own your body ♪ ♪ Feel your soul ♪ ♪ Have understanding ♪ ♪ [Backing] Be demanding ♪ ♪ You can demand your right yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Oh my babies you need to know, yeah ♪ ♪ [Backing] Know your heart ♪ ♪ [Backing] Know your mind, own your body ♪ ♪ [Backing] Feel your soul ♪ ♪ Understand your heart ♪ ♪ [Backing] Have understanding, be demanding ♪ ♪ [Backing] Respect your thoughts ♪ ♪ Let your spirit grow ♪ ♪ Hold on to your dreams ♪ ♪ No you can succeed ♪ ♪ [Backup] Just believe in the promise ♪ ♪ you were made for greatly ♪ ♪ Stand tall, be strong ♪ ♪ You can make it, just believe ♪ ♪ [Backing] All you have to do ♪ ♪ Because I believe in you ♪ ♪ Don't be afraid of your dreams ♪ ♪ [Backing] Don't be afraid ♪ ♪ Reach out ♪ ♪ [Backing] Afraid ♪ ♪ You will be seen ♪ ♪ Know yourself ♪ ♪ [Backing] Know your heart ♪ ♪ Know your mind ♪ ♪ [Backing] Own your body ♪ ♪ Feel your soul ♪ ♪ You can understand ♪ ♪ [Backing] Have understanding, ♪ ♪ Be demanding, respect your thoughts ♪ ♪ [Backing] Let your spirit grow ♪ ♪ Let your spirit flow ♪ ♪ As you grow my baby ♪ ♪ [Backing] Know your heart ♪ ♪ [Backing] Know your mind, own your body ♪ ♪ Feel your soul ♪ ♪ [Backing] Have understanding, be demanding ♪ ♪ You can respect ♪ ♪ Respect yourself ♪ ♪ Believe in your dreams ♪ ♪ Know who you are ♪ ♪ [Backing] Know your heart ♪ ♪ [Backing] Know your mind, own your body ♪ ♪ [Backing] Feel your soul ♪ ♪ I believe in you, you've got to believe in yourself, baby ♪ ♪ [Backing] Let your spirit grow ♪ ♪ Let your spirit grow, oh ♪ ♪ Know your body ♪ ♪ You own your life ♪ ♪ Trust in God and everything will be all right ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Let your spirit grow ♪ ♪ I know what you can do ♪ (screen whooshes) (gentle keyboard music) ♪ It's a part of life ♪ ♪ It's a, it's a part of life ♪ ♪ Born to die ♪ ♪ Left to cry ♪ ♪ Just alone ♪ ♪ It's a part of life ♪ ♪ Give and take ♪ ♪ Hearts will break ♪ ♪ Just to learn it's a part of life ♪ ♪ It's a part of life ♪ ♪ It's a part of life, oh ♪ ♪ It's a ♪ ♪ It's a part of life ♪ ♪ Bills come and go ♪ ♪ People will show who they really are ♪ ♪ Who they really are ♪ ♪ Life is a test everyday ♪ ♪ Prepares me to pass along the way ♪ ♪ It's a ♪ ♪ It's a part of life ♪ ♪ It's a part of life ♪ ♪ It's a part of life ♪ ♪ Bills come and go ♪ ♪ People will show who they really are ♪ ♪ Who they really are ♪ ♪ Life is a test everyday ♪ ♪ Prepares me to pass along the way ♪ ♪ It's a ♪ ♪ It's a part of life ♪ ♪ Never give up, don't you, don't you ever give up ♪ ♪ Don't you ever give up ♪ ♪ Don't you ever give up ♪ ♪ Oh it's a ♪ ♪ Part of life ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ (screen whooshes) (gentle keyboard music) ♪ Frozen in time ♪ ♪ Shadows fade into night ♪ ♪ Like waves our emotions flow ♪ ♪ Into each other ♪ ♪ In tune to your rhythm, oh ♪ ♪ Creating melodies so sweet ♪ ♪ The sound of your heart beating ♪ ♪ Makes me hope ♪ ♪ Touches the essence of my soul ♪ ♪ Soul to soul ♪ ♪ My soul ♪ ♪ My soul ♪ ♪ Elevated from the physical ♪ ♪ The love we share is mystical ♪ ♪ Transcending to the spiritual ♪ ♪ Inferior ♪ ♪ You're my miracle ♪ ♪ Soul to soul ♪ ♪ Oh yeah ♪ ♪ Cosmic interaction ♪ ♪ Uncontrollable attraction ♪ ♪ Veriations of love ♪ ♪ Makes feeling ♪ ♪ Of perfect satisfaction, oh ♪ ♪ Soul to soul ♪ ♪ Touches the essence of my soul ♪ ♪ Soul to soul ♪ ♪ My soul ♪ ♪ My soul ♪ ♪ Cosmic interaction ♪ ♪ Uncontrollable attraction ♪ ♪ Veriations of love ♪ ♪ Perfect satisfaction ♪ ♪ Oo ♪ ♪ Soul ♪ ♪ Soul ♪ ♪ Soul ♪ ♪ Soul ♪ ♪ Soul ♪ ♪ Soul ♪ ♪ Touching the essence of my soul ♪ (screen whooshes) - And we're back from the stage from that amazing performance by Veronique Musique.

Hi Veronique.

- Hi, how are you?

- I'm very well, thank you.

So Mr. Beddingfield talked so highly about you, (Veronique laughing) your range of music and styles.

So can you take us back to when you were first inspired?

- Oh wow, music has just been a part of my life, my entire life.

My paternal family, everybody from my granddad to aunts and uncles, cousins.

We all sing and or play instruments, so.

- Okay.

- And my dad also plays instruments.

- And what drew you to Jazz and Nancy Wilson and these, (Veronique laughing) these amazing artists who, like actors.

- Wow, I have always just been drawn to music.

There's never been a specific genre.

Like I like some country, I like rock, I mean I just like music.

As long as the music appeals to me, I fell into jazz.

I never imagined that I was a jazz singer, artist, performer.

Sky Covington, who is the creator of you know, the Satin Dolls.

She came to me a year ago and said, and you know, in her Sky way, beloved, can you do Nancy Wilson?

And I'm like, you want me to do Nancy Wilson?

She said, yes, I would love for you to do Nancy Wilson.

You just embody her to me Backstory is, I have always been a Nancy Wilson fan and I saw her on PBS.

She was doing a concert and the very song that I saw her sing was, "Guess Who I Saw Today?"

And from that moment on, I started to research her and I started to look at her music and listen and learn more about her.

And so ironically, when she asked me could I do it, I was like, okay, I think, so.

- That's wonderful.

- Yes.

- So, but today, this, for this evening's performance, you performed all original music - I did, I did.

The first one is "You Came", the second one is my love letter to my children.

It was the very first soul music track that I created, and it's called "Know Yourselves".

Very special to me.

They were teenagers in high school and I can just remember thinking, I need to give them something more.

And when I heard the track, I heard those lyrics in that track.

- Wow.

- The third song is a newer song that I did, it's called "A Part of Life".

And that song actually was, I did not write that particular song.

That song, I was trying to go a different direction.

So a friend of mine, her name is Sophia Janelle, she's out of Flint, amazing artist, amazing vocalist.

I sent her the blank track and I sent her the track with my idea and I asked her to take it and do whatever she wanted to do, gimme her ideas to help me fix it.

When she wrote it and she sent it back, I immediately knew that's what the song should be.

So a part, it's a part of life.

And the last song is the very first soul music song that I wrote with Aaron Carl, and it's called "Veriations".

- Thank you very much, Veronique Musique.

And thank you for watching Detroit performs live from Marygrove.

I'm your host, Satori Shakoor, come on back now.

(upbeat soul music) - [Announcer] Funding for Detroit performs is provided by the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation.

Gregory Haynes and Richard Sonenklar.

The Kresge Foundation.

The A. Paul and Carol C. Scott Foundation.

The Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

The National Endowment for the Arts.

And by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

(upbeat soul music continues)