Brooke “Viosocalist” Alford: Artist of the Violin

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog

Brooke “Viosocalist” (pronounced VIO as in Violin-SOUL-KA-LIST) Alford, an artist of the violin, releases her second CD, The Viosocalist, tomorrow.  TBGB caught up with her last week to discuss the new release and her musical journey.

BA: “Viosocalist” was formulated when I was recording my first CD, Expressions.  My producer said he felt my violin was singing, that it was soulful, and encouraged me to pick a title that was as unique as my approach.  Viosocalist describes my playing.  It’s my brand.  My whole approach to my art is a fresh experience on the violin, and I wanted a fresh title to associate with a fresh experience.

BA: I’ve been playing the violin almost twenty years now.  Initially, I wanted to play bass.  My mom said, “Are you going to carry that upright bass to school every day?”  And I was like, “No, you’re going to take me!”  She was like, “Whaaat?!”  Then I wanted to play the oboe, but my older sister wanted to play the clarinet, and to me, the oboe was too close to clarinet.  I wanted to do something different.  One day I was watching TV and saw young female violin players with an orchestra.  I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.  That’s what I wanted to do. 

BA: I listened to whatever my mom and dad listened to.  Since my mom is a music professional, she exposed us to a lot of classical music, but also a lot of R&B and gospel.  My father was into soul music.  The first person I listened to on the violin was Regina Carter.

BA: I have always enjoyed playing classical music, but my music teachers would say to me, “Just play what’s already there!”  I had a hard time playing precisely what was on the score because I wanted to add my own personality to the music, like a solo artist does.  So I knew I was going to be a solo artist in either classical or contemporary, because I just couldn’t play the robot!  I couldn’t be a machine in an orchestra.

TBGB: Did you study music in college?

BA: I went to Florida State University and studied at the College of Music with Beth Newdome, who was my violin professor throughout my four years of college.  She really encouraged me. She played a very large part in my life and in my career.  In fact, the violin I play on used to be her violin.  She passed away of cancer in 2010 and I dedicated [“Twenty Two”] on my new CD to her. 

BA: I have two of them: one is a boy and one is a girl, because they do have personalities and get moody from time to time!  My acoustic violin, the one that used to belong to Ms. Newdome, her name is Anaiyah.  I love playing acoustic because it is real, it is natural.  You feel the vibrations.  But I can add a lot to my electric violin, too, which looks different and funky and people enjoy seeing that.  Finny is his name!

BA: I’d say there’s a handful, about five I can think of off the top of my head, in classical and jazz/contemporary.  It’s not as common as females playing saxophone or keyboards, but they are out there.  It’s a bold direction to go into, and it takes a special type of person to do that.  It’s tough being in a male-dominated industry, but it’s a chance to convince people to be open to it.

BA: The Viosocalist is my second recording.  It marks my development as an artist.  My first CD Expressions [2007] was a live studio recording, incorporating styles from classical to gospel to R&B and jazz all in one project.  I’ve accumulated more experience since then and wanted this CD to have a bigger production dynamic.  Among the producers on The Viosocalist are Dem Dudes Productions from New York City, Norman Bradley and Mike Westberg out of New Jersey, and Steve Oliver out of L.A.

BA: REFRESH is the name of my band.  Viosocalist is all about the fresh approach, so REFRESH is about making you press the refresh button for a whole new experience. 

BA: I did.  My family is Baptist, but when we moved to Georgia from North Carolina, we joined Turner Chapel AME Church.  I’m used to all denominations, because I have played for many types of churches.

BA: There’s inspiration behind every track on the CD.  Music can be a blessing when it’s presented in a way that’s positive.  Whether you enjoy smooth jazz or straight gospel, you will appreciate the music and the messages on the CD.  

BA: It will be Tuesday, August 15, at the Karma Bistro [1179 South Hairston Road in Stone Mountain, Georgia] at 8:00 p.m.  I’m very excited about it!  We’re going to have a lot of fun.

BA: I don’t know who I’d be without fitness.  I’ve been an athlete all my life.  I started dancing at three, and my father and mother were athletic as well.  Being healthy and active were instilled in me at an early age.  When I got into competitive running in high school, I never looked back.  I still run and compete to this day.  My career is demanding, and physically demanding concerts take a toll on you.  To be physically fit helps me make it through the long days, late nights, and early mornings.  I encourage young musicians to look at health and fitness as a lifestyle, not just something to do, so you can do what you want to do on stage and not be worn out afterwards.