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THE BiTS INTERVIEw: Janiva Magness

Janiva Magness (born January 30, 1957) is an American

Grammy Award[3] nominated blues, soul, and Americana

singer, songwriter, and author. To date she has released

17 albums. In 2009, The Blues Foundation named her the

B.B. King Entertainer of the Year becoming only the

second woman, after Koko Taylor, to be so honoured. The

award was presented by B.B. King himself.

Ian McKenzie spoke to her on the telephone

at her home on the west coast of the USA.

JM: Hi Ian.

BiTS: Hi, Janiva, if you’re ready let's go. I know something
about your growing up and your childhood. I haven't read

your biography, but I know something about it anyway. But
first, tell me, where does the music come from?

JM: Thanks for asking that, Ian. My father was a beautiful

singer, and he played harmonica, as it turns out. The musical
side would come from his side of the family. He was never, I
shouldn't say never, he was not a professional musician as

such, even though he did sing on the radio with a group in very
early days.

BiTS: That’s very interesting.

JM: Before he and my mother even met.

BiTS: And when did you start singing, then?

JM: I was what is considered a late bloomer, meaning I didn't

start trying until I was around 19 years old, and in the music
business, nowadays people start you when you're five [chuckles].

BiTS: That's very true [chuckles]. That's very true.

JM: So 19’s a late bloomer but didn't really end up pursuing it as
a career until I was in my 20s.

BiTS: What drove you to it, Janiva?

JM: I mean, I didn't understand it at the time. I need to qualify
that. I didn't understand what was happening, but today I can