9th Annual IMA Submission Spotlight: Jana Mashonee

ARTIST NAME: Jana Mashonee

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: New York area

WEB SITE: www.janamashonee.com, myspace.com/janamashonee, reverbnation.com/janamashonee

INFLUENCES: Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Cece Winans, Otis Redding, Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Toni Braxton

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Being Nominated for a GRAMMY, winning 7 NAMMYS (Native American Music Awards)

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE... It give us independent folks a chance to shine and be recognized for real musical talents, not because of the politics that often ruin other award programs.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Zooey Deschanel.

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: I have the freedom to make the music I want.

WHAT'S NEXT: Promoting my album, New Moon Born and touring with my new killer band!

SUCCESS= Perseverance

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: Well, the band members are extremely talented first and foremost! I am blessed to have them! Also, I have two traditional Native American dancers that perform with the band and this blends the traditional and contemporary elements of my music which is really cool:)

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? All over the United States, including many Native reservations.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? I've played many times in the Albuquerque, NM area, and Isleta Casino has a great stage and acoustics. Plus the overall facilities are quite nice.