Art and Well Being with Jenn Johns

In this episode of You Can’t Eat Art, listeners will be immersed in the rich and resonant sound vibrations created by LAP guest artist, Jenn Johns. Jenn is a multidisciplinary artist who transcends genres but is best known as a powerful vocalist blending high energy and deep spirituality. Her extraordinary gift for using music as medium for shared communication has earned her the moniker, “High Priestess of Oakland.”

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About Jenn Johns: 

Jenn Johns, a beacon of multidisciplinary artistry, stands at the forefront of the global music and arts scene. Renowned as a dynamic vocalist, innovative songwriter, and inspiring producer, her impact transcends these titles, embodying a unique fusion of music, visual arts, and theater. Her work in social, environmental, and food justice cements her position not just as an artist, but as a visionary activist. Johns has captivated audiences worldwide, from Denver to Düsseldorf, Los Angeles to London, with her distinct blend of Afro-diasporic world music. She has shared stages with iconic artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill, Damian, Stephan and Ziggy Marley, Yasiin Bey, and Meshell Ndegeocello, and graced revered venues such as The Kennedy Center and The Apollo. Her performances are more than entertainment; they are powerful calls to unity and empowerment seasoned with sensuality and sass! For more about Jenn, visit our webpage ⁠here⁠ and Jenn’s ⁠website⁠. Follow Jenn ⁠@thejennjohns⁠

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About Clara Kamunde:

Clara Kamunde is an Oakland-based, Kenyan-born cultural worker practicing at the intersection of arts education and social justice. Her career began with the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles where, as a grantee for the Artist-In-The-Community program, she collaborated with community organizations to produce and present site-integrated programming in  traditionally under-served communities throughout Greater Los Angeles.  She is a Marcus Curatorial Fellow at Montalvo Arts Center.

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About the Lucas Artists Residency Program:

Established in 1939, Montalvo Arts Center is home to the third oldest residency program in the United States. In 2004, Montalvo re-committed to its support of artists by opening a new, state-of-the-art facility, relaunching as the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Residency Program. The residency is dedicated to providing artists with a flexible and expansive space in which to create, encouraging the creative process, risk taking, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary investigation of contemporary issues. The LAP is a hybrid model that supports uninterrupted time to develop new work, while offering opportunities to share ideas and projects through public programming and partnerships.For more info about the residency, visit our ⁠website⁠. Follow the LAP ⁠@lucasartres⁠

Credits:
“Syndrome” from the album Tide’s Arising Instrumentals (Mashibeats, 2024) used with permission of LAP 2023 CA Fellow Mark de Clive-Lowe; © Mark de Clive-Lowe/Mashibeats  

Podcast cover art created by Olivia Esparza© Montalvo Arts Center, 2025 

Transcript

Episode 1: Art Heals with Jenn Johns

[00:00:00] 
Welcome to You Can’t Eat Art. I'm your host, Clara Kamunde. And I'm thrilled to have you with us today. Whether you make art consume art or somewhere in between, you can't eat art is for anyone who's ever been touched by a book, a painting, a poem, a song, a performance, or had any experience with any form of art. that's somehow imprinted on your mind, or your soul and continues to resonate.

This podcast is also for anyone who questions, whether art is relevant. 
And it's specifically for the person who said to me, Oh, it is a waste of time. You can't eat art. Welcome. One at all, let's explore the power and purpose of art. How it has the ability to heal. Challenge [00:01:00] inspire and transform. And most importantly, let's explore why art matters now more than ever. 

In today's episode, Art Heals. We're diving into the immersive sound experiences created by our guest, Jen Johns, AKA the high priestess of Oakland. All right, let's get started. Get ready to be entertained, informed, and inspired. This. is You Can't Eat Art.

Are y'all feeling good? Great! In Oakland, California, make some noise for Jen Jones! I love you, Lord!And I [00:02:00] laymy heartto worship you.Oh my soul, rejoiceand take joy, my queen.It was you. You hear me? Sweet. Sweet. Sweet sound. And you're in your.[00:03:00] You

That sweet sound in your ear is opening the first track on the album Jen Johns Live at the New Parish. Jen Johns, it's my honor to have you as my very first guest on You Can't Beat Art.This podcast is about the power and purpose of art. Thinking back to your earliest musical memories, please tell me about an artist or a song you heard in childhood that shapes your perspective on the power and purpose of music.

 I've been singing since before I could speak. My parents would put me in the bathtub and they would joke cause I was, big they could put me in this little tub and they weren't worried about whether I was going to drown I would just sing just [00:04:00] make sounds. And then when I had words, I would sing those words over and over the most profound moment as a child was, the first time I heard We Are The World, I knew Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, but We Are The World, I was like, Oh my God, all of them together this amazing. I come home my parents are in the kitchen and I'm like, I'm going to perform Are The World for you I sing the whole thing. From beginning to end. And, my parents are like, you want to know why that song was written? And that was the first time I heard the word hunger. Wow. The first time I understood there was a place called Africa. I remember being like, okay. My father worked for the airlines. Do the planes go to Africa? They do. Okay. Everybody's not going to eat their leftovers. Why can't we just send them? Like why can't I don't understand and you know, 
That moment really impacted me because I got to learn about the world. Then I created a sing-a-thon at my church. If Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones say that you're going to have to raise money in order to get money to the far off place called Africa, then [00:05:00] I guess. And so we did a 24 hour sing a thon and raised 10, 000 and sent it to Bishop Tutu. After that our church community started feeding people in the area that needed support. Even though we didn't cure hunger, we impacted hunger it makes me choked up just thinking about it.

 
Wow. That's the root of your activism. So you started singing before you could talk, did you take formal music lessons?

Not really. my dad can sing. And so he gave me a lot of really good tools as a little person that I actually use now. I took a couple of classes from Jackie Harrison, who's a really incredible voice teacher, I was blessed to be in the Oakland Youth Chorus and taught how to truly. Use my voice by incredible people. Trent Morant deserves an award some magic sword. Elizabeth Melanie DeMore, Tina Harrington.
 People At the top of their game as conductors, as ensemble leaders were our teachers. I mean, Sweet Honey and the Rock was writing music just for us. 

That is such an incredible foundation. Preparing for this interview, I've had your music on rotation one thing became very clear you defy categories, genres, boundaries. So I'm curious, how Would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard your music?

 It's changing. So, it's hard for me to say. Because for the last, 10, 15 years, I would have said, it's Afro diasporic soul, I really love drums.From all over the African diaspora. I like to, use different languages, writing, and having someone translate into Xhosa Zulu or Swahili that's my jam, this music I'm making now is, different kind of bass heavy. I haven't produced for public consumption. Anything electronic for a while.

 I'd like to play a part  of Lose Your Mind. Another track from Jen John's Live at the New Parish.
You please crazy is as crazy does it do than you think. Come apart, babe. Bustin at the seams. Pourin out your heart. Give a fuck what they think. Pounds of smoke and bass for the fiend. Broken beats for broken hearts bleeding in these streets. It's a lot better for those who care Now, speak the truth loud.We were born free to recall that we are creatures. Get wild in these streets, dancing on that

In this clip I hear Tina Turner, Nina Simone, Bob Marley, for goodness sake. It does bring to mind that, French word terroir. The environment the earth that, gives wine its character and flavor. And earth is the perfect metaphor for your voice. It's organic. Earthy. Hummus for the soul is can I quote you on that? Absolutely. So talk about, the environment, the culture that brings this richness to your sound. 

I am from Oakland, California. That's the first earth you hear, it's the true earth. The thing about Oakland especially from the time I grew up is, Oakland is the best of the American experiment.There was never a school event where there wasn't Filipino food, Vietnamese food, Laotian food, there's a hundred and fifty languages spoken in Oakland, I was raised in that environment it made me really interested in the world. I've been blessed to travel the world [00:09:00] with my art. 

I want to turn to your activism . And pause our conversation to play some audio that sheds light On Jen Johns, the activist,
It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure that our human rights are taken care of and in doing so We become each other's answer prayers if there's room for individuals to investigate their own talents and their own purpose, then we long for nothing because each one takes care of one. The only thing that stands in our way from protecting everyone's right. To the space that's required to imagine freedom is fear.

Jen, can you give us some context on what we just heard.

We believe the gateway to freedom is fun. the F. U. N. Manifesto stands for Free U Now. You have to journey through the thing that excites you. When we give [00:10:00] ourselves that luscious fertile energy of fun, then we have the capacity to be curious. Many of us are watching the news right now, and we feel helpless because we can't go and fix the problem. We get caught up thinking we have to lift the whole world. But, If we were all functioning inside of our zone of genius, none of this would be a problem. We are of best service to humanity because we're functioning in our own zone of genius. 

You make that point in the video that we are all artists. I'm looking at a wall covered with visual art. Talk about the relationship between your different practices.

I've been an epic doodler my entire life. And I've always wanted to be. A multidisciplinary artist, but it wasn't until I started almost 10 years ago, coming to Montalvo that I had the access and space to really investigate. I've been drawing to hold me together in tough times. [00:11:00] What people have known me the most for, has been music. 

Okay as a musician, you're part of an industry. Mm-hmm. That Com modifies creativity and activism tell me how you negotiate the tension between making a living, staying true to your values, and the pressures of the market or the industry. 

It's an interesting balance. If you can get paid to be yourself, that's what you're after. I think what makes me sticky or, uh, I'm interesting to people because I'm an artist. I'm Oakland through and through we built the concept of out the trunk of your car. The whole independent hustle is who we are. There's a really great interview with will. i. am and he talks about how music has always sold a thing, a product, right? And so music before was selling record players, sheet music, right? So when artists are aware of that, then you think about, well, what are the things that are appropriate that I can com-modify the benefit of being a [00:12:00] multidisciplinary artist, is you can leverage one for the other. 

As an activist, you have to find, a balance between the drive to get your message across, with the need to maintain financial stability and also gain recognition in the music industry.Talk about how that works for you. 

I have never had any desire to be an activist. Just is a label that people put on me, right? Like when artivist became a popular term, I was like, I kind of vibe that, but still I feel like if you're human and you care about humans, then we're just being human, I show up for the things I believe in when I can. Yeah. 

Yeah. Thank you I'd like to move on to your achievements and your recognition. And, showcase the range of your artistry. We'll listen to, a part of a track and then follow it [00:13:00] up with an accolade or testimonial I'm going to start. With hip hop and the title track to, Painting on Wax. 

Fresh strokes with my tissum. Mommin off the wall at the DJ Bizzum. Smell so crazy as the yay go bizzum. Dizzum, ha ha, go get em. Girl, she so fresh from the O, it's amazing. See a lady grip the mic, I'm a star that go crazy. I can move the crowd and make it hot like haters. Bring the fire and desire, co carriage.Ooh, baby, I'm here to turn you out. 

And here's the accolade.
 Jennifer Jones is a new breed of artist who is boldly following in the steps of past greats like Sonia Sanchez, Harry Belafonte, and Nina Simone in the sense that she is damn good at her craft and sets a standard that's hard for many to beat. But, at the same time, has an [00:14:00] uncompromising dogged commitment to using her talent to uplift the people around her. Davie D. 

I had to get schooled on Davey D. I learned he is an authority within the hip hop community. So when Davey D praises an artist, it's coming from someone with deep knowledge of the genre's roots, growth and impact. Can you express how it feels to hear these words ? 

Humbling, you know, Davey is, a legend, if you know, anybody for the last few generations in hip hop, they all have been interviewed by him, everyone from the biggest to the smallest, I'm really humbled and grateful. I grew up listening to KMEL. He was doing the morning show when I was a kid. And so to be somebody who, has their music played by him, who is cared for by him, is very special.

Another honor. You were recently inducted into [00:15:00] the Bay Area Hip Hop archives speak about what this recognition means to you?

 Hip hop is a The best of American culture, right? Jazz musicians might've felt the same way. I've traveled the world with hip hop. You caught me on an emotional dime. There's this great story. I was on tour with Blackalicious, God rest, Gift of Gab. We were in Switzerland and this kid was trying to get to us. trying to talk to us I could tell there was something on his heart he wanted to share. We all kind of noticed him - beautiful energy. So we're getting in the tour bus. This kid scales the fence starts speaking in Italian. He's speaking in German. He's like, okay, maybe this language, maybe this language, right? We're all like, we don't speak this. Eight Black Americans standing there then he starts break dancing and we all cry because that's the language, the culture. It's about humans. Yeah. 

The next listening selection [00:16:00] is your rendition with Kev Choice of Bridge over Troubled Water.
When you're weary, feeling small. When tears are in your eyes, I will drive them home. I'm yours. Uh, when times get rough, and friends just can't be found, like a bridge over trouble. I will lay me down, trouble, [00:17:00] you're down

Here's the testimonial
Jennifer Johns's voice calms me, eases me when I am in pain and inspires me when I need strength. Set Shakur. 

Jen, please start with who Set Shakur is, then talk about what it means to you to hear this from her.

Set is my homegirl. An organizer activist and powerhouse. is also often known by her immediate family, the Shakur family. So she's Tupac's sister. She is a Faini's daughter and she's Matulu Shakur's child . And, she is a powerful force. . That's a special family and Set's a special person. Yeah. 

Thank you for sharing that. Set's testimonial speaks to the [00:18:00] powerful emotional impact your voice has and your ability to communicate with an audience. this gift, has earned you the title High Priestess of Oakland. Can you share a story about a moment when your music had a direct impact on a cause or audience? 

No. I can't. I think when you sing, it's vibrations, I can't say one time where I know this thing did this thing for these people. My music is is often used in organizing spaces, at rallies, using the music to keep going speaking to hearts and giving people energy I was engaged with the environmental justice is civil rights. Van Jones green economy movement, in the early 2000s. A lot of my music was used in that space, green economy 

You engage your audience on an intense powerful level. [00:19:00] Very deliberately make your art, an act of shared communication, and that must must weigh at times. So, can you talk about how you handle that?

I come to Montalvo. Legit. No, I think the way I handle it is having a diversity of practices. I have a strong spiritual practice and a very strong spiritual community. When they say my help comes from the Lord, it's the truth. I believe there's an indwelling presence in all of us. And to the degree that we allow ourselves to be tapped into it, even when we're exhausted, there's a replenishing that can happen it's all and only that, ever. 

Jen Johns, it has been such a pleasure thank you before I say goodbye, What's next ? Is there an upcoming performance that we can share with our listeners? 
Yes. February 27th at the Carriage House. At Montalvo I am doing a production called I Am Art, A [00:20:00] Ritual in Love. It is my fourth transmutation ritual in nine years. The year nine is for completion. This one is about self love. The second one, I wrote a choreo poem that a friend produced and choreographed, but I did all the music and words, shout out to Kendra Kimbroughs the third one, I called in love and found myself in a very serious relationship. And this one is really about me allowing myself to be beautiful, godly, a manifestation of the divine in public space..
 I caught you on an emotional day but could I ask you to close us out with Lift Every Voice?
Oh, sure. 

Lift every voice and sing. Until earth and heavenring, ring with the harmony, the harmony, [00:21:00] harmonies of liberty. Let our rejoicing rise, arise, arise. I hear the listening sky.Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Let us march on until victory is won.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.