Jana (Native American singer)

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Jana

Background information
Birth name Jana Mashonee Sampson
Born 1980
Origin Robeson County, North Carolina, United States
Genre(s) Pop, R&B, Electronic
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, actress
Years active 1997–present
Label(s) Standing Stone Records
Sound of America Records
Curb Records1997-2002
Radikal Records
2002-2006
Website JanaNation

Jana Mashonee (1980, better known by her stage name, Jana) is a Lumbee and Tuscarora singer, songwriter and actress from Robeson County, North Carolina, currently residing near New York City. She is currently releasing her music through a joint venture with Standing Stone Records and Sound of America Records. Jana was discovered by Grammy nominated producer/songwriter, Rodney Shelton, when Jana was singing funk in her "weekend band" Peace 'N' Love near Charlotte, NC. Shelton recorded a demo of "What I Am To You" and presented it to Curb Records' Mike Curb who immediately signed Jana to his label.

Jana describes herself as an "Urban Indian":

   
Jana (Native American singer)
 Being an Urban Indian, is to walk in both worlds but not compromise my cultural identity. I cannot ignore who I am and where I came from. I am proud that I can maintain my traditional customs while living in today’s world.
   
Jana (Native American singer)

Jana is also active motivational speaker for Native American youth, supporting such organizations as U.N.I.T.Y. (United Native Indian Tribal Youth), and her own motivational program "Jana's Kids". Jana also designs jewelry in her lines Urban Indian and Indian Spirit, with the profits going directly to her motivational program, "Jana's Kids".

Jana graduated with a Bachelor's degree in psychology from prestigious Davidson College in North Carolina.

Contents

[edit] Albums

Flash Of A Firefly
Enlarge
Flash Of A Firefly
  • Flash Of A Firefly - 2005, Radikal Records
  • American Indian Christmas - 2005, Standing Stone/SOAR Records
  • American Indian Story - 2006, Standing Stone/SOAR Records

[edit] Singles

  • "What I Am To You" (1997) - Top Forty on the Radio & Records’ rhythmic chart (Curb records)
  • "Near Me" (1998) - A cover of a song originally by the artist Sheryl Crow. (Curb Records)
  • "Ooh, Baby, Baby" (1999) - A success on radio and in the Radio & Records, DMA, Hitmakers, and Gavin charts. Billboard magazine named "Ooh, Baby, Baby" pop Single of the Week in October. (Curb Records)
  • "More Than Life" (2001) - Reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Artists to Watch chart and peaked in Billboard Magazine’s Hot Shot Debut At #29. Remixes where made by DJ Skribble and Anthony Acid. (Curb Records)
  • "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" (2001) - A cover of a song originally by the artist Meat Loaf. (Curb Records).
  • "Stairway to Heaven" (2002) - Peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Singles Sales chart, and was remixed by DJ Skribble. (Radikal Records)
  • "Found A Love" (2003) - (Radikal Records)
  • "I'll Be With You" (2006) - (Standing Stone/Radikal Records)

[edit] Awards

  • Nammy (Native American Music Award)
    • 2001-2002
      • Best Pop Artist
      • Best Pop/Rock Recording (More Than Life)
    • 2002-2003
      • Song of the Year (Stairway to Heaven)
    • 2005-2006
      • Record of the Year - Flash of a Firefly
      • Best Producer (Stephan Galfas and Alex Salzman) for Jana's American Indian Christmas
  • Nammy Nominations
    • 2003-2004
      • Best Female Artist
      • Best Pop/Rock Recording (Found a Love)
  • Grammy Nominations
    • Nominated 2001 - Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. Co-writing on the song "Kiss and Tell" with Crystal Lewis, which appears on Lewis' album Fearless.

[edit] Acting career

  • Jana appeared in the 2002 romantic comedy Dream Weaver, alongside prominent Native American actor Wes Studi.
  • Jana will star as Abbi in the upcoming film Raptor Ranch.

[edit] Miscellaneous

  • Jana performed for the First Lady during the First Lady's Luncheon (April 27th, 2006). One of the songs she sang was her own "One Spirit".The theme of the function was "The First Americans".
  • Jana performed before a huge audience (+70,000) at the 2001 National Scout jamboree.
  • Jana performed at the 2001 Inaugural Ball.

[edit] External links

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