Millicent Stephenson

Early years

Millicent started her piano lessons at the age of 8 years, but due to household finances, her lessons ceased. However her love for music did not stop. She continued to play at home.

At secondary school she learnt the clarinet and played in the school orchestra. She also successfully performed in the school Steel Band playing alto and tenor pans. The Steel band was the first of its kind in any secondary school in Birmingham. The steel band performed across England and also toured Germany. The band played in episode one of the 1978 BBC Two soap opera Empire Road. Cast members included Norman Beaton, Corinne Skinner-Carter, Michael Abbensetts, Wayne Laryea, Joseph Marcell and Rudolph Walker. The steel band also featured in saints Alive an ATV Production and were frequent visitors to BBC Pebble Mill meeting DJs Chris Tarrant, George Franklyn and Guys and Dolls.

The love of the saxophone began as a side show. At 18 years, the New Testament Church of God was having an open air march of witness in London. As design would have it, there was a Saxophone with no one to play it. Millicent volunteered her services as a wind player and the leader of the brass-line, Rev John Grey, accepted. Following the procession she could not let the instrument go, and she borrowed it and practiced. It was during a visit to her Aunt in Los Angeles in 1984, Millicent found out that her cousin, Angela Christie, was a successful saxophonist and was inspired to be the same.

Middle Years

At around the age of 22 years old, the testament to Millicent's achievement showed when she joined the legendary Andy Hamilton’s band the Blue Pearls. She featured in his Central TV Documentary ‘Silver shine’.

Millicent is also a competent choir director. She directed the Choir composed of singers from across Birmingham for the service commemorating Archbishop Desmond Tutu visit to Birmingham. Birmingham Cathedral. 21 April 1988, St Philips Cathedral, Birmingham. Millicent has also directed the Handsworth Mass Choir who won BBC Choir Award in November 1986.

Later years

Millicent went on to become a professional musician performing not only in private events but also Birmingham Lord Mayors Charity Concert, Birmingham Artsfest, Music Video Screen Awards, Jamaican Olympic team concert in Symphony Hall where she shared the stage with Jaki Graham, Beverly Knight and Benjamin Zephaniah and the Luncheon for The Governor General of Jamaica: His Excellency, the most honourable Sir Patrick Allen hosted by Jamaican National Bank and Birmingham City Council.

Debut EP ‘This is Life’, on her own label Sliver Gliss Music. ‘It’s All Good’ featured on ‘BBC Introducing‘ and ‘Ketch A Vibe’ Radio. ‘I Will Go On’ featured on BBC WM Nikki Tapper Show and ‘Bed and Breakfast’ Show of Spitfire Radio.

Millicent played brass lines for Jazz funk band Monday Session, which featuring Tracey Cohen who went on to be an XFactor finalist in 2010.

Millicent is also a music teacher.

Awards

First place, National Teen Talent NTCG 1984.

Music Award - WISE Women Awards 2011 for the impact her music has had in teaching, mentoring and performing

Articles

Internet TV Interview ‘Warriors of Life’: http://warriorhouse.org/video/warriors-of-life-episode-5/

MOBO News: http://www.mobo.com/news-blogs/millicent-stephenson-music-soul Featured Artist on BBC Radio WM ‘Chatback Show’. Presenters Joe Aldred and Nikki Tapper. 6 April 2014: https://soundcloud.com/millicentstephenson/bbc-radio-wm-chatback-interview-060414 Keep the Faith Magazine, Issue 82. Page 12. August 2013 http://issuu.com/keepthefaith/docs/keep_the_faith_magazine_issue_82/1

The Voice Newspaper http://www.voice-online.co.uk/search/node/millicent%20stephenson Blues and Soul Online Magazine, 2012 http://www.bluesandsoul.com/live_item/234/jamaicas_50th_independence_cultural_extravaganza_and_salute_to_the_athletes/ Jamaica Nationals Building Society, http://www.jnbs.com/jamaica-50-cultural-extravaganza Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) Dinner with Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange http://www.jhcuk.org/news/archive/grange-for-birmingham-athletics-dinner-july-9 BBC Radio WM Kidney Kids Appeal http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/image_galleries/an_evening_of_inspiration_gallery.shtml?7 Website: www.millicentstephenson.com