When a sultry, powerful sounding voice, accompanied by a saxophone takes the stage you know you are in for a night of unexpected musical revelations and all-night enjoyment with Emily Brass.

Incorporating music styles that range throughout past decades such as old-school rap, rock-steady reggae, ragtime jazz, and 60s rock & soul, the Floyd resident uses ever-changing raps and lyrics to send powerful, poetic, and even progressive messages your way.

Brass’s arrestingly soulful voice and innovative sax riffs captivate the audience under smooth reggae overtones with infectiously funky hip-hop beats, punctuated with iconic jazz and strong rock sounds unique to her music.

Last fall, Brass released her debut solo record with Forward Moving Records, cleverly titled Open Door. Representing a major turning point in her life, Open Door reflects the new path Brass has chosen after being the former front woman for Foundation Stone.

Before the band called it quits in 2005, the diversely talented songstress released two albums, playing festivals and dance halls from New England to Florida, selling thousands of CDs to their far-flung fans. (You can read the New River Voice review of Open Door here!)

Gaining influence from the sounds of Zap Mama, Arrested Development, Chrissie Hynde, Erykah Badu, Bob Marley, Billie Holiday, and even John Lennon, Brass blends her vocals, sassy sax work, and percussion pieces to portray her lifestyle as an environmental activist, calling upon the audience to think about how they live and urging global and personal awareness.

Entrancing you with sounds from her childhood spent in Montreal as the daughter of a jazz musician, the night swiftly slips away spent swaying and moving to an updated beat often unheard.

Other musicians who play with Brass include George Penn (drums), Mike Kirby (guitar), Lindsey Wright (vocals, flute), John Lindsey (bass), and Richie Ursomarso (guitar).

You can catch Emily Brass live at Awful Arthur’s (Roanoke, Va., Sept. 26), BT’s (Radford, Va, Oct. 2), Awful Arthur’s (Salem, Va., Oct. 18), and Awful Arthur’s (Blacksburg, Va, Nov. 21).

Listen to New River Voice Editor Tim Jackson’s interview with Emily Brass Tuesday night (Sept. 16) at 6:30 p.m. on WVRU FM, 89.9 in Radford. Emily Brass is the next act featured in WVRU’s new weekly radio show called “The Listening Room,” brought to you by WVRU and the New River Voice.

Christine Pizzo is a music fan and intern for the New River Voice.