Nurturing Soul

Fertile Ground Promotes Its Own Sound While Encouraging Younger Acts

Life might have turned out differently for Fertile Ground's James Collins, if he hadn't crossed paths with singer Navasha Daya in 1998. "I was on my way to medical school," he remembers. "And when I heard her sing -- specifically, when I heard her interpret some songs that I wrote -- from that point on, I was trying to raise some money so we could make records."

Collins put together a seven-piece band that plays a fusion of R&B and jazz that he simply classifies as "black music."

"If you were to discuss rhythm and blues or jazz or funk in the '60s, it would be very candidly referred to as 'black music,' " Collins said. "So I'm very quick to refer to this as black music, because it is out of those traditions that we get our inspiration."

Despite that label's obvious allusion to race, Collins does not intend for it to be divisive. "When we play clubs outside the United States," he continues, "they promote us as 'the black music group.' Folks categorize it as a proud statement, and they know from that label that they're going to see a funky show. I've always used the analogy that it takes flowers to make gardens, so if we are black music and we shine as such, then we can hold our own in the global music scene."

The group is working on its fifth album, a follow-up to 2004's "Black Is . . . "

Collins is the group's primary songwriter. "I'm also the keyboard player," he says. "And I certainly think that's something that I do well, but the writing is where I really feel like I express myself the best."

But Collins is not the only one to focus on his strengths. "When you look at the band, everybody has a different strength," he says. "Navasha is an amazing performer. She's also an excellent writer and has other talents, but the thing you feel first and foremost from her on stage is her performance. She really embodies the spirit of whatever song she's singing. And Craig Alston, our saxophone player, does amazing horn arrangements and is a great soloist."

Those strengths inspire Collins's songwriting. "When I arrange for Fertile Ground, I'm arranging for this particular group of musicians, and I try to write songs that play to their strengths and give them a place to express themselves," he says.

When Fertile Ground is not developing its own music, the group works to spark musical creativity in its home of Baltimore. Taking a tip from the musical community fostered in Philadelphia by the band the Roots, Collins started a weekly open-mike jam session eight years ago. Called Organic Soul Tuesdays, the event at Eden's Lounge provides a venue for new and veteran artists alike to grow as performers.

"We have a three- or four-piece house band that is on a fully produced stage, and we call up artists to perform. The artist actually communicates the song right there on the spot to the band," Collins says. "We try to nullify their excuses -- 'I don't know how to get a band to learn my music' or 'I don't have a place to sing' -- and give them a forum to work out their new material and their showmanship."

The house band at Organic Soul Tuesdays includes two members of Fertile Ground. In addition to the open-mike component, the night always features a 20-minute set from a more established performer. "It's really inspiring and helpful for the older artists to hear what the newer stuff is coming out," continues Collins, "and for the newer artist to see what it could look like if they stick with it."

Going by Collins's adage that it takes flowers to make gardens, he and the rest of Fertile Ground are cultivating the seeds for tomorrow's gardens, right at home in Baltimore.