Spreading her wings across multiple music genres attracting crowds from all areas, Branice McKenzie touched the hearts and souls of people of all ages Sunday.

McKenzie rocked Oakland’s Heart and Soul Center of Light congregation in freedom songs at their Sunday service in honor of Black History Month.

Having toured with legendary singer Harry Belafonte, best known as an activist in addition to being a performer, McKenzie led the congregation in songs of freedom.

The theme of her selected songs for the service reflected on love and how to use it on the spiritual and emotional journey for transformation.

Some of the compositions featured were by Crystal Monet Hall, India Irie and many more.

The Heart and Soul Center of Light Ensemble backed the multi genre singer. McKenzie crafted and wove a fare of newer smooth sounds while injecting various degrees of the familiar into almost every number including, “If I Had A Hammer,” written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in 1949 in support of the progressive movement.

The folky sweetness, pop sheen and open-ended jazzy excursions of love, freedom and peace songs embody transformation. The music spawns countless disciples and admirers.

Her ministering of the music found McKenzie and her musicians treating each piece as a separate dramatic entity deserving of its own richly impressionistic flavoring.

As one of the soul sisters of the Jazz genre, McKenzie swings heartily and dazzles vocal fans as she delights jazz bands at Oakland’s 57th Street Gallery.

McKenzie fans are always in full force.

“Her resonating vocals penetrate my soul,” says community radio activist Kai Aiyetoro.

“An inimitable voice. Distinctive style,” says classical singer Brenda Carpino-Usher.

Audiences seem to hang on every word McKenzie says and sings.

As a wonderful storyteller, every tune in her performances begins with a delightful talk.

McKenzie’s soulful, sultry four-octave voice sends audiences into a hypnotic trance.

As a woman who is clear that she is to write, sing, teach, and minister through song as well as live and love fully, McKenzie walks with compassion and wisdom.

“I am here to be an example of what happens when you don’t give up,” says McKenzie.

The songs she writes are equally daring in their personal revelations and their musical restlessness.

Her rich, finely tuned voice is always in superb form and she is applauded throughout congregations and audiences a like.

Earning a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Brown University and a Masters Degree in Music Education from New York University, McKenzie has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Having toured with and the late great Gregory Hines, McKenzie has also performed with Roberta Flack, Hugh Masekela, Carly Simon, BeBe Winans, Dianne Reeves, Peggy Lee and Miriam Makeba.

What is always evident in McKenzie’s style is a power that expresses her highly personal interpretations of varied materials and her piano underscoring subtly shades her unique compositions. You can hear McKenzie’s myriad of experience from performing with the greats shine through.

When singing the songs of the greats, she makes them her own.

As a singer songwriter, McKenzie encourages individuals to soar. Her CD, “I FLY,” is a collection of her original compositions, composed for a film entitled, “Gentelle’s Wings.”

“‘I FLY’ is a gorgeous song, just sitting in my office now listening to it,” said Donn K. Harris, Executive Director, Oakland School for the Arts.

As an educator, McKenzie develops curriculums, shows, writings and residencies. Her style of working with children’s songs encourages them to use everything within to create, participate and nurture all that is good.

“A fabulous composer of beautiful melodies for those of all ages,” says Carpino-Usher.

Currently a faculty member at Oakland School for the Arts and a past recipient of the Meet The Composer Grant, she composes music for youth theatre.