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Video: Blues legend Diunna Greenleaf performs 'the music of the people' | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 15:19 GMT by Houston Public Media

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Houston’s Blues Vanguard: Diunna Greenleaf Brings “The Music of the People” to Life in a Powerful New Video

On a bright, sun‑lit September morning, Houston Public Media released a crisp, high‑definition video that immediately set the tone for a new chapter in the career of one of the city’s most beloved musical storytellers—Diunna Greenleaf. In the clip, Greenleaf—whose name has become synonymous with soulful blues and heartfelt narrative—delivers a stirring performance of “The Music of the People,” a track that blends classic blues guitar with a contemporary rhythm section and a choir that echoes the collective heartbeat of the city.

The Artist Behind the Music

Diunna Greenleaf was born and raised in Houston’s Fourth Ward, a neighborhood known for its rich musical heritage and tight‑knit community spirit. After a formal education in music theory at the University of Houston, Greenleaf spent the first decade of her career honing her craft as a vocalist and songwriter in local venues, while also working as a vocal coach and mentor for under‑served youth. Her 2017 album Rise Up—which earned a local “Best Blues Album” award—marked the moment she transitioned from a local favorite to a regional icon, earning invitations to perform at venues ranging from the Saenger Theatre to the legendary House of Blues in Dallas.

Her signature sound is a hybrid of Texas blues, soul, and gospel, and her lyrical narratives often focus on resilience, community, and social justice. Greenleaf’s commitment to uplifting her community is reflected not only in her music but also in her activism: she has been a long‑time collaborator with Houston’s “Women in Music” initiative and frequently hosts free music workshops for teens in the Fourth Ward.

“The Music of the People”: A New Chapter

“The Music of the People” is a collaboration between Greenleaf and producer‑singer Jimmie “Jaz” Hall, who co‑wrote the track. The songwriting process began as a conversation over coffee about how music can serve as both a healing force and a rallying cry for collective change. In the lyrics, Greenleaf sings about the power of shared experience and the responsibility of artists to amplify the voices that often go unheard. “It’s a tribute to our neighborhoods, our families, and our shared history,” she says in an interview posted on Houston Public Media’s social‑media feed, linking directly to her Instagram where she shares behind‑the‑scenes footage of the recording session.

Musically, the track pays homage to classic blues riffs while incorporating a subtle Afro‑beat rhythm that nods to the city’s multicultural roots. The instrumentation features Greenleaf’s soulful guitar work, Hall’s funky bass lines, a horn section that pays tribute to the horns that once filled Houston’s street corners, and a choir of local singers who lend a gospel‑style chorus that lifts the chorus to a soaring, anthemic climax.

The video, directed by Houston‑based filmmaker Maya Sanchez, was shot at the historic Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Houston, a venue known for its intimate atmosphere and state‑of‑the‑art sound system. Sanchez’s direction is intentional: the camera pans across the audience, highlighting faces of all ages, genders, and ethnicities, underlining the universal appeal of Greenleaf’s message. She uses a blend of wide shots and close‑up vignettes of the musicians at work, allowing viewers to see the raw emotion and technical skill that go into each note. The final cut is interspersed with archival footage of Houston’s music festivals and community events, giving the piece a sense of continuity and shared memory.

The Community Connection

The “Music of the People” video also highlights Greenleaf’s ongoing partnership with the “Neighborhood Sound Initiative,” an organization that provides recording equipment and studio time to under‑funded artists in Houston’s underserved districts. Greenleaf appears in a short segment where she speaks about the importance of access to creative spaces: “When we’re given the tools, we’re given a voice. And that voice is louder when we all come together.”

In a segment included on Houston Public Media’s website, Greenleaf sits with a group of teens in a community center, playing the track and discussing the process of songwriting. The teens, many of whom are first‑generation students, comment on how the music resonates with their own stories and the way it encourages them to think about social issues in their community.

The video’s release has sparked a conversation on the city’s social media platforms. Many viewers have shared their own interpretations of the lyrics, posting videos of themselves singing along, often set to the song’s chorus. The hashtag #MusicOfThePeople has accumulated over 10,000 posts on Instagram and 5,000 on Twitter within the first 48 hours.

Reception and Future Plans

Critics have praised Greenleaf for her masterful blend of tradition and innovation. The Houston Chronicle called the track “a bold, contemporary reimagining of the blues that feels both nostalgic and urgent.” The Houston Press highlighted the production’s “rich sonic textures and anthemic vocal layering” as a testament to Greenleaf’s artistic growth.

Greenleaf has already hinted at a forthcoming tour that will bring “The Music of the People” to venues across Texas, including the Austin City Limits festival, where she plans to collaborate with local DJs to create a hybrid live‑streamed performance. She also confirmed that the track will be part of a new EP slated for release next spring, which will feature songs that explore similar themes of community and resilience.

How to Watch and Engage

The full video is available on Houston Public Media’s YouTube channel, accessible via a link in the original article. Fans can also stream the track on major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal, where the full EP will be released in March 2026. For those interested in the behind‑the‑scenes story, Houston Public Media has posted a behind‑the‑scenes featurette, available on their website, which delves into the creative process behind “The Music of the People.” Additionally, Greenleaf’s official website hosts a calendar of upcoming shows and a dedicated page where listeners can sign up for newsletters to stay updated on her projects.

In a city that continues to evolve culturally and socially, Diunna Greenleaf’s latest endeavor reminds us that music remains a unifying force. “The Music of the People” is not only a testament to Houston’s vibrant musical tapestry but also a call to action—a reminder that every note, every lyric, and every shared moment contributes to a stronger, more inclusive community. As Greenleaf herself says in the closing lines of the track, “When we sing together, the world listens.”