AMAZIAH is a singer/songwriter whose music is deeply moving and her voice a pleasure to hear. Vocally trained from a young age, her music is both Soulful and Spiritual but it..s her love of harmony that has been the driving force behind her exploration of sound.
Amaziah began her path of exploration from her humble beginnings singing in the church choir as a child. It has led her all the way to her more recent tours with many international artists.
Her first band Blue Mirage were a Reggae Funk outfit and were touted by many A&R managers from several major labels as the band to watch. While on holiday in the U.S. she briefly visited New York..s infamous School of Performing Arts and her interest in music was re-kindled.
When she returned to the UK, more equipped and confident in her abilities, she worked with several London-based bands and as a solo performer Amaziah has appeared in numerous shows and became an in-demand voice- over artist.
Amaziah joined The Rockstones Reggae band and further developed her love of Roots music. As lead vocalist and writer on many of their self-produced songs, they went on to record their stunning debut album ..The Headcorner Stone.. for new lablel: IHVH Muzic. This album was an instant hit with many local stations playing Amaziah..s poignant songs and received particular acclaim in Italy, topping the Italian Reggae charts for 5 weeks.
She supported legendary artists such as African superstar Lucky Dube, as well as a variety of Jamaican greats such as Bunny Wailer, King Sounds, Prince Lincoln, The Mighty Diamonds, Chakademus and Pliers, and more contemporary artists such as: Don Ricado, Vincent Nap and many more. She honed her performance skills over several years and toured the world with many internationally renowned artists such as Max Romeo, Alton Ellis and The Ethiopians doing their backing vocals.
Amaziah took a break from Reggae to pursue her first love: Jazz. Performing with Jazz Pianist, Mark Risi, she has made several appearances at numerous Jazz clubs across London. The Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, The White House, Regents Park and No.1 The Strand , being just a few of the venues.
Amaziah..s backing band The 1ness are an essential part of her new work. Together they have been building on their expanding reputation for excellence and picking up new fans everytime they play.
Her love of classic song writing and her years in Reggae and Jazz gave Amaziah the confidence to create a new sound for a new generation. Her music is more than melding different genre..s together, but is more about creating classic song writing with a wider appeal. Amaziah..s amazing songs have been quickly turned into popular anthems turning audiences into fans where ever she plays.
Amaziah..s music is about love, unity and peace in all communities. Her voice transcends the mundane and has a gentle yet firm quality that brims with emotion, teamed with her positive outlook, her voice brings a great deal of warmth and vitality to all who have the pleasure to hear a true artist at work. Amaziah..s approach to music comes from an age old tradition of holistic and natural approaches, being timeless in their effect reminding us that ultimately: A Rose is still a Rose.
Email: [email protected]
Myspace.com/amaziah
The 1ness Band:
The 1ness Band are a remarkable collection of highly accomplished and highly skilled professional musicians in their own right. Even a fleeting glimpse of their many credentials and rich musical heritage and accumulated experience to date has a humbling influence upon oneself. They are completely in unison with Amaziah's vision of the power of music and what can be achieved through this sublime medium and its impact on human hopes, dreams and aspirations. It is a privilege for concert going audiences that such a remarkable group of people is able to come together to help share her songs and voice with the world.
Maya (Guitar)
Maya Sona Jobarteh is a member of one of the five principal Kora-playing (Griot) families from West Africa. She is the granddaughter of the Master Griot of his generation, Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, and cousin of the well-known, celebrated Kora player Toumani Diabate. She has studied the Kora since the age of three, and gave her first performance at London’s Jazz Café when she was four.
Maya attended the Royal College of Music where she studied cello, piano and harpsichord, and soon after went onto the Purcell School of Music to study composition. During this time she was involved in working on several orchestral projects including the ‘River of Sound’ with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, featuring Evelyn Glennie, and other collaborative works including performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Milton Keynes City Orchesrtra and the Viva Chamber Orchestra.
In 2002 Maya travelled to Vienna to perform with the renowned Jazz vocalist Cleveland Watkiss, also forming a part of his support act for Cassandra Wilson at the Barbican in London. She also featured on Damon Albarn’s Mali Music Project which was later performed for Jools Holland.
As a performing musician Maya has collaborated with musicians from around the world, and is a regular member of the African Classical Music Ensemble which has toured England, Ireland, Africa and parts of the Caribbean. She has contributed to the well-established composer/musician Tunde Jegede’s albums Malian Royal Court Music and Lamentations, for which she composed two pieces, one of which also featured on the album Trans Planet Vol. 5 which was released on Triloka records, Virgin in the states. Maya also works with the distinguished spoken word artist HKB FiNN as an instrumentalist, co-writer, singer and producer.
Having completed her degree at SOAS University, Maya now divides her time as a performer and teacher of the Kora, sharing its repertoire and history with a new generation of people interested in learning about this most exquisite instrument. Maya has recently completed her debut album entitled 'Afro Acoustic Soul', which expresses and explores the many facets of her unique musical heritage. She is currently working on the music for the forthcoming film ‘Motherland’ (to be screened in 2009), directed by the renowned, film-maker Owen Shahadah, who is creator of the multi award-winning ‘500 Years Later’.
Cosmic C (Guitar)
Cozmic C ( Christine) is also a member of Abakush and the band Sista (women in reggae). Her contribution and loyalty to positive up lifting reggae music is one to be admired. She originally joined Abakush as a bass player, but is in fact a multi-instrumentalist. She studied at Goldsmiths University of London and gained a certificate in Jazz and Popular Music Studies. Her first band was Aquizim, who were active in the London lovers rock scene and she contributed keyboards to their sessions with Neil “Mad Professor†Faser when he was still operating his first recording studio.
Cozmic has worked alongside well established artist in the music business as a session musician and is a partner in an expanding recording facility in South London where she has developed a good ear for production works and contributes to a variety of musical works. She has co written some of the songs with Amaziah in the 1ness project.
Mickey Zim (Drums)
Mickey Zim is a former member of predominate female band Abbakuch, with whom he performed for many years. Before that he played with a south London band called Aquizim. This was when lovers rock was thriving! (hence the Mickey Zim). He plays a number of instruments, including rhythm guitar, drums and bass. He is also a studio technician, engineer and record producer, and has worked alongside many of the artists in the reggae fraternity to date. At present he is working with Amaziah and the Oneness band and is also doing some internet DJ-ing with Burningrockers.com, where he has his own show every Sunday night. So tune in and listen in on Sunday nights, man! It will drive away the blues of having to go back to work on Mondays!
The Doc (Keyboards)
Music is a second language to Mark Anthony Livingstone, born and raised speaking it from his infancy. He has worked with a number of outstanding musicians over the years, where he perfected his own craft and approach to keyboards, musicians such as Aswad, Simply Red, Earth Wind and Fire, Riot Squad, Chosen Few, Dennis Boville, Jason Kypie, etc. !!!?! What more can one say. His pedigree and background speaks for itself! We are not worthy! By the way, Doc, can you please get me Mick Hucknall's autograph please, the sooner the better! Thank you.
Terry (Bass Guitar)
Terry Sonson, like everybody else in the band, is also an accomplished multi instrumentalist and studio producer in his own right. He plyas bass, drums and keyboards. He lists among his influences Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Dunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. Besides playing in the band Iyah Calling for many yearsrs, he has also been much in demand as as session musician, playing for artists such as Dennis Alcapone, Bongo Herman and Trevor Legg. He has been with The 1ness Band since 2006, and is currently producing tracks for other artists too besides working with Amaziah. Welcome aboard Terry! Good to have you here too!