About Me
On Feb. 8th, 1973, Janaya Ellis was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. At the time, her father, a man who made no apologies for having recently immigrated from Trinidad, W.I. and her mother, a maritimer of Irish/Scottish ancestry, were the proud parents of the first of what would be three girls. Moving to northern rural Alberta, they began to experience life as a minority/mixed race family. The difficult and dual circumstance of attending schools as the only child of African heritage, and coming home to "Good West Indian Upbringing" was a challenge.
Janaya began piano lessons at 2, staying with the same teacher for 18 years. Later, she advanced to provincials for classical piano, toured Alberta playing 6 bass in TrinCan Steel Orchestra, and played drums and flute. Her father was a musician, so the house was always filled with good music, like classical, calypso, reggae and soul. Steel pan, playing mas, singing, and camping out were ways the three sisters spent time growing up.
In 1997, Janaya completed her BEd from the U of A, teaching History, Aboriginal studies, and music, and for a time also worked in various night clubs. But she found herself in Anguilla in 1999, and she found her way back home to her first true love.... Roots and Rastafari music.
Janaya "Sista J" Ellis is E town's triple threat. Singer/Songwriter, Manager/Promoter, and multi-instrumentalist, Sista J will aim to put Edmonton on the music industry map. Sista J is working with Politic Live, Oozeela, and Ibo (Smokey Room Productions) for both solo ventures as well as for her pet project, Edmonton's reggae sweethearts, Souljah Fyah.
Bless, Guidance, and Spread Love.
Everytime.
