Shakura S'Aida

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Shakura S’Aida calls Canada home. Her professional involvement in the Toronto music scene has been ongoing for the past 20 years, enriching the Jazz, Blues and R&B communities with her soulful voice, enthusiastic personality and commitment to music as an art form.

As a solo artist, S’Aida’s career has spanned genres and countries and has taken her to some of the most noted stages in the Jazz world. She has performed at the Apollo Theatre in New York and has been nominated twice by the Toronto Blues Society as the Maple Blues “Female Vocalist of the Year” (2004/2005). She has also performed with such greats as Jimmy Smith and Ruth Brown and has been a featured vocalist on such recordings as “Rhythm and Soul” by Bill King and the Saturday Night Fish Fry. S’Aida has also had the honour of being named “Best Female R&B Vocalist” in 2004 by Real Blues Magazine.

S’Aida’s latest endeavor is the release of her debut blues album “Blueprint”. This 11-track compilation takes listeners on a journey through the blues of the 1940’s, and 50’s and is infused with S’Aida’s signature voice and sultry interpretation of the music.

Shakura's debut solo blues album “Blueprint”, signals a new beginning with some very old music. Blessed with the human musical reservoir Eddy B, some inspiration from Bill King and a lot of time in some very dusty places , Shakura was able to narrow in on songs that she felt ‘gave her something to sing about’. Songs that were once sung by Big Maybelle, Memphis Minnie, Big Mama Thornton and other phenomenal women of the time each become Shakura’s personal anthems.

Bringing together the musical talent of Denis Keldie, Howard Ayee, Michelle Josef and guitarist/producer James Bryan gave Shakura’s blues a new canvas to paint on. Guest artist David Rotundo and Harrison Kennedy added a little grit and enough silkiness to spice and smooth wherever necessary, and divas turned back-up singers for the night, Shannon Maracle and Jackie Richardson sashayed where no one has ever gone before.