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BIOGRAPHY
Queen Makedah of Zion stirs up strictly conscious and inspirational lyrics in a unique and blessed brew of sound that melds sweet velvety-soul vocal harmonies over spicy Roots Reggae Rhythms, satisfying music lovers in a variety of formats, including Neo-Soul, Reggae, Worldbeat and Gospel.
Queen Makedah’s passion for Roots Reggae music was born as a youth growing up in some of the most controversial events of our time, The Vietnam War, Civil Rights and Black Power Movements of the 70's, inspired by the music of The Legendary Bob Marley, The I-Three's, Judy Mowatt, Marsha Griffiths, Rita Marley, Bunny Wailer and The Wailers, Steel Pulse and Third World, to name a few. Her talent as a Singer grew out of the strong jazz culture of the historical 18th and Vine Street Jazz District of Kansas City, Missouri where she was born and raised; hometown to the legendary trumpet player Charlie ‘Yard Bird’ Parker, and in it’s hay day a musical hot spot where greats like Count Basie, the George Lee Orchestra, Bennie Moten and many others got their start. At an early age, she was introduced to powerhouse jazz vocalists and storytellers like Billy Holiday and Sarah Vaughn, and soul-stirring vocalists like Aretha Franklin and Tremaine Hawkins, whose music helped shape her unique velvety-soul vocal style.
Queen Makedah’s talent as a Songwriter took off during her spiritual sojourn in Jerusalem, which lent her a cultural perspective she pours into the heartfelt lyrics of her music, inspired by the Hebrew Bible and the Psalms of David. It was in Israel that she met her musical co-writer, Brooklyn’s own Roots Reggae Writer/Producer ‘Chariot,’ whose influences include The Gladiators, The Abyssinians, Steel Pulse & Aswad. Together they collaborated with famed Israeli Roots Reggae group Roots Africa and have 3 albums, the first of which (‘The Awakening’) was co-produced by one of Reggae Music's greats, Ras Michael of the Sons of Negus from the Bob Marley era, recently featured by the Smithsonian Museum. Their second album, ‘Spiritual Healing’ introduces hot new tracks, like ‘Kadosh’ (The Holy One of Israel), ‘Freedom,’ and ‘Healer,’ to be released in the Bay Area this summer. Also due to be released this summer is a new single, Babylon Food, from the upcoming album, Humble Heart.
Her musical influences include Luciano, The Legendary Bob Marley & The I-Three’s, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Steel Pulse, Desiree, The Abyssinians, Bunny Wailer, Sly & Robbie, Ras Michael & The Sons of Negus, The Gladiators, Ziggy Marley, Aswad, Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Culture, Billy Holiday, Chaka Khan, Mable Staples, Sade, Sarah Vaughn, Minnie Ripperton, Wanda Hutchinson, Tremaine Hawkins, Oleta Adams, Aretha Franklin, Lauren Hill, India Arie, Miriam Makeba, Salif Keita and Stevie Wonder.
Queen Makedah and Chariot have been blessed to release two albums and one single on their family label, Oriyah Music. Her freshman album, ‘The Awakening,’ was co-produced by one of Reggae Music's great legends, Ras Michael of the Sons of Negus (called the 'Nyabingi Specialist' by Bob Marley) and received national and international airplay, excellent reviews and support from reggae music fans and dj’s across the globe (see www.queenmakedah.com).
She has performed before audiences at The Lima, Lima in Tel Aviv; The Barby in Tel Aviv; Club 24 in Tel Aviv; The Spring Reggae Festival at Tseelim Kibbutz, Israel; The Street Arts Festival in Tel Aviv; Barzailai in Tel Aviv; The Israel Cultural Center in Arad, Israel; The Jazzhaus in Lawrence, Kansas; Zazoo’s at Jack London Square; Owerri University in Emo State, Nigeria; and for Blacks in Government (B.I.G.); the N.A.A.C.P.; the Urban League; and Georgetown University to name a few.
This summer Queen Makedah will touring with her band in the United States and collaborating with famed drummer, Wadi Gad and his group Jahbandis. For bookings or more information, contact www.queenmakedah.com or
[email protected].
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