SINGER; POET; DANCER; NATURAL HAIRSTYLIST; PRODUCER; ENTRPRENUER
Odessa Thornhill, better known to her friends as "Queen" is as Montreal's Mirror so perfectly phrased it, "Montreal's Monarch!". A composer of songs reminent of her knowledge of choir and her passionate soul, Odessa questions history and sometimes tough reality in her poetry, while telling wonderful tales with ther dance.
Queen is a resident vocalist in Montreal's Kalmunity Vibes Collective, whose talents have led her to record with international recording artist K-maro(Million dollar boy) and share stages with Ethnic Heritage Ensemble(U.S), Lillian Allen(Canada), Dr.Afua Cooper(Canada), Obsesion(Cuba), Zale Seck(Senegal) and Cameroonian representative Muna Mingole, to name a few.
In November 2005, "Life Beyond the Sun", Odessa's first production, brought the young artist closer to one of her many dreams. This project documents the awakening spirit of a young black woman who experiences an unsettling restlesness due to a calling from the ancestors. Exploring the subjects of truth, choice and change by combining her art with the elements of rhythm and dance; original songs and stories realised on stage; giving movment to words and voice to emotion. She has since then revamped this successful project to enable her to take it outside the city's limits.
A recent invitation to participate in the 2nd annual Hip-Hop Symposium in Havana, Cuba (July 2006), provided an insight of Queen's potential internationally. While meeting artists of various fields from the world over, Odessa showcased some of her work as a song-poet, dancer and natural hair specialist. She is presently working in studio on her E.P.
With the same energy that she commits to performing, Odessa commits to her community. The foundation for all of the groups and tables that she works with is one that is grounded in a sense of self-development and self-improvement; a message which also rings true in her artistic workshops that she presents at youth and family organizations. Combining her knowledge of energy healing with the charisma of her soul, Queen works with programs for youth, young families and women, nurturing her community where needed.
A grassroot singer, poet, dancer and healer, is Odessa "Queen" Thornhill.
