Where do I begin to tell the story of how challenging my life has been as a black female Cultural artiste from out of Jamaica.... I am a MUSIC JUNKY!!! I was born with music in my blood. I live sleep and breathe music. My father was a musician(guitarist and my mother has a mezzo-soprano voice. She would sing Jazz and classical music all day and I mimiced her. When I was three years old I sang "If I had wounded any soul today, dear lord forgive" I received several enchores and from that day unward my mother encouraged me to participate in dance,drama, speech and Music. By the time I was in the ninth grade I was winning medals for my school(Anchovy Secondary) in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (J.C.D.C) and performing for graduations. In 1983 tragedy struck. My son Robert suffered massive brain damage during birth...his muscle control and learning ability was permamently damage and so it was goodbye to my nine to five job as I had to attend training to care for him. It was that same year that a friend invited me to listen to the Roy Jackson Jazz Band, I sang that night and that was the beginning of my professional career as a vocalist. I loved Jazz but I was also drawn to different genre of music. I worked several years as a band singer and subsequently evolved into a Cabaret performer working on the North Coast and Negril, but I wanted something more. In 1999 I decided to spread my wings far beyond the confines of Cabaret and participated in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (J.C.D.C) National festival competition.I emerged the winner and was awarded two trophies and a cash incentive for best singer and song writer. I am the second female singer and composer to have won this competition since its inception in 1966. well it was evident that I had talent and I approached a few producers and I was told that I was too old while others said I did not have the right look. I am not a quitter! I was not ready to lay down and die. I bought a keyboard, taught myself to play and seven years later, with some assistance from friends, I wrote and co-produced my debut Album BORDERS. Borders is "roots and Culture". A combination of Afro Caribbean rythms and Reggae. It is presently available on cd baby.com. My single "Over fifty" is gaining popularity all over the world. It climbed the charts to Number 2 in the Florida Reggae chart(USA) and number 5 in the New York Reggae Chart. I spent more than half of my life cultivating and developing my craft as an artiste. I have paid my dues and I am ready for the world stage. Who knows I might be performing in you town in the near future. Its a long road from band singer/Cabaret performer. My life has been very challenging but I learn to overcome adversaries and advance inspite of my pain. A positive attitude is the greatest asset that I have. I also have the the blessings of the Creator, the love and support of a great Guy, my other Son Joel who is musically inclined, my dear old mom Winnifred and numerous fans. I am strong courageous and focus and I set no boundaries on my hope for tomorrow(ME NAA GIVE UP) I AM WOMAN.I edited my profile at Freeweblayouts.net , check out these Myspace Layouts!
