Saidah Baba Talibah is a truly gifted performer, who possesses a refreshingly energetic personality and a presence that exudes a shimmering warmth. Her voice, powerful and inspiring, holds a deep-seated sensuality and a soulful mastery rivalled by such music legends as Minnie Riperton and Etta James. Her versatility tickles your senses and speaks to your heart. She is a respected performer, who can command an audience and hold her own on stage.
Saidah Baba Talibah, singer, dancer, actress, writer, mother and artist has cultivated her penchant for performing before birth, as she made her debut onstage in the womb of her eight month pregnant mother, renowned jazz/blues singer, Salome Bey, (Tony and Grammy nominated - Your Arms Are Too Short To Box With God and Dora award winning – Indigo), during her performance in Vinnette Caroll’s Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope. Then at six years old, showing no signs of intimidation, Saidah fearlessly took the stage alongside her mother, giving her a taste of the spotlight. “So all I can remember is, Mom, putting me on stage as soon as I could talk and carry a tune,†the singer recalls.
From that moment, Saidah proved that much like her mother, sister, uncle (Andy Bey – Grammy nominated American Song; Experience & Judgment; Ballads, Blues & Bey), aunt Geraldine de Haas, and cousins; Aisha de Haas, Darius de Haas, and Ronnell Bey, she was a born performer.
Saidah then went on to receive formal training while providing her with the opportunity to explore her passion for dance, music, art and drama simultaneously, as she majored in dance and minored in both visual arts and music, while attending Claude Watson School for the Arts in Toronto.
At the age of 19, she had her first experience in professional musical theatre as part of the Toronto touring cast of Showboat, leading her into a new world, that presented her with the opportunity to integrate the various art forms that she spent years developing. She continued on to lend her talents to such workshops as: Ragtime, Not Wanted on the Voyage and Love & War. Saidah was also seen in Djanet Sears ‘The Adventures of a Black Girl In Search Of God’ and featured on the original cast CD recording.
While planting her roots in the world of musical theatre, she was tending to her love of the live music scene as a lead vocalist in the rock/soul/fusion band Blaxäm, releasing their EP Kiss My Afro in 1998. “Blaxäm is like nothing you heard before, and everything you grew up with". In the great tradition of musical innovators like Funkadelic, Sly Stone, and the Sugarhill Gang, they have combined the best gospel, funk, rock, soul, R&B, reggae, influences to develop a style they call "Blue Groove". And groove it does. If you haven't seen them perform live, you're missing out on something very special.†(www.serendipity.itgo.com) For six years, Blaxäm created a loyal Toronto following while also touring the rest of Canada & the US.
Saidah’s voice has also graced the Canadian Idol band, backing Roger Hodgson (SUPERTRAMP), Dennis DeYoung (STYX), Chantal Kreviazuk, and most recently, Enrique Iglesias. As well, she has contributed her talents as a background vocalist for artists such as hip-hop artists Maestro Fresh-Wes, k-os ,Saukrates and Redman, singer/songwriter Marc Jordan, By Divine Right, Alannah Myles, Res and R&B singer-songwriters Divine Brown, Wade O. Brown and Jully Black. She was also featured as a vocalist at the Quincy Jones Gala as a part of Harbourfront’s World Leaders Series.
Though she is no longer hosting SKIFFLE IN MY EAR, a series of evenings that showcased women and their original songs accompanied by keyboards, Saidah is currently keeping herself busy by raising her daughter and sharing her soulful and melancholic vocals as part of the music collective called Good Sound Good, which holds a monthly showcase at the Cameron House in Toronto. “ GSG is an independent music collective of diverse artists working together to propel their careers to a higher level of international exposure and recognition in the music industry." (www.myspace.com/goodsoundsgood) Saidah is also writing & recording for her anticipated debut solo album and teaching singing & songwriting to youth.
Saidah’s remarkable passion and captivating voice will leave anyone who gets the pleasure of witnessing her perform, jonesing for more.
“Then Saidah Baba Talibah – daughter of singer Salome Bey – sang. My mouth hung open as she let sounds as textured and curling as cigarette smoke from her mouth, but much more healthy, soulful, and life-affirming.†(Hamish MacDonald.com)
