About Me
Marvel Allen was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she gave her first performances at the age of seven "on Big Mama's porch, singing to the flowers and bumblebees". Shortly therafter, she began sharing her vocal gift with a more animated group—the local parishioners. Much like one of her musical influences, Aretha Franklin, Marvel's early vocal performances took place in a church. One of the individuals responsible for her leading songs in the choir was Wesley Naylor, a family friend and later to become the musical director for the longest running gospel show, "Mama I Want To Sing". Before she reached her teens, Marvel would get the congregation in the spirit when she performed such gospel greats as "Goin Up Yonder" and "Precious Lord".After graduation from Jackson State University where she majored in Communications ("You know, TV, radio and film...I was gonna get into the business one way or another"), Marvel began her professional singing career. She has done everything from recording commercial jingles and film (the controversial "Beulah Land") to performing as a background vocalist for studio recordings and live performances. Her resume as a background singer reflects her range and love of all kinds of music; the esteemed have included Regina Belle, Will Downing, Annie Lennox, and Delfeayo Marsalis to name a few.Marvel's lush and multitextured voice comes through in all of her studio recordings and, unlike many of today's "artists" whose performances are more product of some engineer's technological wizardry, she delivers an even greater live performance. Marvel's skilled and sensitive performance before an audience needs no assistance other that the backing of a tight band. Given her obvious talent and quiet beauty, one might expect Marvel to exhibit some glimmer of "diva" behavior. However, upon meeting this self-described "ham sandwich", you realize that she is a bona fide artist who performs because she needs to; it is her truest and most natural form of expression. Marvel, who "can't imagine living and not being able to sing", also writes about "what inspires me—love and all of the situations that can come out of relationships". Marvel performs because she wants people "to be able to relate to what I'm singing about and be able to speak to and touch others by what I'm interpreting". Marvel's vocal prowess is unlimited to the impending symphony of Marvel's varied musical repertoire.Marvel encourages "Don't be afraid to express yourself. Other people may tell you that you can't dance or even feel a certain way, but I want to say that you can only be you Be yourself". And after you hear Marvel sing, you will begin to know exactly who she is and be delighted that you're getting to know her.City: Brooklyn
Hometown: Hattisburg, Miss.
Country: United States
