~Maysa~

Photo Courtesy of Maysa.com/BlueRoses Entertainment

Alana's Musical Diary would be remiss if we did not place Maysa in our hot seat.  She sits on our throne because of who she is, where's she's been, and where she's going.  Perhaps, you recognize the name Maysa as being the contemporary jazz artist who joined the British Jazz group 'Incognito' on lead vocals or could it be from her string of solo projects?  Maysa has such a distinct sound, you are unlikely to forget her once you've heard her.   Just remember that she is the creme de la creme of contemporary jazz.  Maysa stands in a class alone but she has been compared to the talented songstress, Randy Crawford from the legendary group The Crusaders.  

Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Maysa Leak is a graduate of Morgan State University of Baltimore City.  It was seeing Melba Moore take the stage in the 1970's Broadway play Purlie that Maysa decided she too wanted to be a singer.  Maysa's first professional  background vocals were performed for Stevie Wonder.  She was a member of Stevie's female group 'Wonderlove.'  Any number of opportunities ensued when  Maysa was offered an audition by phone to sing for the group Incognito and subsequently went on to record 7 or 8 projects with the talented jazz performers.  'Deep Water's' is one of my favorites as well as Can We Change the World.   And like the title of her single 'Honey Bee' Maysa has been quite the busy bee recording 8 or more solo projects of her own.  Maysa has also been featured on soundtracks such as Jungle Fever and she's also performed for Oprah Winfrey.  

There is no way to 'define' Maysa.  She's the proud mother of son, Jazz, a musical dynamo, spokesperson for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), stellar performer--whom you can always make a date to see if you're ever in Alexandria, Virginia (Google: Birchmere Theater.)  We never tire of the sweet sounds of Maysa and if you are a subscriber of satellite radio (Sirius or XM) you can always hear Maysa's sweet, rich sounds on the wonderful Watercolors station.

Maysa, now that you've graced us with your presence, Alana's Musical Diary would like to pay back by featuring you here.  Maysa has a wonderful website (www.maysa.com) which highlights her many achievements.  Her latest project: A Woman in Love was released this year just after the success of her Metamorphosis project which debut the number 1 spot on Billboard's No. 1 Contemporary Jazz top 100.  Maysa, whether you select to collaborate on a musical project with other artists or go it alone we want, welcome, and will always love you!  You're hot, girl!