BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY
Maysa Leak
| BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY |
| Maysa Leak | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Maysa Leak |
| Also known as | Maysa |
| Born | August 17, 1966 |
| Origin | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Genres | Jazz, R&B, Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, song writer, record producer |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Labels | Blue Note, Dome, Warlock, N-Coded, Expansion Records,Shanachie |
| Associated acts | Incognito |
| Website | Maysa.com |
Maysa Leak (born August 17, 1966) is an American jazz singer better known by her mononym Maysa. She is well known by fans of smooth jazz both for her solo work and for her work with the British band Incognito.[1]
Early life and career
Leak attended Milford Mill High School in western Baltimore County.[2] After high school, she studied music at Morgan State University in Baltimore City and graduated with a degree in classical performance. There she performed as a member of the world famous Morgan State University Choir under the direction of the late Nathan Carter. Leak met performer Stevie Wonder during a college performance.[citation needed]
After receiving her degree from Morgan State University, Maysa headed to Southern California to perform with Stevie Wonder’s female backup group Wonderlove.[1] While with Wonder, Maysa was a vocalist on the Jungle Fever soundtrack,[1] and performed on numerous television shows including The Arsenio Hall Show, Oprah and The Tonight Show.
It was during an over-the-telephone audition in the early 1990s that Maysa become a member of the British jazz/funk/R&B band Incognito and, in 1992, she relocated to Londonand recorded Tribes, Vibes & Scribes, featuring the hit single "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing".[1] Since then, Maysa has appeared on over seven Incognito recordings.
Maysa recorded her self-titled debut in 1995,[1] followed by her second album All My Life in 2000, then Out of the Blue (2002), Smooth Sailing (2004), Sweet Classic Soul (2006), and Feel the Fire (2007). In 2008, Metamorphosis peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz top 100 chart and No. 13 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[citation needed] In 2010, A Woman in Love, Maysa's 8th solo CD, debuted at No. 1 on the Contemporary Jazz Charts.[citation needed] Maysa's 9th solo album, Motions of Love, released in November 2011, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard`s Contemporary Jazz Chart and Number 7 on the R&B charts.[citation needed]
Maysa has also collaborated with well-known jazz performers like Gerald Veasley, Rick Braun, Will Downing, Jason Miles' Soul Summit, Rhythm Logic, Jonathan Butler andPieces of a Dream.[1]
In 2009, Maysa won the very first new Soul Train Award named for the brand's new owners, CENTRIC, The Cenric Award: Soul Approved/Underground.
Maysa was a spokesperson for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a disease that can be fatal to premature babies. She appears in RSV PSA commercials, with her son Jazz, sponsored for the March of Dimes.
Personal life
Maysa continues to live in Baltimore, Maryland. She has a son named Jazz.[citation needed]
Discography
Albums[edit]
- Maysa (1995)
- All My Life (2000)
- Out of the Blue (2002)
- Smooth Sailing (2004)
- Sweet Classic Soul (2006)
- Feel the Fire (2007)
- Metamorphosis (2008)
- A Woman in Love (2010)
- Motions of Love (2011)
- Blue Velvet Soul (2013)
- Back 2 Love (2015)
Live albums
- Live At The Birchmere (2011)
Holiday albums
- A Very Maysa Christmas (2014)
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