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Welcome to Changes !!!

2007 was quite an eventful year for me. It marked my half a century milestone of being earthbound, saw me singing for and meeting HRH, the Queen of England, and in a summer full of raindrops in Great Britain, my home of choice for the past 17 years, I was acknowledged by jazz aficionados by being asked to present a BBC Jazz Award. Another highlight for me has been performing Jazz Classics infused with my own contemporary measures with the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars in London's West End. This summer of development, with all its mighty twists and turns, convoluting, cumbersome and compelling as they have been, has paved a path towards a fresh new journey. 

My singing days began as a toddler singing in my grandfather’s church choir, followed by being the lead singer and pianist for teenage gospel groups at local churches in Houston, Texas. I then studied to be a music teacher at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. As a divorced single mother, I took a working holiday as an additional vocalist on my step-father’s tour, The Bobby Byrd and the JB All Stars Show, throughout the UK and Europe in 1989. This prompted my collaboration with the Young Disciples of the famed dance floor hit, “Apparently Nothin’”, succeeded by me having a recording contract with Virgin Records that included an album co-produced with Paul Weller. Later, I became the singer for the Brand New Heavies, which led to my independent recording releases with Ben Castle and his talented cohorts, Mark Edwards and Colin Walker. In between, I’ve worked with numerous notable artists who have influenced and enhanced my creativity. In 2003, my Godfather, James Brown, gave me his gift of legacy by an impromptu performance with him at the Royal Albert Hall in London. So much for the quiet life I had envisioned for myself as a child. 

Such is the stuff of a spiritual voyage - passionate inspiration.