Kenya
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Kenya

Chicago, Illinois, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | SELF

Chicago, Illinois, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2010
Solo R&B Jazz

Calendar

Music

Press


"Michael Jackson Cover Gives Physical Therapist Healing"

Feature describes soul artist Kenya's journey from being a physical therapist to performing music. - The Voice Newspaper


"Michael Jackson Cover Gives Physical Therapist Healing"

Feature describes soul artist Kenya's journey from being a physical therapist to performing music. - The Voice Newspaper


"First Watch: Soul Singer Kenya "Can't Help It""

Kenya is featured as a "First Watch" artist audiences need to get to know. - Soul Tracks


"First Watch: Soul Singer Kenya "Can't Help It""

Kenya is featured as a "First Watch" artist audiences need to get to know. - Soul Tracks


"subCENTRIC NEW VIDEO// Kenya – “I Can’t Help it (SugaBoom Remix)”"

Many artists might shy away from covering a classic Michael Jackson tune, but independent soul/jazz singer Kenya has stepped up to the plate with her jazzy cover of the late icon’s 1979 Quincy Jones-produced album track “I Can’t Help It.” Not to mention she’s also released an accompanying video.

The video complete with fun, sun, ocean breezes, and eye candy in the form of Malik Yoba; sets the perfect companion to the mix produced by Othello Glenn and Dave Stoller of SugaBoom Productions.

The single, “I Can’t Help it (SugaBoom Remix)” is now available on Bandcamp.com
- Justin Joseph


"The start of a great thing!"

"The start of a great thing from Kenya – a sweet EP of warm, bubbling soul – a great surprise from this overlooked talent on the Chicago scene!" - Rick Wojcik- Dusty Groove America


"The start of a great thing!"

"The start of a great thing from Kenya – a sweet EP of warm, bubbling soul – a great surprise from this overlooked talent on the Chicago scene!" - Rick Wojcik- Dusty Groove America


"Kenya has found her voice again"

On the title song of the EP, Kenya celebrates her renewal and encourages listeners to experience their own: Look at me, smiling with my heart/My eyes are beaming and they won’t stop…/Don’t you want to join me? Don’t you want to feel free?/Don’t you want to be the you you know you need to be?

It’s a sentiment that could easily veer to the saccharine, but Kenya’s delivery, equal parts earnest and joyful, gives it a honeyed sweetness.
- South Sub Music


"Kenya has found her voice again"

On the title song of the EP, Kenya celebrates her renewal and encourages listeners to experience their own: Look at me, smiling with my heart/My eyes are beaming and they won’t stop…/Don’t you want to join me? Don’t you want to feel free?/Don’t you want to be the you you know you need to be?

It’s a sentiment that could easily veer to the saccharine, but Kenya’s delivery, equal parts earnest and joyful, gives it a honeyed sweetness.
- South Sub Music


"Fantastic!"

Fantastic!.... I was blown away!..... You must hear this artist! - Michael Campbell- CEO, Brooklyn West Records


"Fantastic!"

Fantastic!.... I was blown away!..... You must hear this artist! - Michael Campbell- CEO, Brooklyn West Records


Discography

"I Can't Help It" SugaBoom Remix produced by Othello Glen and Dave Stoller with SugaBoom Productions; Release April 2013; single receiving radio airplay on iHeartRadio.com's Chicago V103 station and internet radio podcasts both nationally and internationally.

"Jazz Made Rhythm" EP produced by Kenya McGuire Johnson and Chuck Lacy; Released Oct 2012. Single "Lovely Day" streamed on internet radio podcasts both nationally and internationally.

"Starting Over" EP produced by Grammy Award Winning Producer Maurice Joshua; Released June 2010; singles from EP streaming on internet radio podcasts both nationally and internationally.

Photos

Bio

Kenya is a richly inspired vocalist/songwriter whose jazz-kissed soul style is wooing admirers simultaneously in the U.K. and U.S. Ironically, her lyrically captivating compositions almost never made it to the ears of the public. Kenya’s life roles as wife and mother of two sons plus working for over a decade as a physical therapist, clinician and educator nearly eclipsed her vision of herself as a viable artist bearing valuable musical gifts. Now - thanks to her reinvigorated relationship with God and counselors that cosmically expanded her viewpoint on life purpose - all of that has purposefully changed as Kenya prepares to share her first full-length CD, My Own Skin released by Expansion Records in March 2015 in Europe, South Africa and Japan. The LP has already topped the UK Soul Chart at #1 for 4 consecutive weeks (April/May 2015) as well as other London based soul radio stations/programs and world jazz charts. Time invested finding herself has resulted in songs that will be balms of insight and comfort for others.

The American lead single “Let Me” which is currently impacting the Adult R&B Billboard, represents her lighter, danceable side as she sings an open invitation to let her give you joy over a steady mid-tempo groove with lovely flute and synth ambience. “Be Here” which peaked at #28 on the Billboard is a romantic duet produced by and featuring the duo of twin brothers Kloud 9 (Kendall and Kelvis Duffie) that bursts into your ears with the unmistakable guitar vibe that Ernie Isley brought to his brothers’ gemstones.  The US album release of My Own Skin is slated for late summer/early fall.

Kenya McGuire Johnson is a native of Denver, Colorado who began singing at 8 playing flute in third grade and piano during adolescence. By middle school, she was fully active in the arts as a member of advanced and exclusive citywide choirs, jazz ensembles and theater troupes. She also studied voice with Ms. Bennie Williams (who also taught Dianne Reeves before her), skills from which prepared her once to open for the legendary jazz drummer Art Blakey. While attending historical Black college Howard University in Washington, D.C., Kenya was a member of its renowned gospel choir. She graduated from Howard with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy which she practiced. She later earned a Master of Arts degree in counseling and student development, becoming a counselor and educator.

Having placed music on the backburner, a profound void developed in Kenya’s life. She’d chosen fields she could excel in to make a living yet ultimately failed to feed her passion.  By taking a leap of faith, Kenya was able to strategize her life so she could live her purpose- music!

Kenya released two EPs prior to My Own Skin: the self-penned Starting Over in 2010 and a project of covering favorite R&B songs Jazz Made Rhythm in 2012 – via her own KenyaMJMusic Productions company and building fan bases both here and abroad. She has opened shows for Lalah Hathaway, Rachelle Ferrell, Raul Midon, and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition.  Kenya has performed at a variety of leading venues including Chicago’s House of Blues, Billie's Black in Harlem, The Biltmore in Los Angeles, top rated jazz club Dazzle in Denver, CO, Cullen's Live in Houston, TX, The Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo, NY, the Soul Mountain Music Festival, a sold out crowd at Washington, D.C.’s legendary Blues Alley, NYC’s The Village Underground, and the UK’s largest soul music event Southport Weekender.  Finally, Kenya will hit Essence Festival’s Center Stage at New Orlean’s Convention Center July 2015.


Band Members