Rhian Ayanna
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Rhian Ayanna

New York City, New York, United States | INDIE | AFTRA

New York City, New York, United States | INDIE | AFTRA
Band Jazz R&B

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"Enjoy Spotlight: Rhian Ayanna"

THERE”S AN OLD SAYING THAT THOSE WHO LOOK FOR BEAUTY FIND IT, and nowhere does that prove to be truer than with a self-titled album by an artist who knows her way around a song................ - Chicken Soup Magazine


"Lyrical Grace: Rhian Ayanna"

“Rhian was destined to breathe notes filled with diversity, warmth and spice”

It's when a womans voice trembles your spirit with energetic vibes of soul, sweetness, love, grace, and consciousness, it's when you just have to stop and close your eyes in the midst of her tone, when her vibe interrupts you, gaining all of your attention, it's when you listen to the lyrical grace of songstress Rhian Ayanna.

With musical influences such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Bill Withers, the Doobie Brothers, and Sade, and having a background in opera, soul, jazz, theater, and musical theater, Rhian Ayanna brings her fresh new sound to the music waves with her iridescent vocals, and meaningful lyrics, and will have you pressing the repeat button on your cd changer several times before listening to her entire album..............
- YMIB magazine


"Rhian appears with producer David Foster on NBC's new show "Star Tomorrow"."

Rhian performed a haunting rendition of one of Etta James' popular all time classics, "At Last". Rhian appeared with world renowned producer, composer, performer David Foster. Mr. Foster said of Rhian's performance, "There's no doubt about it. Rhian Ayanna has an amazing voice. She can definately sing.". - nSn


Discography

Rhian Ayanna (Japanese Release) P-Vine Records 2007
Rhian Ayanna (US Release) Regality (CD 2006)
Somi:Red Soil In My Eyes (CD 2006)
This Is Soul 2005 (UK Release)Soul Brother Records 2005
The RH Factor: Roy Hargrove Strength Verve (EP 2004) - Grammy Nominated
Andy Nevala: Waiting In the Alley (CD 2001)

Photos

Bio

A classical education, decorated with opera, soul, jazz, theatre and musical theater backgrounds, is merely a drop in a deep blue bucket for this undeniably gifted chanteuse. Certainly we should recognize Rhian’s formal training at the University of Northern Colorado and her study under such talents as Sarah Dash (LaBelle) and internationally renowned opera singer Diane Bolden-Taylor. It is just as important to note her honorable mention in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition for her composition Time.

Though she has clearly placed her mark on the musical universe through each of her accomplishments, nothing can prepare one for what transpires the moment Rhian parts her lips to set free her vocal splendor. Rhian has a unique ability to transpose her environments, her cultures and her choices into profound lyrical arrangements that reflect an awareness of a universal experience.

Born in New York and reared in the West Indies, Rhian was destined to breathe notes filled with diversity, warmth and spice. The same voice that has journeyed through Gospel and Jazz realms can just as easily ease into a Caribbean melody and mix it up with urban flavors. Much like a chameleon, Rhian is able to take on the colors of the music that surrounds her, becoming one with sound and vibration. With a quality such as this, it is no wonder that her nation-wide experiences include performances at the Blue Note Jazz Club, a vocal appearance on RH Factor’s 2004 Grammy-nominated Strength EP and background vocal performances with Ladybug Mecca of Digable Planets.

Still, the most extraordinary quality that Rhian possesses is not her notable accomplishments, not the fact that she writes and arranges her own songs . . . it is her power to reach within each listening individual and touch the part that longs to fly. She is not afraid to plunge into the depths of human emotion and she does it naturally.

She is a performer who undoubtedly shifts the paradigm for today’s artist.

She is Rhian Ayanna.