The Turntable Podcast: Wayna
2009-02-05
Epidode 29: The Higher Ground of Wayna
Check out The Turntable as we are joined by Wayna, the Ethiopian-born, indie soul singer/songwriter, with a sound that is sweet and soulful as it is honest and passionate. Listen in as we discuss her new CD, “Higher Ground” and her Grammy nomination for Best Urban Alternative Performance.
Wayna’s love for music started as a child, when she starred in theater productions like “Annie,” and “Damn Yankees” and toured with a children’s musical review company. Wayna continued to hone her vocal talents as a young adult by absorbing the works of her greatest influences, including Minnie Riperton, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway.
In 1996, she founded a gospel quartet and performed with the group at the World Famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY, where they placed as finalists in the Amateur Night competition. She traveled with the critically acclaimed University of Maryland Gospel Choir and regularly performed at churches and gospel showcases throughout the East coast
After earning a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and Speech Communication from the University of Maryland, Wayna began her professional career as a Writer in the White House for the Clinton administration. However, she later left to concentrate on her music full-time. Since then, Wayna has collaborated with legendary studio icon/producer Bill Laswell, with critically and comercially hailed producer Eran Tabib, Jive Records producer, Veit Renn, and former Touch of Jazz standout, Kev Brown. She is a featured vocalist/co-writer on on the Sly and Robbie album, Version Born released by Palm Pictures and also featuring contributions from Killah Priest, Black Thought, and N’dea Davenport. She’s also served as a featured vocalist and writer on a number of independent projects for artists, including W. Ellington Felton, Kenn Starr, Kev Brown, Cy Young, and Tamara Wellons.
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Charles White
Charles White is an audiophile and owner of PM Sounds, a company that develops branded compilations for a range of high profile clients. He also produces Free Soul Radio, the eclectic soul Internet radio station streamed through Pmsounds.com and Live365.com. Free Soul Radio is currently ranked 16th out of the 367 R&B/Urban stations streamed through Live365.
Fathom DJ
As one Chicago's hottest DJs, Fathom's set features a variety of soulful sounds to satisfy both radio listeners as well as those who delve deeper into the obscure. Her love for music includes soul, house/garage, hip-hop, jazz, acid jazz, afro and electronic beats. She has worked a variety of private and commercial events, opening for such artists as Roy Ayers, Kindred The Family Soul and Eric Roberson among others.
