Bashiyra, Thought You Knew

Having performed backing vocals for music industry heavyweights such as Patti Labelle, Michael Bolton, Diana Ross and Queen, multiple award winner and Independent Singer and Songwriter BASHIYRA brings a wealth of captivating artistry to the industry.

In the early 90's, Bashiyra enjoyed Top 10 success with her release 'I Will Always Love You', a Reggae single on the Jet Star Reggae Distribution Chart which led to several personal appearances in the UK, including London's Apollo Theatre and major music venues in Philadelphia, USA. Whilst experiencing this solo success, Bashiyra was approached and engaged as a songwriter by the production and songwriting team 'Gamble and Huff', the US based producers for the likes of Stephanie Mills.

The 'Walk Spirit Talk Spirit' Jump Cut album by The Red Raw Collective in the mid 90's, featured Bashiyra as a guest vocalist on the jazz endorsed song 'Mistified' on which she also composed the vocal melody structure. During that same period Bashiyra released 'Give Me A Little More Time' on the Japanese DEN album for LIFE records, as well as 'Got To Get Your Love' on the album 'A Sprinkle Of Confetti', which was written by Bashiyra and recorded live at London's Jazz Café. The late '90's saw the release of the single 'This Will Be My Night' co-produced and written by Bashiyra, which resulted in positive chart success in Belgium, numerous personal appearances and radio and magazine interviews. The song is currently available on European compilation CD's and digital download.

In 2001, Bashiyra was interviewed and featured in 'The Pulse' section of the South London Press newspaper for her achievement in Singing, Music and Songwriting. Bashiyra is also a vocal coach and has facilitated songwriting and composition workshops in schools, for private clients and organisations such as The Rock School, The Midi Music Company and The Albany Theatre in London, England. Her involvement with the Westminster Education Action Zone projects in 2003 and 2005 generated successful and positive outcomes. In this project Bashiyra worked with young people aged 8-18 and she also delivered programmes to children with special needs.

Later on in 2003, Bashiyra co-founded the creative arts organisation 'ITA', which was set up to encourage people of different cultures to learn about each other through music, song and spoken word. That same year saw another single release and chart success in Europe with the single 'Island In The Rain', followed by the release of 'U Know I Love It', on the album 'Wowie Zowie' by SuperChumbo aka KISS FM DJ Tom Stephan in 2005. Later that same year, came recognition for her substantial contribution to music at 'The Festival of Black Female Voices', Hackney Empire, where she won the award for 'Aspiring Black Female Singer'. Two years later 'The Game', was released and charted at No#1 in The Mix Bags Review and Charts which was co-written by Bashiyra on The Jalapeno label produced by one of Belgium's hottest DJ's 'Kid Crème'.

Summer 2009 saw the unexpected death of musical genius Michael Jackson. In the weeks that followed Bashiyra was approached to headline in the very first tribute concert to celebrate the life and works of the 'King of Pop' at The o2, Greenwich, London, England.

One year on, Bashiyra's catalogue and work ethic is recognised by the legendary Herb Middleton responsible for production for the likes of Faith Evans, NAS, Phyllis Hyman and Mary J Blige, who signs her to his USA based NuVybe Record label. Production has commenced on a number of projects and both Mr. Middleton and Bashiyra vow to make chart breaking hits for 2011 and beyond.

Awarded 'The Nina Simone Award 2011' in acknowledgment of her contribution to Jazz music, the current self-released debut album 'Thought You Knew' is an eclectic blend of Neo-Soul, Jazz and a twist of Dance and will show Bashiyra's natural and gifted ability to adapt to a change of style with effortless poise and diction.

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