photo by steed media service

Jazz artist Maysa Leak has been illuminating the world with her effervescent vocal stylings for the past 16 years. Known as the former lead singer of the group Incognito, Leak’s grace, style, and ability to mold stirring melodies have propelled her solo career, earning her the 2007 SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Award for Female Vocalist of the Year.

“This is the first time I’ve won anything,” says the Baltimore native. “I’ve been waiting so long. This has been awesome [and] means so much more to me because it’s [the] readers’ choice and it’s absolutely a wonderful feeling.”

Leak often reflects on a pivotal event that she believes helped advance her career — working with the legendary Stevie Wonder. “I graduated from Morgan State University in 1991 and I went straight out to California to sing with Stevie right after that,” recalls Leak, who’s celebrating the release of her new album, Feel the Fire. “[Going to Los Angeles was] probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life. My best friend was singing background for him already and she got me the audition. It was a good thing and it taught me a lot. Singing with Stevie was one of the best gigs ever.” - janaya black

Send this Article to a Friend
facebook