About Marsha Moyo

 

Blessed with a seductive, contralto vocal is singer Marsha Moyo. Born in Lusaka Zambia on 11 July 1970, Marsha entered the music industry in 2002 with her acclaimed debut album Dark Child (Sheer Sound/Sony). Yet, her passion for the arts is as old as she can remember. Recalling Joan Baez as the first vocalist she ever heard and raised on other such greats as Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin, Marsha delivers her trademark deep vibrato onto eclectic genres of Soul, Jazz, RnB, and Pop. She describes her sound as one that is fortunate to have been under the great counsel of singers who let you really feel music. Critics agree, as noted by the success of the Dark Child album on which she penned and composed 13 of the 14 songs.

"Her debut album is like a breath of fresh…audiences will find it difficult to pigeonhole the album"-The Sowetan.

For the soul-laced title track, Marsha received a South African Music Award (SAMA) nomination for 'Best African Artist' 2003, two KORA All Africa Music Award nominations for 'Best Female Artist-Southern Africa' and 'Revelation of the Year' 2003 for the racy pop Heaven's Watching, while her Afro-centric multi-lingual dance Pamodzi, is on a Radio France Internationale (RFI) compilation CD Tropiques.

"Music that makes your mind move… a classic example of what a true musician can do" -Vaal Weekly.

At 3 months old, Marsha travelled with her mother and elder sister to join her father who at the time was studying in Los Angeles. There is where she began her education and later between Zambia and the US for secondary school and university respectively. After her degree studies in marketing at Rutgers University where she was a member of the university's honor society, she returned to Zambia and there set up Ad. Track, the first media monitoring company in her country. Alongside her business, Marsha was soon offered the position of Marketing Services Manager of Zambia Sugar, one the largest blue chip companies in her country and there she worked for four years.
In between these 2 areas of employ, in 2001, Marsha authored 'Zambia: Women Celebrated' sponsored by UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) on the achievements of several women from her country. To accompany the book, she wrote, composed and sang Women Celebrated, which pays homage to and captures the enduring essence of women throughout the world. Always remembering her childhood desire to one day professionally sing, in 2002, she resigned from the security of the corporate world, then sent a demo (in that order) to Sheer Sound record company, South Africa and captivated by the young lady's talent, was signed within in days.
That year, she recorded and released her debut album Dark Child and embarked on several promotional tours. In 2003, her major performances included FESPAM (Festival for Pan-Africa Music) in Congo Brazzaville, the opening of 'Arts Alive' at Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg, and a three months performance (the first recording artist) at Burj-al-arab Dubai, UAE, the world's only 7 star-hotel.
Upon her return home from the Middle East, Marsha began working on a new creation, Women Celebrated - the song project, that would mix and master her composition in to six different versions, musically most indigenous with the six continents of the world. For the CD booklet, she sought and received the support of six female world figures from different professional, race, religious and social backgrounds, to participate in her project through allowing her to write short features on their lives that are synonymous with the lyrics. In addition, the women were asked to offer a personal comment that could offer renewed hope to people who are in pursuit of their goals and dreams.
She received participation from Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, of Middle Eastern and North American heritage, who also has written the foreword for the project. Further, the project features Scientist Jane Goodall PhD, DBE, from Europe, South American internationally heralded writer Marjorie Agosin PhD, one of Africa's most renowned freedom fighters Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, sports person extraordinaire Australia's Kay Cottee, AO and a page dedicated to politician and Nobel Peace Laureate, Asia's Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. For 6 months, Marsha worked to re-score the song, produced the 6 mixes, communicated with the women and acted, directed and produced the video.

"Women Celebrated…a moving vocal composition…it tells of our tenacity, resilience and dedication…may this vocal composition inspire women to greater heights…" - Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan

In early November 2004, it was announced that Marsha again received two Kora All Africa Music Award nominations for 'Best Female Artist Southern Africa' and for 'Best African Video' 2004 for Women Celebrated. At the music award ceremony, Marsha delivered an acapella performance of Women Celebrated to an estimated audience of 700 million people televised worldwide. In 2005, Marsha begins her first 18-city world promotional tour. For additional information www.marshamoyo.com

 

Performances
· KORA All Africa Music Awards, Johannesburg, South Africa- December 2004

· Jazz & Blues self titled concert, Lusaka Zambia, May 2004

· Rotary International Award Ceremony, Kitwe, Zambia, May 2004

· Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, first republican President of Zambia, 80th birthday celebration - Lusaka, Zambia, April 2004

· Burj-Al-Arab, Dubai UAE- December 2003-February 2004

· Diplomatic Spouses Fund Raising Dinner Dance, Lusaka October 2003

· Arts Alive, Johannesburg, South Africa- September 2003

· FESPAM (Festival for Pan African Music) Congo, Brazzaville- August 2003

· Fete de la Musique, Lusaka, Zambia June 2003

 

Accolades
· Kora All Africa Music Awards nominee Best Female African Artist- Southern Africa 2004 for Women Celebrated
· Kora All Africa Music Awards nominee Best African Video 2004 for Women Celebrated
· Kora All Africa Music Awards nominee Revelation of the Year 2003 for Heaven's Watching
· Kora All Africa Music Awards nominee Best Female African Artist- Southern Africa 2003 for Heaven's Watching
· SAMA (South African Music Awards) nominee Best African Artist for Dark Child

For additional information www.marshamoyo.com