Kenya

Kenya is a richly inspired vocalist/songwriter whose jazz-kissed soul style is wooing admirers simultaneously in the U.K. and U.S. Ironically, her lyrically captivating compositions almost never made it to the ears of the public. Kenya’s life roles as wife and mother of two sons plus working for over a decade as a physical therapist, clinician and educator nearly eclipsed her vision of herself as a viable artist bearing valuable musical gifts. Now - thanks to her reinvigorated relationship with God and counselors that cosmically expanded her viewpoint on life purpose - all of that has purposefully changed as Kenya prepares to share her first full-length CD, My Own Skin released by Expansion Records in March 2015 in Europe, South Africa and Japan. The LP has already topped the UK Soul Chart at #1 for 4 consecutive weeks (April/May 2015) as well as other London based soul radio stations/programs and world jazz charts. Time invested finding herself has resulted in songs that will be balms of insight and comfort for others.

The American lead single “Let Me” which is currently impacting the Adult R&B Billboard, represents her lighter, danceable side as she sings an open invitation to let her give you joy over a steady mid-tempo groove with lovely flute and synth ambience. “Be Here” which peaked at #28 on the Billboard is a romantic duet produced by and featuring the duo of twin brothers Kloud 9 (Kendall and Kelvis Duffie) that bursts into your ears with the unmistakable guitar vibe that Ernie Isley brought to his brothers’ gemstones.  The US album release of My Own Skin is slated for late summer/early fall.

Kenya McGuire Johnson is a native of Denver, Colorado who began singing at 8 playing flute in third grade and piano during adolescence. By middle school, she was fully active in the arts as a member of advanced and exclusive citywide choirs, jazz ensembles and theater troupes. She also studied voice with Ms. Bennie Williams (who also taught Dianne Reeves before her), skills from which prepared her once to open for the legendary jazz drummer Art Blakey. While attending historical Black college Howard University in Washington, D.C., Kenya was a member of its renowned gospel choir. She graduated from Howard with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy which she practiced. She later earned a Master of Arts degree in counseling and student development, becoming a counselor and educator.

Having placed music on the backburner, a profound void developed in Kenya’s life. She’d chosen fields she could excel in to make a living yet ultimately failed to feed her passion.  By taking a leap of faith, Kenya was able to strategize her life so she could live her purpose- music!

Kenya released two EPs prior to My Own Skin: the self-penned Starting Over in 2010 and a project of covering favorite R&B songs Jazz Made Rhythm in 2012 – via her own KenyaMJMusic Productions company and building fan bases both here and abroad. She has opened shows for Lalah Hathaway, Rachelle Ferrell, Raul Midon, and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition.  Kenya has performed at a variety of leading venues including Chicago’s House of Blues, Billie's Black in Harlem, The Biltmore in Los Angeles, top rated jazz club Dazzle in Denver, CO, Cullen's Live in Houston, TX, The Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo, NY, the Soul Mountain Music Festival, a sold out crowd at Washington, D.C.’s legendary Blues Alley, NYC’s The Village Underground, and the UK’s largest soul music event Southport Weekender.  Finally, Kenya will hit Essence Festival’s Center Stage at New Orlean’s Convention Center July 2015.