Shakura S'Aida

Photo by Tyson Williams

Shakura S'Aida is a Canadian blues and jazz vocalist, songwriter and actress. She is sometimes credited as simply Shakura, and should therefore not be confused with the Colombian pop star Shakira.

She was born in Brooklyn and lived in Switzerland before moving to Canada.^[1]

S'Aida was lead singer of the 13-piece world music ensemble Kaleefah,^[1] before embarking on her solo career. She has also performed as a backing vocalist for Rita MacNeil and Patti Labelle, as well as with jazz musicians such as Jimmy Smith and Ruth Brown. She has also been nominated for several Juno Awards for her music.

As an actress, she starred in a Toronto production of George Boyd's Consecrated Ground in 2004, as well as Sudz Sutherland's Doomstown in 2006.

In 2013, she was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the 'Contemporary Blues Female Artist' category.^[2]

References