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Short Biography

Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, this award-winning, multi-cultural artist was born and raised in the U.S. & in Switzerland. Azania Noah’s captivating voice, powerful energy and lovely charisma make her a phenomenal performer and a joy to see on stage. She has performed over 800 concerts around Europe, the U.S., Africa and in Asia. She is just as comfortable in major music festivals, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, as she is singing for Presidents and politicians such as the U.K.’s Tony Blair. In Paris, she won first prize in the French T.V. competition “Graines de Star” which was the first French show similar to ‘American Idol’. She also recently featured on the famous TV show “The Voice” in France (TF1 TV) seen by over 8 million viewers internationally. As an avid songwriter as well, Azania’s lyrics are often enriched with uplifting and positive messages and her debut album, Rising, released in 2013, was inspired by the groovy old school soul and funk era, interlaced with jazz and pop. She is currently composing songs for a new album.

Full Biography

Few people are born with the gift of instantly touching people’s hearts with their voice. Azania is one of them. Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, this award-winning, multi-cultural artist was born and raised in the U.S. & in Geneva, Switzerland. From the age of 6 she knew that singing was her calling. “It’s a beautiful way to share emotions and connect with people on a deep level” she says.

Azania’s captivating voice, powerful energy and positive charisma make her a phenomenal performer and a joy to see on stage. She has performed over 800 concerts around the world, from Europe to Africa, Asia and the U.S. and looks forward to travelling worldwide. “It’s always wonderful and fascinating to see how universal music is. It surpasses so many cultural boundaries and speaks straight to the heart”.

Azania has sung at some of the most prestigious venues, including the famous Blue Note Jazz Club and the legendary Apollo in New York City, as well as the Blues Alley in Washington D.C. She has also performed in major music festivals, such as the world-renowned Montreux Jazz festival in Europe and has been invited to perform for 4 Presidents – of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Malawi and former prime minister of the U.K. Tony Blair. In Paris, she won first prize in the French T.V. competition ‘Graines de Star’ on M6TV. Broadcast to millions of viewers, it was the first French show similar to ‘American Idol’. She also recently featured on the famous TV show “The Voice” in France (TF1 TV) seen by over 8 million viewers internationally.

A true chameleon, Azania loves exploring various facets of her voice in different styles of music. During her 12+ years of classical opera voice training, she performed in many different bands of not only soul and funk, but various styles from jazz to disco, electro/house to gospel, reggae to musical theater. In her latest album, RISING, several songs are inspired by the groovy soul and funk era of the 1970’s. However Azania’s compositions evolve from diverse musical influences. “I simply compose what I feel, and I’m inspired by different styles. To me what’s most important is the message and emotion of each song. If you feel it, that’s all that counts”. Reflecting her warm personality, Azania’s lyrics are often enriched with uplifting and positive messages. She’s currently composing songs for a new album to be released in 2015.

Azania is also a talented actress, she notably performed in a short film “Grace” playing a Kenyan immigrant who suffered domestic violence. She recently acted in an upcoming documentary film produced by the grandson of the famous African-American icons, Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis, called “Life’s Essentials by Ruby Dee”.

An avid philanthropist, Azania is goodwill ambassador to the All As One Children’s Center and orphanage based in her home country, Sierra Leone in West Africa. Founded during the country’s civil war, since 1999 they have provided shelter, food, medical care and schooling to over 3,000 of orphaned and destitute children in Sierra Leone.