Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye

by Penelope Jamila

I will never forget that special evening at a housewarming in Hollywood, Florida. The atmosphere was congenial and warm. What happened was unbelievable! The floors started shaking like an earthquake! The ceiling and the roof of the home ripped away from the foundation! The walls bulged and burst outward! Champagne glasses cracked in everyone’s hand! It was not an earthquake! It was Mzuri’s voice bellowing from the depths of generations, through her soul! Mzuri’s voice released a deep, rich, sweet melody, while embracing her vocal cords, caressing her lungs, and landing, gently, on our ears! Mzuri’s voice captivated our attention. Her tongue and lips graced and defined each word and note. The quality of her tone reached deep into everyone’s heart! It was this voice that mesmerized the guests on that memorable day! ~ Penelope Jamila

I have not composed an entire song, but I collaborated on a couple of songs. Are you with BMI or ASCAP or another royalty collective Agency? No, I am not affiliated. During your search for recognition with your golden voice, were you aware of the challenges women face in the male dominated music industry?

Where were you when you heard music for the first time in your life? My mom told me I was in a highchair singing! Both of my parents were born in South Carolina. Mom was raised in West Virginia and Dad was raised in Florida. It was destined for them to meet and marry in New Jersey. I was raised in the 1970’s and I heard all the great music that inspired me to sing! My cousin’s boyfriend, Bunny Siegler, was a fantastic writer and singer. These were my earlier influences with music. Do you compose? If so, how many songs have you composed and published? Are they in a book?

Yes, I am aware. When I started in the business, some men made sexual advances towards me.

Once I found myself in a building for an audition, alone. The man started making sexual advances. Immediately, I ran out of the audition without my coat in the dead of winter. The other challenge was making enough money in my nursing career to fund my projects to make it possible for me to reach my professional goals as a vocalist, while maintaining my dignity. Do you work with women musicians?

Yes, now, I am working with Gwen Wahman, a female jazz pianist. But I have not worked with many female musicians in the past. I am looking forward to this new adventure.

What advice do you have for younger people entering the world of literature performance? Find an older musician and let them mentor you. Stay close to them. Study music and, if possible, get a music degree. Write and get your music published and join the Music Union. Listen to recordings from older musicians.

(photo by: Michael Carins)

Penelope Jamila Alleyne