In a League of Her Own: Maysa Follows Her Destined Path

During Music Appreciation Month, a fun fact to tuck into your knowledge bank is the health benefits of listening to music.

“There are few things that stimulate the brain the way music does. If you want to keep your brain engaged throughout the aging process, listening to or playing music is a great tool. It provides a total brain workout,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

“You may not be aware of it, but your brain has to do a lot of computing to make sense of it,” Johns Hopkins Medicine also noted.

This medical benefit of music is yet another reason to treasure gifted musicmakers and singers. While some people play music to lighten or lift their mood, others turn to melodic expressions to relax or conjure memorable times from yesterday. 

Maysa, a Baltimore-based singer, writer and music producer sings soul-stirring music that effortlessly tugs at the heart. She works to polish her craft, diligently and methodically. Her professional growth has included owning her own record label called Blue Velvet Soul Records. 

The veteran songstress reflected on childhood memories that intermingled with her destined path to build a musical career. She recalls hearing R&B, jazz, soul, and funk at home day and night.

“My parents played music from the time I can remember,” said Maysa.

Maysa shared that she was destined to be in the music industry at just six years old. She also explained that both of her parents were a great support to her. 

“My mother took me to see the play ‘Purlie.’ Melba Moore walked out on stage and started singing and I knew at that point that I wanted to be a singer for the rest of my life,” the determined artist added.

Maysa participated in talent shows during junior high and high school. She ultimately enrolled at Morgan State University and became a classical vocal performance major. The late Dr. Nathan Carter was the choir director. At that time, Maysa learned about exhibiting discipline with singing and being on tour, before working in the music industry.

“He taught us about being on tour way before I got into the music industry because the choir traveled a lot,” Maysa said, recalling her days as a choir member.

She blossomed and developed her own sound after listening to singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Patti Labelle and others, including instrumentalists.

“I call it jazz, funk and scat and that’s what I do,” Maysa said confidently.

She signed with GRP Records under Universal in 1995. She later began working for independent labels until her 14^th solo album “Music for Your Soul”  was released under her own label last year.

Maysa added, “A year later, I put out a remix for ‘For Your Soul’ album. The remix is by professional remix producers that showcase songs from the original sister album. That’s doing very well, too.” 

The dedicated artist said that she will work on a straight-ahead jazz album and other projects.

“The love of music, the love of people, and the support I’ve been getting for the last 33 years I’ve been in the industry” keeps her going. 

Maysa is currently on tour all summer. She sings with the band Incognito and recently returned from working in London with them. 

Maysa’s diligence, solid work ethic, talent and soothing voice have taken her far. She knows the value of being in the right place at the right time.

A year before graduating from Morgan State University, she successfully auditioned to be in Stevie Wonder’s Wonderlove group. Maysa asked Wonder if she could finish college because her parents sacrificed to send her.

Wonder later worked on the “Jungle Fever” soundtrack with Spike Lee. Maysa’s first professional gig was singing background on the “These Three Words” album. 

When Maysa needed to find work later, a British band, Incognito wanted an American lead singer. Maysa was selected after an audition. She lived in London for four and a half years and recorded the albums “Tribes, Vibes and Scribes” and “Positivity” with Incognito. Maysa’s signature song “Deep Waters” was recorded. Her solo career with GRP began afterward.

Maysa is in a league of her own. The inspirational Morganite who decided to finish college is a credit to her family, alma mater, and Charm City as a whole.

“It’s been an amazing journey, just a lot of magical moments in my life where God has set things up for me to just walk in it with faith.”

Keep up with Maysa and find out her future tour dates via www.maysa.com. Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAYSAOFFICIALLIKEPAGE/.