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Nadia Washington
It is rare that you find gifted individuals in the world of music whose musicianship and artistry are reminiscent of the many legends and icons that have come before. Often compared to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, her style incorporates a fusion of different musical avenues. Her smooth, velvet-cloaked vocals draw in an audience with the slightest effort, leaving many feeling quite misty in a state of emotional bliss.
Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Nadia began showing sighs of an entertainer at the age of 2. As far back as she could remember, she was surrounded buy some of the premiere musicians of the Dallas Metro-plex. Of course one in particular would be her mother, Nelda Washington, who took the hotel bar and lounge circuit by storm in the late 80s and early 90s. Being a single parent, her mother would bring her to studio sessions and some hotel gigs. This was the beginning of her education. “When I was an infant, I would watch her work intently and would never make a sound. It was mesmerizing to watch my mother perform.”
At the age of 5, Nadia had her first performance at a church that seated five thousand. This was the start of her passion for performing. As she began to really get serious about her craft, her mother would invite her to sing along with on some gigs. Eventually, Nadia began singing with her in studio sessions for clients such as Frito Lay and McDonalds. She has also been involved in numerous studio sessions with various major recording artists like David and Tamela Mann of the new television sitcom “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.”
By the time she hit her teen-age years, Nadia found a new passion. That passion was Jazz Music. At the age of 15, Nadia was accepted to Booker T.Washington HSPVA where could learn more about the music that mesmerized her. Attending this school led her to many more opportunities that gave her national recognition- winning 2 Down Beat Student Music Awards and the National Foundation of the Advancement of the Arts. In 2006, she received The Monterey Jazz Festival Outstanding Jazz Vocalist award and participated in the Grammy Jazz Ensemble. Nadia was also accepted to Berklee College of Music on the Bill Cosby Presidential Scholarship. “I was so honored and blessed to receive such a scholarship. I still can’t believe it to this day.” During her college years she experienced things that she could not conceive in her high school career.
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Jazz Singer Nadia Washington Performs at Darryl's in Boston for Valentine's Day Celebration
Source:
MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts
Jazz vocalist Nadia Washington is performing at a special Valentine's Day celebration at Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen in Boston's South End on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Check out details of the Valentine's Day menu for the evening, served from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.. The Dallas-born Washingtonwho cites Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan as influencesreceived the prestigious Bill Cosby Presidential Scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, and since then she has been performing in the New England ...
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Maggie Scott Tribute at Berklee on December 8 Features Esperanza Spalding, Nadia Washington and Others
Source:
MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts
Maggie Scott, jazz vocal professor at Berklee College of Music for 30 years, is being honored by the college and many of her former students at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston's Back Bay. Tickets to the event are $20 for reserved seating and $15 for general admission and can be ordered online. Among the performers and special guests: Antonia Bennett, Lalah Hathaway, Robin McKelle Esperanza Spalding, and Nadia Washington. Scott is ...
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Jazz Singer Nadia Washington Performing at the Langham Boston's Bond Lounge on Wednesday, August 31
Source:
MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts
Jazz singer Nadia Washington is performing at the BOND Restaurant | Lounge at the Boston Langham Hotel on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The Dallas-born musicianwho cites Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan as influenceshas been performing since she was a child. She received the prestigious Bill Cosby Presidential Scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, and since then she has been performing in the New England region and up and down the East Cost. ...
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-Bridgette Lewis of Coffee Talk Jazz Radio
Nadia Washington A tremendously soulful singer and crack arranger who’s been a standout during her years at Berklee.
-Andrew Gilbert Boston Globe
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