Artist description Malaika is a four-woman vocal group that sings music from around the world. /// Based in Ottawa, Canada, Malaika consists of Neema Mugala (soprano), Lee Hayes (mezzo-soprano), Christine Graves (alto), and Stella Haybukhai (bass). /// These women blend their diverse musical and cultural influences to create fascinating collaborations of traditional and original material. Malaika's captivating rhythms and harmonies create an overwhelming audience response wherever they perform. /// Malaika's repertoire includes songs of social struggle, African music, folk, gospel and pop songs, with some blues, jazz, country and even a Japanese love song thrown in! Most of Malaika’s songs are in English and Swahili, and the group’s repertoire includes French, Gaelic, Spanish, Xhosa, Swedish, Japanese, and Hillbilly.

Music Style A cappella

Similar Artists Zap Mama, Sweet Honey and the Rock

Artist History Malaika has appeared everywhere from New York City to Vancouver, from Santa Fe to Dawson City, at festivals, clubs, and concert halls. Malaika has made main stage appearances at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Toronto’s Harbourfront series and the Summerfolk Festival, and the group was featured at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in August 1997. /// The group has opened for The Nylons, and has been featured on ABC TV's Good Morning America. With a performance at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa (June 1996) , Malaika celebrated the release of their first album, "Malaika Live", produced by Ian Tamblyn and Ross Murray. A music video of the Lee Hayes composition "What Is Love?" was shot in Vancouver in July 1996. /// Malaika was selected as an official showcase act at the North American Folk Alliance in Toronto in February 1997. During the conference, two of their songs were recorded by the BBC for broadcast in the UK on the popular program "Folk On 2". As a result, Malaika toured England in November 1997 and recorded a full show for the BBC. Malaika returned for a full UK tour in the summer of 1998, and after a long hiatus, the group is now preparing for their second recording, to be released in Q1 2001.

Group Members Christine and Lee bring their experience as singer-songwriters to the group. They are strong solo performers; Lee is an award-winning songwriter, with a gift for creating wistful, passionate and humorous compositions. In 1999, she released a raw collection of songs on a CD titled ‘The CBC Sessions’. She grew up in the group’s hometown, Ottawa, Canada. Christine hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia. A prolific and edgy songwriter, Christine has two solo CDs; Piece By Piece, and Facing Me. She has toured extensively as a solo artist. Both Lee and Christine teach voice and the art of songwriting. /// Stella and her younger sister Neema, as daughters of Tanzanian diplomats, have lived in a variety of countries throughout the world. Music was an important part of family life, and the sisters joke about being ‘the black Von Trapps’! Stella and Neema are the lead singers in Cheza, a world beat band with a strong following. Cheza has two CD releases to date. In addition, Neema performs in the Voices of Praise gospel choir, and is the director and lead singer in the Sifa Choir, a 15-person group that performs African songs. Sifa also has a CD, released in 1998. /// On Monday, November 1st, 1999 we lost our dear friend and former Malaika member Beth Ferguson to her battle with cancer. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her and/or hear her music.

Instruments Natural Voice

Albums Malaika Live

Press Reviews "OTTAWA'S BEST FOLK ACT!" - 1996 Readers Poll Awards, Ottawa X Press, April 11/96 /// "I've had the pleasure of working with Malaika on several occasions and each time I've felt honoured to share the bill with them. Malaika's music and especially their harmonies are rich, inventive and inspirational. I would be happy to recommend them to anybody who is interested in good music." - Stephen Fearing, performer, Guelph /// "When I first heard Malaika sing, I was moved to document their strength in voice. I could tell immediately that they were women worth listening to, musically and otherwise. Malaika are strong, beautiful women with a rare gift to move audiences to tears as their cheeks ache with laughter." - Tracy Bacenas, film maker, Affinity Productions, Ottawa /// "What a delightful blend of sophisticated musicality, wonderful and distinct vocal qualities, and quirky, sincere stage presence and delivery this group has! The repertoire was surprisingly fresh, with a balanced blend of original and traditional a capella and world beat musics. These four women were enthusiastic and committed to their music and their audience. They created joy and faith wherever they appeared that weekend." - Andy Rush, founder and director, Community in Song, and director,Blue Skies Festival Choir, Belleville /// "Real performers - four women, four voices, with a show ranging from the the quietly introspective to the playfully erotic. I liked them." - Dean Verger, owner, Rasputin's Café, Ottawa /// "Winnipeg Folk Festival-goers sat basking in the light as they listened to the harmonious sounds of the exquisite four-woman vocal group Malaika... Malaika set the crowd alight with its impressive mix of harmonies and solo turns. Singing songs of protest and spirituality from around the world, they were called back for the evening's first encore." - John Kendle, The Winnipeg Sun, July 12/96 /// "Malaika ripped the roof off the joint at the recent Panny Lang launch with a spirited set of gospel, traditional African songs sung in Swahili and Xhosa, and original material, all of which swung mightily." - Mary Lamey, The Gazette, Montreal, June 15/96 /// "In Swahili, Malaika means "angel", but when you listen to these four heavenly voices, you'll figure that out on your own. Singing in Swahili, French, or English, this four-woman a cappella group from Ottawa is phenomenonally good." - Carl Witchel, Hour, Montreal, May 30/96 /// "They have a very full sound and are much more approachable than Zap Mama, and more fun than Sweet Honey." - Paul Sinasohn, CASA Arrangement Librairian, Oakland,CA /// "I should be asking you for your autograph!" - Peter Jennings, Good Morning America, ABC TV /// "These wonderful women can sing in more languages than a U.N. Translator and in more styles than a karaoke machine. Not to be missed!" - Deke Sharon, President and Founder, Contempory A Cappella Society

Location Ottawa, Ontario - Canada

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