Biography
Amiena's love for music and variations of styles developed at a young age. Growing up in a home without television, she spent most of her time listening to a wide variety of music. They all became her favorites and would later foster her own soulful style of popular eclectic sounds.
Her first solo performance was at the tender age of five and she has not stopped. Since that time, she has pursued her evolving musical passion through vocal competitions, live performances, and humanitarian causes.
Like many aspiring artists, Amiena questioned the practicality of music as a career. On the other end of the spectrum, she explored a career in Law.
In 2000, Amiena was asked to submit a song for a TV show. Her song did not air but the experience prompted her to explore the multimedia realm of producing music for TV & movies. Luckier the second time around, in November of 2006, a song she sang, "Never Know", aired on the popular FOX TV show 'Bones'.
In 2006, her first project was released. "Right Here" is a collection of thoughts and dreams all captured in musical forms that transcend different musical genres; and expresses deep connections with different people and places. That same year, in November, Amiena walked away from the LA Music Awards with R&B Album of the Year and Nu-Jazz Vocalist of the Year for the song "Fourth Floor".
In 2010 Amiena traveled to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Darfur to work with a charity organization. Traveling from villages to cities, she built learning rooms, assisted in a dental clinic and, sang at small gatherings where woman and children were present. Whilst there, Amiena saw first-hand the daily struggles of life, thus furthering her passion for raising awareness for women and children.
Fast forward to 2012, “It’s been a long time coming…” Amiena released her second project, a self-titled EP. This project combined the talent of her co-writer, Chris Mann (Season 2 on NBC’s “The Voice” aka the Opera Guy) and, multiple Juno award winning and Grammy nominated producer, Adrian Bradford, on three of the songs. Amiena teamed up for one song one this EP with former SonicFLOOd artist turned producer, Dwayne Larring; along with the musical talent and arrangement of Kenneth Crouch and created 'The Medley' which, merges two of her all-time favorite songs, 'The Nearness of You' and, 'When I Fall In Love'.
November 2012 Amiena completed a holiday EP, "Make The Season Bright" with TV / Film composer, Jeff Cardoni. Choosing to record some of the "not-so traditional" holiday songs such as 'Zat You Santa Claus' and, 'Don’t Be A Jerk, It's Christmas', Amiena shows her creative, witty and eclectic side.
On July 13, 2013, Amiena released her first full length album since 2006. Teaming up once again with her favourite producer, Adrian Bradford, "Real" came to life. An obvious growth in lyrics and delivery from her 2006 release, "Real" is made up of six songs written by Amiena, two songs written by Canadian singer/songwriter, Diana Pops and covering "We Try" by Frank Ocean along with "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles.
Now in 2014, Amiena is working in the studio on two separate projects; "The Muse" and "The Musing" with Adrian Bradford and a recent introduction with producer and collaborator, Myles West. These two projects include her live band members Jamie Kime and Chris Roy. Added to that mix, guest drummer James Gadson plays on four songs.
Her first single from these two projects is "Come With Me". Produced by Adrian Bradford and penned with Amiena's classic style of "straight from her diary" lyrics. Musically, it's a little throwback to the 80's, spiced up with smooth, expressive vocals and, this song soars to life
In the end, the love and respect Amiena has for the classics continue to influence her sound while the new sounds of pop and R&B round out her style creating the simplest way to describe her voice and overall talent - simply genuine!
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