My Biography

Hello, I was born in 1960, Shepherds Bush, West London. My father was Jamaican and my mother, English.

Introduction to Music

I always loved music and my father influenced me much, introducing me to wonderful writers and musicians at an early age… and I first performed in a band called “Pastiche” while still at school. I played poor keyboards and was soon moved into the backing vocal camp!

The early 80's

After leaving school I began working in clubs and as a part-time DJ and waiting tables whilst doing secretarial work in the daytime.

It was there my very veiled eyes began to be opened to the reality of the world and its hurts. There I was exposed to the drug culture, guns and prostitution… I thank God for that hard time always… I learnt so much that changed my whole attitude towards people, life and truth. I was physically touched by darkness and evil and I suppose somewhere deep down began the questioning of the heart towards faith. Meeting men hurt by women and women hurt by men, lives of addiction, gambling, sex etc. and those addictions steering lives into corners… it of course began to shape the way I would begin to write lyrics as an artist.

My love for music developed, and in order to earn money for studio fees I travelled abroad working as a professional catwalk model, finally reaching the point in the early 80's of securing my first record deal.

House Music - The Only Way is Up

My first real break then, came in 1988 with the release of ‘Doctorin’ the House’, with the band “Coldcut” with whom I also recorded the single, ‘The Only Way is Up’ which maintained the No.1 chart-hit position for 6 weeks, in release with the album ‘Wanted’.

DJs and Coldcut

I continued to record alongside top club DJs such as Roger Sanchez, David Morales, Eric B, Rakim and Coldcut, and developed myproduction skills working with producers Danny Shogger, Stephen Lipson and UB40. I became involved more and more in the production side of the recording process, co-producing tracks on a further two albums during the next few years. Moving through ups and downs, the very highlight of that period was the birth of my gorgeous daughter.

Becoming a Christian

It was then in 1996 that I became a Christian, and my search had finally found its answer in the face of love, Jesus Christ. I later met and married my wonderful husband and moved to be with him in Spain, where my family and I attend a small but growing Baptist church.

Life in Spain

I soon became very much involved in my current church, leading the privileged work of music and worship ministry and collaborating to form its first church choir.

And as my faith has deepened I have become more and more compelled to work specifically with drug addicts and alcoholics, perhaps because I saw so much abuse during my former years in the music business, and I'm really grateful to be able to use my gifts to serve others. I have been honoured and challenged to work alongside the worldwide Christian ministry and charity REMAR.

Over the last few years I have also enjoyed ministering in various Christian music campaigns, in N. Ireland, the UK, Israel and Switzerland. I cannot describe in human words the depth of joy this brings to the innermost being of a believer in Christ Jesus.

Yazz Today - new album 'Running Back To You'

Having grown both in my faith and as a person, I have been waiting to release this new album with much excitement, for this album is a compilation of where I have been, felt and found, and is an expression of my heart's love, and conversations with my Father God Almighty. My prayer and hope is that it may touch you somewhere in your innermost being and bring you hope and healing.

Discography

Wanted (1988)
The Wanted Remixes (1989)
One On One (1994)
Natural Life (1997)
At Her Very Best (2001)
Tribute to Burt Bacharach and Hal David (2002)
Running back to you (2007)