Maysa: The Soulful Voice of Jazz and R&B

Maysa is an acclaimed American jazz and R&B singer-songwriter known for her rich, distinctive contralto voice and sophisticated phrasing. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, she achieved significant recognition both as a solo artist and as the lead vocalist for the British funk-jazz collective Incognito, with her work earning Grammy nominations and consistent chart presence on Billboard's jazz and R&B lists.

Early career

Born in 1966, Maysa Leak began her professional journey after graduating from Morgan State University, where she studied classical voice. Her big break arrived in 1991 when jazz legend Stevie Wonder, after hearing a demo tape, recommended her to the London-based band Incognito, leading to her immediate recruitment as their new lead singer.

Breakthrough

Maysa's tenure with Incognito catapulted her into the international spotlight, particularly with the 1992 album Tribes, Vibes and Scribes, which featured her standout vocals on the hit "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing." This success paved the way for her solo debut in 1995 with the album Maysa on the Expansion Records label, establishing her as a formidable independent force in contemporary jazz.

Key tracks

Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing — This Incognito cover of the Stevie Wonder classic became her signature introduction to global audiences.

Am I Wrong (For Loving You?) — A smooth jazz radio staple from her 2011 album Motions of Love that topped the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart.

Quiet Fire — The title track from her 2017 album showcases her deep jazz roots and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? — A stunning interpretation of the Michel Legrand standard that highlights her emotive balladry.

Back 2 Love — A vibrant, charting single from her 2015 album that blends classic R&B with modern production.

Her prolific solo career includes over a dozen albums on labels like Shanachie and Blue Velvet Soul, with frequent appearances at the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. Notable collaborations extend to working with artists like Phil Perry, Will Downing, and the late Gerald Albright, solidifying her reputation as a versatile and respected vocalist in the soul and jazz communities.

If you enjoy the sophisticated blend of jazz, soul, and R&B that defines Maysa's sound, you might also appreciate these similar artists. Lalah Hathaway shares a deep musical lineage and virtuosic vocal control. Angie Stone offers a comparable mix of soulful grit and classic R&B sensibility. Will Downing delivers a similarly smooth, jazz-inflected vocal style in the soul genre. Incognito is, of course, the foundational group where Maysa first gained fame for their vibrant funk-jazz fusion.

Maysa's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on smooth jazz FM stations, adult contemporary R&B formats, and online jazz radio streams that champion sophisticated vocalists. Her extensive catalog ensures regular rotation, from her early Incognito hits to her latest solo projects, keeping her voice a constant for soul and jazz enthusiasts.

Listeners can discover the timeless music of Maysa on the radio stations featured here on onairium.com, where her soulful jazz and R&B recordings are regularly programmed for your enjoyment.