Kayla Waters has emerged as a heroine of sorts in the male dominated Contemporary Jazz world over the past couple years. Kayla, who performed with Marsha Ambrosius and Corinne Bailey Rae, among others on BET’s Black Girls Rock, has garnered four #1 Billboard hits with her songs “I Am,” “Zephyr,” “Full Bloom” and “Open Portals” and managed to make Billboard history. Kayla’s song “Full Bloom” stayed at #1 on the Jazz charts for six consecutive weeks, making her the first female pianist/composer to hold that spot for so long. Grounded in her purpose, nothing fazes Kayla, “I show love and humility everywhere I go, it’s infectious!” shares the daughter of celebrated chart-topping saxophonist and one of the premiere architects of Smooth Urban Jazz (and now labelmate), Kim Waters. “I’ve been blessed to be able to stand my own ground and inhabit space as a thriving artist in this arena! The main focus should be less about gender and more about the music – always the music.” Kayla’s unique signature elixir of jazz, classical and soul is a divine combination of all the elements that inspire her. “Music is vibration, vibration is movement, movement is evolution and evolution is life, therefore; music is life,” philosophizes Kayla, whose name serendipitously means “keeper of the keys.”
On July 7, 2023 Shanachie Entertainment will release Kayla Waters’ label debut, Presence, a moving collection of deeply personal originals inspired by her faith and nature. “I love painting musical portraits with my music and my titles reflect the musical content of each piece. As a nature lover, I’m drawn to the beauty of the earth, it’s elements and fuse that into my writing.” Danny Weiss, VP of Jazz A&R at Shanachie Entertainment, says, “Life is beautiful when you listen to Kayla's music. You're enveloped in a world of warmth, positivity, and beauty, and if you're lucky enough to meet her, you'll understand why!”
Kayla Waters made her recording debut, Apogee, in 2017 and catapulted to the top of the Billboard Jazz chart with her single “I Am.” Both the single and album hit Billboard’s yearend charts, underscoring her remarkable breakout year. Her sophomore album, Coevolve, followed a year later, and featured two Billboard #1 hits “Zephyr” and “Full Bloom.” The dynamic young artist once again topped the charts in 2021 with her single “Open Portals.” With the release of Presence, Kayla Waters further ensconces her position as one to watch. She concludes, “This album is my heartfelt offering of life-giving pieces, created to replenish the hearts of humanity. Water is a key element of nourishment; and as one listens to this work, an undercurrent of oceanic motifs are harmonically woven in. It is my hope that all will peacefully bask in the Presence of this spiritually rich journey.”