A Conversation with Kamilah Marshall by Monica Yasher
If you’ve Googled Kamilah Marshall (formerly Martin), you already know she’s a household name in New York and Los Angeles. Since 2003, Kamilah has been one of the Staggering Harlettes, singing backup for Bette Midler, recently closing in The Showgirl Must Go On at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Broadway fans know her from RENT, Hairspray and Disney’s The Lion King, while her LA followers find her at Molly Malones and the House of Blues on the strip.
Kamilah grew up in Orange County, California, listening to every genre music had to offer. “Mom blasted Aretha, Patti and the Pointer Sisters, while Dad handed down a jazz education that included Miles, Bird and Coltrane,” she says of her growing up years. “Somewhere along the way I picked up Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendryx and I fell in love with country music.”
Marshall graduated high school six months early to tour with Heart Strings, a show designed to raise money and bring awareness to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Six months and 40 cities later, Kamilah had shared the stage with Nell Carter, Salt N’ Pepa and Patti LuPone. “Heart Strings allowed me to see the business from the inside at an early age.. I couldn’t have paid for that education,” Marshall says about her first tour.
With appearances on the Tonight Show w/Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, The View, Oprah and Ellen, Marshall is humbled to say she has worked with the best, whether it’s onstage with the great Bette Midler or in the studio with producers Salaam Remi and Nile Rodgers. And a recent performance with the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra proved she can do anything she sets her mind to. The recent release of the soundtrack for Sex and the City 2, finds Kamilah singing an old standard, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, and she is featured on The Original Cast Recording of the Broadway musical, Hairspray and the soundtrack for the film, Hairspray, The Musical.
Gypsy Moonshine is her latest effort and is rooted in the Blues. Marshall sings about people and life experience and somewhere between her melodies, you’ll hear her soul and find yours. Marshall is sure to captivate and transport you to a backwoods Memphis juke joint. Kamilah’s spirit is a light in the dark, as she sings about her life and yours. Let’s see what Kamilah has to say.
Monica: What was it like backing up Bette Midler?
Kamilah: Amazing! It was my most challenging job to date and I love a good challenge. I had been a fan of hers, since I was young. So, booking the job was a dream come true!
M: What did you learn from her as a musician and performer?
K: What didn’t I learn? The biggest thing I learned was how to focus on my strengths instead of concentrating on my weaknesses. I also learned how to be a great business woman….I could go on and on!
M: You perform in musicals and sing the Blues. Do you think at some point in your career, you will have to choose and be specific in music?
K: My early career was spending doing Broadway. Yes, and I love it. But now I’m in a space of music and songwriting. I’m sure I’ll do another show in the future. But right now, I’m concentrating on just sangin’ and writin’.
M: You speak of your tour with Heart Strings and due to that experience music was not going to be a hobby. What ONE moment during that time period made you realize that?
K: I’m actually not sure if it was one specific moment. But, I know that during that entire tour, something clicked. And, that I was moved to continue doing this forever.
M: Tell me about your new CD, “Gypsy Moonshine”. How did you go about picking your music?
K: Gypsy Moonshine is my baby. I like to think of it as if Bonnie Raiit and Ray Charles had a baby. It would be Gypsy Moonshine. It was a very natural process getting to the style. I initially wanted to sing country music. I grew up loving it, and thought if I ever made a record that’s what I would sing. But when I started writing, I realized that I had so many influences for it to be country. In the end, it led itself to be more contemporary Blues with a country twist.
M: How did you arrive at the title?
K: My husband started calling me Gypsy Moonshine one day, and immediately I knew it was my alter ego as well as the title of my record. (She laughs). Something about those two words really captured the essence of my music.
M: For your CD, what was the most important thing you wanted to accomplish? What was important to you in this project?
K: The most important thing I wanted to accomplish was finishing it. I really didn’t want to get caught up in the future or a record contract or if it would make me famous. I just wanted to finish something I started and I knew once I had the finished project in my hands, the rest would follow. I am now so proud of every detail of it.
M: How was your music selected to be on the “Sex and the City 2 Movie Soundtrack 2010”?
K: I actually auditioned with two other friends of mine to be in the movie and we got picked to sing the classic “Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered”. The director in turned loved us so much he wanted us on the soundtrack and asked me to do the lead on the track. An honor! We eventually got cut from the movie but remained on the soundtrack (she laughs). I think we’re supposed to be on the deleted scenes on the DVD. That’s Showbiz!
M: What has been your BEST moment yet?
K: My best moment? In life was marrying my husband or finishing the Long Beach Marathon. My best career moment would have to be Gypsy Moonshine. There is no greater accomplishment than one you’ve don all yourself. I wrote those songs and co wrote with friends. I paid for it all myself, and the feeling that I had the night of my CD release party with a room paced with family and friends is well there is no greater feeling. I will remember it forever.
M: What is your strongest point as an artist? What would you like to improve upon?
K: My strongest suit is storytelling. Be it telling the story of someone else’s life or my own. I know that’s what I’m best at and the challenge for me was making that come across on the record. With the visual. As far as improving…I want to improve upon every area. Singing. Songwriting. My live Shows. I’m always looking to take everything to the next level.
M: You have worked with many performers and have been on several TV shows, do you have a memorable moment to share with us?
K: Recently, I got to do the tonight show…Jay Leno…with Liz Wright. I have been a huge fan of hers for years. She’s a HUGE inspiration to me.
M: If you weren’t singing the blues what would you be doing?
K: I DON’T KNOW BUT I KNOW THAT I DON’T WANT TO FIND OUT.
M: What do you wish to accomplish next?
K: Oh sheesh. I don’t know. My career has had so many wonderful surprises.
Who knows what’s coming? I’d love to write more and possibly look into another record someday. I’m saturating my brain with tons of old blues and lots of Ray Charles. So, I can’t wait to see what comes out of me next. But, I’m still giving Gypsy Moonshine life right now!
M: Would you change anything that you have done? Why?
K: Nope. I believe everything has happened as it should have. People always ask me why I didn’t make my first record sooner. The answer is….I don’t know! But, I do know it wouldn’t be the record it is today. No regrets!
M: What would you like your audience to know about you that hasn’t been said?
K: That the record is available on Itunes and CDBaby. Thank you.
