Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Jade.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started singing when I was six years old in church. Music has always been a big part of my life and my family! I was born into a family of creativity. My parents are from the West Indies (Guyana and Jamaica) so my childhood was filled with music, laughter and spicy food! I attended Suitland High School Center for Visual and Performing Arts where I studied Vocal Performance and graduated in 2007. I then went on to earn Bachelors degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and College in 2012. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. A week after graduation, I traveled to Italy to sing in my first international opera. Later that year, I joined the USA Gospel Singers and Band tour for three months in Germany, Italy and Austria.
Upon returning, I decided I wanted a break from full-time music and I wanted to see what a “normal” life was like. I taught Special Education for three years in Washington, DC. In 2016, as a birthday gift to my mother, we traveled to see “The Color Purple” musical on Broadway. This production experience made me believe in the magic of the stage again and I decided that I wanted to move to NYC! In 2016, I relocated to the Big Apple and within three months of working any and every job that paid me in money or food, I booked my first job that allowed me to work as a professional musician full time again! Since then, I have shared the stage with Ray Chew, Ledisi, Loretta Divine, Lizzo, Cory Henry and more!
Has it been a smooth road?
No journey is smooth entirely and my story is no different! The main struggle that prevented me from really pursuing my dream was a lack of representation. I rarely ever saw full-figured, black women singing on big stages! In opera, if I got a lead role, I was often the only black actor with principle role and one of only 2 or 3 in the whole production. When I toured Germany, I noticed that we were being paid per show the price of the tickets and it wasn’t sitting well with me. As a kid, I dreamed of being a singer but I never had anyone to really explain what that dream looks like in reality. I had no idea what the breadth of opportunities a career in music could yield. I’ve also dealt with the stigma of being a full-figured performer who people don’t always want to see doing things other than standing in one place singing! I LOVE to dance and until I was in productions that involved movement and/or choreography, I felt like I wasn’t really living up to my fullest potential. Moving to New York exposed me to so many different types of gigs and career paths for music where there is more than enough room for everyone to shine in their own way!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Tamara Jade LLC – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Tamara Jade LLC is a new name! I just registered my name as a company so that I can properly handle business affairs as an artist! There are taxes and all kinds of financial responsibilities as the artist who’s name is on the bill! And rather than having all of my money and documents funneled through my personal taxes, I created the LLC to have proper business practices as an artist! I recommend all artists who hire producers, musicians, background vocalists, engineers, etc. to register their artist name as a business!
My vision for my music is to bring positivity and light to anyone who will listen. I seek to inspire others to chase their dreams and live life to its fullest potential all to a relatable soundtrack. I also contract bands, singers, DJs and hosts for lifestyle events under my event company: The Soul Collective USA.
The main thing that sets me apart is that I’m not just an artist, I’m a business! I’m about the business of music! Moving to NYC showed me what having corporate work as a musician looks like and how comfortably you can live from that! I also consult with artists to create artistic business and marketing plans. And lastly, my brother and I write and produce other artists through his studio and entertainment company: Haven House Music Group.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
My favorite things about Atlanta are the food and the black excellence! It reminds me of my home county: Prince George’s County, the most affluent black county in America! I love that there are places in America that challenge stereotypes and media misinformation of what it means to be black in America. I love that I can see a spectrum of blackness in Atlanta. The TRAFFIC is very frustrating in Atlanta! I don’t understand how the highways can have eight lanes and ALL of them are standing completely still. I’ll never be okay with that!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tamarajademusic.com
- Email: tamarajademusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tamarajademusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/tamarajademusic1
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/tamarajademusic
Image Credit:
Lelund Durond Thompson (Black top, girly hair photo), John Abbott (black and white neck tie), Makoto Ebi (personal photo with hat on)
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