KAYLA WATERS is a new(ish) US smooth jazz pianist. Classically trained by her parents (her dad is top jazz sax man Kim Waters), she’s a music graduate of Howard University and since graduating she’s played alongside many soul and jazz stars including Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Patrice Rushen, Avery*Sunshine and Maysa Leak. She’s also played on her dad’s albums and made her own recordings with her debut ‘Apogee’ making No.1 on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz Chart.
Right now Kayla is promoting her second album…. ‘Coevolve’ and she’s just released the track ‘Obsidian Rain’ as a taster. Obsidian, we think, is a sort of volcanic, dark crystal and the tune, though with its own charm, has a dark sombre feel to it.
Kayla is clearly on an upward trajectory – she received the 2019 Rising Star in Jazz award from the Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Foundation as well as receiving the 2019 Best Jazz Artist award at the Wammies in Washington, DC. – and ‘Coevolve’ is set to add to the momentum. It’s out now
