Former Durban songbird releases new single
Pop singer Jessica Chaz has released a new single, "Answer".
FORMER Durban resident, Jessica Chaz, dreams have come true with the release of a new single overseas entitled Answer.
Jessica, a former learner at Durban Girls’ High School and alumnus of UKZN Howard College, said growing up, she never realised singing would be something she would focus her life on.
Jessica’s passion for music started when she sang harmonies and bass lines to TV ads as a child. Throughout her early school years she tried out different instruments always interested in the groove and beat behind the music. Jessica faced a few curve balls which brought her to the moment when she realised that music was part of her destiny.
“I only decided to go professional with my singing during my first year at university. I loved it, it was challenging but when I was on stage or in classes or rehearsals, it just felt like this was what I was supposed to do. I began to feel an increasing resolve that I was born to be a musician, an artist who was meant to touch people’s lives through my music. No matter what was going on in my life, singing was the one thing I could do, so I fell into it and stayed there,” she said.
Jessica’s musical influences are a mix of different genres and said growing up she listened to Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Gospel Music, everything from Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, the Katinas to Hillsongs, Boyz ii Men.
“Now it’s still quite a range, Beyonce, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Kurt Elling, Israel Houghton, the list goes on!” she said.
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For Jessica, music is where her purpose lies. She feels her journey to date has been to prepare her for the release of her debut EP Dreamin’, set for release in May. “Dreamin’ is about dreams that we all have for our lives; this EP is the story of my journey to find a way to live out my dream, dreaming kept hope alive through every curve ball that came my way, hurdles and obstacles I had to face became stepping stones when I paused to dream again,” she said.
Jessica said ‘Answer’, the first song from the EP, is one of her favourites. The song describes a feeling of despair that so many feel when dreams are on the line, when there is no visible answer in sight, and no physical help to achieve them.
“It is something that I tend to do when I am overwhelmed, I focus on breathing. The response to this track has been so amazing and far beyond what we had ever thought would happen, we are so grateful for that,” she said.
Jessica co-produced the track with songwriter, and sister, Vanessa Moodley, who also sang backing vocals. The track was recorded at The Audio Suite in Durban, and Demitone Studios in Vancouver, Canada. She said she is excited about the release of the EP on 4 May.
Besides singing, Vanessa’s hobbies are reading, exercising, cooking and baking, learning, photography and dance.
‘Answer’ is available on Jessica’s website (www.jessicachaz.ca/answer/) and on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, Shazam, Beatport, Tidal, Pandora and Deezer.
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