La Tanya Hall

If one word could be used to describe La Tanya Hall's talent, it would have to be diverse. Her versatility in a variety of musical genres has allowed her to travel the world and work with some of the world's most celebrated artists, including Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Harry Belafonte and Bobby McFerrin. She is also an in-demand session singer and an accomplished actress, having lent her skills to numerous recording projects, Broadway shows and television and movie appearances. La Tanya is now ready to make the leap into the solo arena, showcasing her unique blend of jazz.

Raised in Texas and Colorado, La Tanya first began singing professionally at age 13 with her father, a jazz pianist who performed all over the world. "Mastering the standards was invaluable training for me," she says. "I learned from my father to create my own style and not be afraid to take chances vocally." That influence can be heard throughout her music even though one would not always characterize her style as pure jazz.

"Working with Harry Belafonte and Bobby McFerrin opened my ears to the beauty and complexity of world music," says La Tanya. Her exposure to music from South and West Africa, Brazil, Haiti and Cuba cemented her desire to test these influences in her performance.

La Tanya's voice has been described as "powerfully sensuous", "a show stealer" and "beautifully musical" in a number of reviews from around the world. And her stage presence has been touted as "brilliant" and "extremely engaging." As a matter of fact, she was voted "Best Solo Artist – Unsigned Professional" by the Contemporary Acapella Recording Awards (CARAS) for some of her earlier work. The panel, in detailing their decision, wrote, "It's easy to get caught up in vocal extravagances when you've got a voice like La Tanya's, but she tastefully refrains. She lets fly when the time comes, but isn't afraid to hold a note."

Her outer beauty has also not escaped notice. La Tanya was formerly Miss Colorado and 3rd-runner-up in the Miss America Pageant and she has traveled around the country as a spokesperson and performer for the organization.

La Tanya's decision to focus on her solo career is now a golden opportunity to bring this hidden gem of a talent to the forefront.

La Tanya is featured on The Embers, "The Show Must Go On " with Jerry Tellier in a beautiful duet, "Not So Long Ago" . She also appears on the Darryl Tookes EP, joining Darryl in delivering the stirring message of "Live & let Live".