With a smile that echoes peace and eyes that are sure to light the path of any passerby, Navasha Daya embodies all that is tranquil while her mere presence is sure to leave the fingerprints of delight upon the ears of anyone willing to listen. Then again, how can you not pay attention to her powerful voice that is reminiscent of a mother beckoning her child for dinner? In this case, her cuisine is food for the soul. Once dubbed an “astral soul goddess,” Navasha is the New Age Renaissance woman and this is evident in her reigning abilities in music, teaching, and holistic practices.
A Baltimore transplant by way of Cleveland, Ohio, this singer, songwriter, and producer, is no stranger to the ears of many. Navasha is internationally known as the lead singer and founding member of Baltimore based Nu-Jazz group Fertile Ground. She has shared the stage with legendary greats such as Chaka Khan, Hugh Masekela, Earl Klugh, Joan Baes , Angelique Kidjo, Rachelle Farrell, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, India.Arie, Bilal, Common, Zap Mama, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Anthony Hamilton, and Cassandra Wilson to name a few. Her stage presence and resounding spirit filled voice has bellowed from stages throughout the world and has landed gently upon the ear drums of thousands of adoring music lovers. Navasha’s pen has composed songs that have been remixed by some of the world’s top DJ’s and producers.
As an artist activist and an advocate for social change, Navasha’s helping hand extends far into the throes of the community. Merging character development, cultural arts and musicianship skills in classrooms, she has taught voice and music to elementary and middle school aged children for the past 12 years. She is the co-founder/director of Healing and Performing Arts for the Baltimore City Youth Resiliency Institute (BCYRI) and in 2006 she formed her Children of the Sun Choir. Amidst the musical and writing background is generally a spark of physical movement and with Navasha this comes second nature. Her body flows like water when she graces the stage and it is for this reason that the fact that she is a choreographer should come as no surprise. Her choreography and co-director skills can be seen in Ladies Verse, a professional female artist collective, dedicated to promoting balance, social change, and creativity among women and the world.
While embarking on her long awaited solo project, Navasha Daya is currently touring with Zap Mama and is in the studio recording with the a capella all female Black Native-American singing group Three Generationz. A cornucopia of creative manifestations; she shares her talents with the world as a musician, entertainer, voice teacher, choreographer, certified healer, ordained minister, and scholar. Standing as a woman of truth, balance, peace and love, Navasha Daya is truly a Changing Woman filled with divine Goddess energy that is sure to radiate from her being regardless of performance space.
“Music is the truth! It’s an aspect of God and creation that manifests in this beautiful way that helps us change our mood, that inspires us… it brings us to focus.”
~ Navasha Daya
