Kayla Waters
PIANIST

Artistically poised pianist Kayla Waters is a chart-topping recording artist, composer, producer and film-scorer. After signing a new record deal with Shanachie Records, Kayla victoriously releases her brand new musical offering Presence, a life-giving creative work alluding to the beauty of the ocean and God's abundant love. Beautifully composed and eloquently written, Presence is a stunning addition to her repertoire following albums Coevolve and Apogee. As a five time Billboard and Mediabase number one artist {I Am, Zephyr, Full Bloom, Open Portals and Undulation}, Kayla made history by becoming the first female pianist to reign atop the charts for six consecutive weeks. Recently, Kayla’s musical achievements have been extolled on prestigious platforms, as she was honored with the Rising Star in Jazz Award {Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Foundation of Atlanta} and the Best Jazz Artist Award {The Wammies & The Musicianship} in Washington, DC where she is based. The spotlight has humbly created opportunities for Kayla to play and perform with music legends and prominent recording artists including Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, Avery*Sunshine, Maysa Leak, Sheila E., and Dave Koz to name a few. Passionately alluring, Kayla gracefully flourishes on stage, having played exhilarating and exuberant concerts at intimate venues, illustrious theaters and acclaimed festivals worldwide. Laced with purpose, the luminous artist shined brightly on national television at BET’s acclaimed “Black Girls Rock” awards show, revealing her tenacity and musical diversity by performing with legend Gladys Knight, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae and Imani Uzuri. Kayla was also graciously invited to be a featured keyboardist at the inaugural Fender Rhodes Fest in Los Angeles alongside a host of music contemporaries.  

 

A classically trained pianist who grew up in a jazz household, Kayla’s parents observed her innate passion for music when as early as 10-months old,  "baby Kayla" frequently made her way into the living room and began “playing” the family’s Brentwood piano. Enrolling in piano lessons at the age of six, she instantly fell in love with music and fervently began mastering her gifts. As the daughter of iconic jazz saxophonist Kim Waters, Kayla closely examined the inner workings of the music industry by studying and admiring his successful career. Kayla's musically plush observations naturally inspired her to pursue her calling and passion-purpose as a pianist. In addition to being featured on several of her father’s albums, she tours and performs with him at a myriad of concerts and jazz festivals internationally. These rich experiences nurtured her creative artistry, serving as fertile ground for Kayla’s evolution as an emerging pianist, composer and producer. 

 

With aplomb, Kayla is elated to be an official Yamaha Artist and a voting member of the Grammy's Recording Academy. As a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Howard University where she earned her degree in Piano Performance, Kayla credits the institution for her pianistic success. Spiritually grounded, she revels in the opportunity to share her God-given gifts of music in ministry on each and every stage she graces. Firm in her faith and wholesomely aware of her unique purpose, Kayla never loses sight of God divinely orchestrating her every move.