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• Kym Mazelle to Wow Audience at ComCelebrate!

Kym Mazelle to Wow Audience at ComCelebrate!

3 March 2008

Diva is special guest artiste at concert hosted by Commonwealth Secretary-General

As a young girl, Kym Mazelle was captivated by the leading ladies of soul -- Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Anita Baker, and Diana Ross and The Supremes.
 
Kym loved the songs, the singers and the stage, and set her sights on being a diva.

 "I loved their voices, the way they sang, the costumes, and their hair," said Kym, with a sparkle in her eyes. "I was so amazed. And I thought to myself - this is fantastic - singing those wonderful songs and wearing those wonderful dresses!"
 
Kym performed with the rhythm and blues group, Soul II Soul, and enjoyed success in the US and Europe with the release of her debut album, Crazy, in 1989. This was followed by Brilliant! (1990), The Gold Collection (1996) and The Pleasure Is All Mine (2005).
 
Kym is famed for her hit single Wait and Young Hearts Run Free, which topped the UK music charts in the 1980s and 1990s. She will perform the latter hit number at the ComCelebrate! concert in London, UK, on 14 March 2008 hosted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon. Kym will make a special guest appearance at the event, to be held at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
 
The Indiana-born singer, who holds both US and British citizenship, splits her time between Illinois, Indiana and London.
 
"I do a lot of concerts in America and Europe, and I do my studio recordings in Chicago, New York, London, Barcelona, Ibiza and Madrid - tapping the best talent in the music industry," said Kym.
 
Having started out as an opera singer following her training at Mundelein College in Chicago, Kym has achieved fame as the 'Queen of House Music', being one of the pioneers of Chicago House Music, which is a blend of funky soul and pop rock dance music with a strong backing of electronic bass drums and synthesiser. House music, which was the rage of the 1980s, saw a revival in the early 2000s with its reggae and hip hop-influenced electronic disco beats.

In her performance, Kym draws on her operatic training to explore her vocal ability in a variety of musical repertoires - from soul to gospel. Her songs are about life, love and faith.

"I sing and write songs about my experiences and the experiences of other people," said Kym. "The people I meet and the places I visit inspire me."
 
Her singles include Useless (I Don't Need You Now) (1988), Wait (1989), Got To Get You Back (1989), Love Strain (1989), Was That All It Was (1990), Missing You (1990), A Place In My Heart (1999), Truly (2000) and Love Magic  [2005). The titles read like entries in her diary.

In her song called Today, Kym pens the line - "I can't stop what I am. I can't stop what I feel. It's a matter of love... I know for sure. My destiny is strong...If you think you can handle me, come on."

Her songs written from the heart celebrate love and agonise over unrequited love.
 
"I've given love that was never returned," said Kym, with a sigh. "It's about the pain, being crushed, your hopes dashed just when you thought you had found that someone special in your life. Sometimes it's the other way around when you are not attracted to the person who is in love with you."
 
A diva with the world at her feet finding it hard to find a soulmate?
 
"Many men find that intimidating - a strong woman who stands on her ground. Or they are attracted by the aura of fame and fail to see the person behind the stage persona, who needs care and affection," said Kym. "And then there's me who's attracted to a person with a sense of humour and adventure, who is energetic and outgoing. And then you fall in love, or think you are in love, but then discover that it's not love or the person you love does not feel the same about you or lets you down."

Despite the adoring fans around the world for someone whose life is a stage, it can be lonely when the curtains are drawn and the lights are dimmed.
 
"I would like to build my life with someone who loves me, loves my music and therefore understands my passion for my work, and someone who is spiritual and loves God," said Kym.

For now, Kym is married to her singing career. Her calendar is lined up with concert performances in the US, UK, Spain and Portugal over the next few months. In between concerts, she is busy with new compositions. She has just finished recording her latest single called Overdue! which will be released in the UK in May. Kym has been approached to lend her name to a clothing line, which will be launched later this year.
 
The diva has seen her name in neon lights, on record and CD covers, and very soon will see her fashion label being worn by trendy women. Kym is not only one sassy lady, she is also a savvy diva in show business - aimed at producing hits both in music and merchandising.
 
"I'm so excited about my life at present," said the vivacious Kym. "There are so many things I want to do at the same time, and so many things overdue!''
 
See Kym Mazelle's video at www.myshowreel.co.uk/kym.mazelle.