User:Waysing/modern.js

Early Years

Jamaican born, Wayne’s love of music and performing was persistently fueled and inspired by his grandmother. “Mama” as she is affectionately known, schooled him in Gospel with her piano playing, all the while he furtively listened to secular music. This proved essential, as the influences of Prince, Michael Jackson, The Police, Terence Trent D'arby and Babyface, to name a few, became vital in his development as an artist. Upon moving to North America, Wayne was encouraged by his parents to discover instruments like the saxophone and piano but later found his true instrument was his voice.

Career

In 1998, Wayne began to seriously approach his journey as an artiste, and began discovering not only his identity as an artist, but also his sound. He began by exploring electronica/dance, and stirred attention in the underground dance scene with his first hit "Sweet Days". The song climbed to #2 on the local Dance charts in Tribe Magazine out of Toronto. Wayne found comfort in finding a genre unique enough to set him apart from the obvious R&B scene to which he was borne.

Returning from Europe in 2002, Wayne began networking with local Toronto artists and began exposing himself more on the live scene. His rising buzz, led him to meeting Warner recording artist, “Divine Brown “. It was at the start of her career he had the opportunity to work as a back-vocalist with her. This opportunity and increasing networking paid off and he quickly formed a cover band, “Mama’s Basement”. He also had the opportunity to tour with former recording artist, Snow, and also worked with recording artist Ivana Santilli. Wayne continued his hot streak and soon became the lead singer of the Juno Nominated Band "God Made Me Funky". With them, he co-wrote, recorded and released a self-titled, full length album. One of the songs, "Subway Train" was quickly picked up by Parmalat Milk Company as part of their Spring ad campaign. Within that time he also found time to work with Poet, Rapper, Louwop and appeared on his debut and is featured on his latest release, “The Great Escape.” His confidence was building not only as a performer and singer, but now also a songwriter.

In 2003 Wayne began working with musician/songwriter Damir Damirovic, guitarist and writer of the Toronto band "JamesKing ". He also started working with musician, songwriter Milos Angelov who is a bass player with Mathew Good Band and is also a part of the group, Hello Charlie. All three together wrote and constructed well crafted pop songs with elements of rock, jazz and soul. Wayne became anxious at the prospect of finally coming into his own, but soon realized he was not financially able to complete a record. He halted production and shortly after, moved to Montreal. He however always remained confident he would complete the project.

Reminiscent of his 2002 experiences, Wayne found himself once again wiping the slate clean and rediscovering his music, a new home and a new culture. He quickly picked up French and immersed himself in the local scene, meeting and working with artists like Conn Shawnery of Afrocat Studios, Cocoa Thompson, Alan Prater and Sharon Brooks to name a few. He also joined locally acclaimed and award winning Gospel group “The Imani Gospel Singers”.

In 2008 he worked in studio with Motown legend “Bernard pretty Purdie” and most recently, Wayne has been collaborating with well known U.K producer Robert Strauss. Their current compilation in progress will be released by U.K. Publishing Company, Union Square Pub, in summer of 2009. His collaborations continue with partnerships with world renowned DJ/Producer Fred Everything. The track “Mercyless” released on the album “Lost Together” has been voted a favorite on iTunes plus. Just recently, Wayne appeared on a Montreal artist's record by the name of Nadia Bashalani and sang with her on stage opening up for the world famous band The Fray.

Wayne has resumed work on his album, and as previously mentioned, the project appropriately titled “Everything Changes", truly is a representation of not only all the styles he has had to embrace, but also who he has become as an artist!