Born to a Trinidadian mother and Canadian father in Toronto on August 29, 1972, Amanda Marshall displayed an aptitude for music and singing at a much earlier age than many of her peers. With the classical training she received while enrolled at the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music at the tender age of 3, Amanda was able to harness her voice and appreciate all styles of music.
Interested in jazz, Amanda and a friend went out to a club one night to see one of her favorite singers, Ella Fitzgerald. After the show, they went backstage to meet her, and, as Fitzgerald was quite old and losing her vision and this point, the famous singer tripped and fell. Luckily, Marshall's friend had quick reflexes and caught her. A conversation ensued, where Marshall professed to being an aspiring singer. She sang a piece for Ella, who subsequently assured her that one day, with practice, she could become successful.
It was a similar stroke of luck that got Amanda Marshall's career rolling for real. Performing at a nightclub, Canadian blues-rock guitarist Jeff Healey happened to be in the audience and was immediately struck with her stage presence. Within four months, and still in her early twenties, Marshall was touring with Healey across Canada and was on her way. Still without a record deal, she followed up her first tour with another one alongside Tom Cochrane.
As recording offers started to roll in, Marshall decided to take her time. She traveled to Los Angeles in late 1994, settled on a songwriter and producer, and within less than a year, made her first album under Sony Music Canada. Released in 1996, the self-titled debut's hit singles "Birmingham" and "Let it Rain" brought sales to the platinum mark and beyond.
Worldwide support began to pour in, and on a Rosie O'Donnell Show appearance, Sir Elton John professed to loving Amanda's CD (he had randomly picked up her CD from the "import" bin in an HMV London store). Soon after, Amanda was asked to do the show just as she was beginning a tour with Tears for Fears, which led to even more recognition in the US. Accolades for her success began to pour in, and she received three nominations at Canada's Juno Awards for Album, Singer and Vocalist of the year.
It took three years to tour, relax and create her sophomore album, Tuesday's Child. With so much anticipation, some critics have said that the album did not live up to expectations, despite solid sales and hits like "Love Lift Me." On a personal level, Marshall was deeply satisfied with the album after co-writing 12 of the 13 songs. Always going on full throttle, she followed her May '99 release of the album with an extensive tour that brought her to Europe and Japan.
Turning to more R&B influences from artists such as Jill Scott and Maxwell, Amanda Marshall released Everybody's Got A Story in late 2001. With a new image and a new sound, she has already seen two of her songs break into the top ten charts from the album, which is already platinum in Canada, and is sure to see the sales roll in even more.
Reaching many people with her socially relevant and deep, authentic lyrics, Amanda does not need to do much more to be considered among the top tier in her genre of crossover artists (a mix of adult contemporary, jazz and R&B). With long-time boyfriend and bass player Rob Misener by her side, critics are quickly turning into fans as she establishes herself in the music industry with a unique style.
