Yaz Alexander

Yaz Alexander

Yaz Alexander is a British vocalist and solo artist from Birmingham, known for working across reggae, jazz, soul and R&B, with roots rock reggae and jazz at the centre of her style. She also performs in related areas such as rocksteady, blues, hip hop, dub, indie and experimental music. Her live work spans clubs, festivals, theatre and concert settings, and she builds her reputation on lead, guest and session vocals as well as stage performance.

Style and influences

Her singing draws on a wide range of female performers, including Billie Holiday, Shirley Bassey and Diana Ross. In her own material, she places strong emphasis on reggae, with Bob Marley as a major influence. Her lyrics often carry moral, social or didactic messages, and she is associated with a performance style that combines energy, presence and a strong vocal delivery.

Career and collaborations

Before establishing herself as a solo artist, Alexander works as a backing vocalist and also takes lead vocal roles. She performs with and alongside a number of reggae and related artists, including Pato Banton, Steel Pulse, Eddy Grant, Dean Fraser, Abijah, Ranking Roger, Willie Stewart of Third World, Peter Hunnigale, Nerious Joseph, Vivian Jones, Basil Gabbidon, Sylvia Tella, Toyin Adekole, Peter Spence, Jeremiah, Skibu, Lytie, Shaz Akira, Andy Hamilton and The Bluenotes, Andy Gayle, Soweto Kinch, James Renford, Konig, and Amlak Tafari. She is also noted for performances with Marcia Griffiths, The Mighty Diamonds, Freddie McGregor and Lucky Dube, and for collaborations in Malta, Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

Live work and reputation

Alexander is described as a regular stage performer who works confidently in live settings and in the studio. Her performances are noted for their control and conviction, and she is regarded as one of the more in-demand vocalists on the circuit. Testimonial comments in the input describe her as energetic, highly talented, and as having a strong presence and a large voice.

Additional notes

She describes her music as a mix of reggae, jazz and experimental ideas, and presents herself as an independent solo artist. Her work is also associated with Christian, gospel and Jesus-reggae tags, alongside female roots-reggae and reggae.