SoJay
Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 1999 | SELF
Music
Press
This talented Canadian artist celebrates her debut 2010 LP “It’s Time We Officially Meet” A collection of 12 beautifully blending Neo-soul, jazz, reggae and pop rock influenced tracks with smooth seductive vocals and thought-provoking lyrics.
The SoJay story started at an early age, singing and participating in local choirs and competitions before relocating to Toronto, Canada from her home city of Ottawa. As a teenager in a new city she’d always had singing on her mind and eventually got invlolved in the music scene by volunteering her time for Phem Phat Productions, producers of the all female talent showcase Honey Jam and has never looked back. She’s says; that experience changed my life by introducing me to the Toronto music scene and was the first of many career defining moments.
To date, she has shared the stage with some of the most talented artists in the industry, including: Saidah Baba Talibah, Natasha Waterman, Divine Brown, Ray Robinson, Toya Alexis and Toronto soul Hop artist a.k.a SUBLIMINAL. Perfoming both vocal duties on his song “Music” for the TRAINATHOUGHT LP as well as live on stage when he opened for Eric Roberson at this years 2010 Urban Music Festival.
Toronto seems to breed talented artists and Sojay is no exception. Apart from her current debut LP, SoJay is also a talented voiceover artist, actress and has a previous EP under her belt from back in 2000. She tell us; “It’s difficult to express into words how passionate I am about this current project, it’s been an extraordinary experience and I hope listeners will sit back, close their eyes, feel the energy and SMILE because this is why I make music”.
Her debut album is a real gem for both music lovers and supporters of todays Indie music artists, with her sweet vocals taking you on a journey through life experiences with songs like the jazzy “Sentimental” to the more Hophop influenced “Love U But Don’t Like U” and Rock Reggae rhythms of “Boulevard Of Dreams”. Using conscious lyrics and personal influences such as Prince, Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott “It’s Time We Officially Meet” is definately breaking the mold that is often associated with today’s music. It’s an all round package of Neo-soul, jazz, reggae and pop rock in one sitting
You can catch Sojay performing tracks from her album live on a weekly basis around the Toronto bar and club circuit. Check her out HERE. Buy her debut album HERE
www.cdbaby.com/cd/sojay
www.sojaysoul.com - Mr. Crates
I've told this story to many people. Before PulpMag became RogueMag I attended an event for a talented artist we featured named Lori Nuic. SoJay was opening for the show and it was that day I realized there was something special about her voice and how it flowed with the guitar. Right after her set I approached her and asked her if she wanted to be featured in Hearing Aid. Since she had no album at the time I wrote a little review telling people to be on the look out. Later on we threw our first PulpParty and I selected her with her guitarist Roger as one of the acts. The chemistry between the two was un-matchable. She rocked it as I predicted and the people who came out rated her one of the best acts. This was back in 2006 and over the years we've grown to be very close friends. It's one of the perks of writing one of the most sought after columns for indy artists. I've got to work with her on the theme song of my band aLLeYNe & tEMuS. WOW. This leads to a future project together...it's top secret, stay tuned!!! LOL. Her voice reminds me of an untamed, raw version of Nora Jones...before she went pop. Her voice has a raspy edge, clearly soulful, smooth like the calm before the storm yet powerful like the storm when it arrives. Your always left blown away!!! Ok that last line was cheesy... If her voice doesn't captivate you her song writing will. She's deep, no fluff, real and from the heart. The way music is supposed to be. I look at her like the sister I never had...so is this feature a conflict of interest...absolutely!!! Ok so the the question is...How does a talented artist set herself apart and break the cookie-cutter mold often associated with today’s R&B music? Well...Toronto based singer/songwriter SoJay has the answer. SoJay gives lovers of the genre the authenticity they crave, with a twist; beautifully blending Neo-soul, jazz, reggae and pop rock with her smooth seductive vocals and thought-provoking lyrics that move the soul. A native of Ottawa, SoJay cites Prince, Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott as her influences. She developed a love for music and singing at an early age and soon joined her school choir. Participating in many competitions, her choir was chosen to perform on Parliament Hill during a Canada Day celebration where she had the opportunity to meet David Foster and Salome Bey. As a freshman of Canterbury High School, SoJay thrived in their Arts Music Program. However, her musical journey almost ended after her family moved to Toronto when she was 15 and she struggled to adjust to the new city. While she continued her studies, music still had her heart. During her college years she volunteered for Phem Phat Productions, producers of the all female talent showcase Honey Jam. This experience changed SoJay’s life by introducing her to the Toronto music scene and would be the first of many career defining moments. As a songwriter, SoJay has worked with Trey Anthony among others. As a singer, she has shared the stage with some of the most talented artists in the industry, including: Saidah Baba Talibah, Natasha Waterman, Divine Brown, Ray Robinson and Toya Alexis. You may have also seen her moving the crowd alongside Toronto soul hop artist a.k.a. SUBLIMINAL. She is featured in his song “Music” from his CD TRAINATHOUGHT and recently performed with him when he opened for R&B/soul artist Eric Roberson as part of the 2010 Urban Music Festival. In addition to her singing and songwriting, SoJay is also a talented voiceover artist and actress having done work in radio ads, TV commercials, and independent films. With 2000’s EP “Introducing SoJay” under her belt, SoJay officially releases her debut album "It's Time We Officially Meet" in the spring, collaborating with some of Toronto’s most talented musicians, including Executive Producer Anthony Wright. “It’s difficult to express into words how passionate I am about this album. It’s been an extraordinary experience and I hope listeners will sit back, close their eyes, feel the energy and SMILE because this is why I make music. Always pursue your dreams! For me this album is my dream come true and I can’t wait to share it with everyone,” says the singer. As SoJay prepares for the next chapter of her journey, we’re reminded of the words of Frederick Delius, “Music is an outburst of the soul.” - Chistopher Rudder
I am very excited for SoJay’s CD release next week! I have had the honor to listen to this album before the official release and I must say I’m hooked!
Thank you, SoJay. Thank you for introducing your album to me. My personal favorite is “Thoughts of U”. I’ve set this song on repeat in my car. And now I can’t wait to hear it live at your release on April 20, 2011.
Get to know SoJay!
It’s Time We Officially Meet on iTunes
Natalie
www.osnap-photography.com - Natalie O Snap! Photography
SoJay (Sophia Jackson) is a Songwriter, Singer; Performer and Motivational Speaker who is passionate about helping youth recognize their power to succeed, sooner rather than later.
SoJay’s life journey of performing, songwriting, public speaking, motivational speaking and event planning has honed a unique ensemble of skills that makes her an integral part of the team. She recognizes that there is an urgency to direct the children and youth of today towards the right path. Ensuring that they receive the training and tools to decode all the negative images, media and experiences in culture, sift through it all and come out on top.
SoJay is the newest member to the INSPIRED team with over 5 years of experience in public speaking, 20 years experience in the performing arts which is one of the main tools used to engage and connect with youth and over 40 years of life experience.
It takes a unique individual to be able to engage, encourage and empower young people and SoJay has the passion and experience required to do just that while also fulfilling her dream to ensure she makes a positive impact and difference in the world.
www.sojaysoul.com - Inspired by Coco
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
To describe the sound of neo-soul /urban alternative singer-songwriter SoJay, names like Jill Scott, Eryka Badu, Amel Larrieux and Nora Jones come to mind. They say that it takes at least a decade to become an overnight success well, time continues for this under rated talent. Born in Ottawa, Canada SoJay’s family moved to Toronto in her teens. It took her some time to get used to the big city, which silenced this songstress for about three years. SoJay was introduced to Phem Phat Productions and Ebbonie Rowe the founder of Honey Jam, an all female multicultural, multi-genre showcase of Canadian talent. SoJay volunteered for Honey Jam for several years and performed at a few of the ground breaking events, along with other alumni Nelly Furtado, Jully Black and Kellylee Evans. The years spent working with Honey Jam is where SoJay rediscovered her voice, was driven to perform as well as met and networked with the who’s who in the Toronto music scene. Over time SoJay paid her dues, performing, writing, sharing the stage, auditioning and jamming with some of the most well known Canadian names in the urban music scene. Glenn Lewis, Divine Brown & Ray Robinson, just to name a few. If degrees of separations could equal millions of YouTube hits, you would already know about this soulful hidden treasure. In 2000 SoJay released a three song EP ‘Introducing SoJay’ and in 2010 she wrote, co-produced and released her debut album ‘It’s Time We Officially Meet’. With her background in event planning SoJay planned, executed and performed to rave reviews at her CD release party and appeared on the first season of the Global reality TV series, ‘Canada Sings!’ One of the judges on the show, Pierre Bouvier of ‘Simple Plan’ stated, “...you have a great voice, you probably have one of the most beautiful natural voices that we’ve heard and I feel I wanted to hear it more…” That same year SoJay followed an opportunity to Miami Beach, FL performing and volunteering her time coordinating events. SoJay auditioned for a chance to participate in a weekly songwriting circle (The M.O.S.T.), hosted by and under the mentorship of Betty Wright, ‘Tonight is the Night’, ‘Clean Up Woman’. That year SoJay had the opportunity to attend the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. As she watched Melanie Fiona (fellow Torontonian) run up to the stage during the pre-telecast show to accept the Grammy for the song she performed and co-wrote with Cee Lo Green and Jack Splash ‘Fool For You’, SoJay swore that she would follow in Melanie’s footsteps. SoJay found herself back in Toronto but continued songwriting with The M.O.S.T. over Skype sessions. This is where SoJay wrote and co-wrote several of the songs that will be on her next project. Thus far SoJay’s musical journey has been driven by a pure love for music and how it has the ability to touch ones soul.
Band Members
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