The Maryland native's husband is Zo Medley.

"Me and my husband met in 2018. His father is a minister, and I played at his dad's church...four years later...," she said about their marriage when I asked.

Kayla continued that he reached out to her on social media and within three weeks their parents were meeting.

Kayla Water's background as a musician started very young playing the piano that was in the house. Her parents saw her talent and as they say the rest is history. Of course, she eventually started playing with her notoriously famous father Jazz saxophonist Kim Waters. Kayla has also shared the stage with other legends such as Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, Marsha Ambrosius, and Corinne Bailey Rae.

"Growing up we had an acoustic upright piano," Kayla recalled for me. "I lifted the lid up and started playing on it. My parents...gave me lessons at six years old."

The first single released from the "Anew" project is titled "Lush."

"All my music illustrates God....it's to inspire," she said as we talked about the single. "The landscape of lush grass. All beautiful...the green of nature."

Jazz keyboardist Kayla Waters holds the record for the longest #1 position on Billboard's Jazz Chart for a consecutive six weeks. She has accumulated six Billboard #1 hits. Also, a singer and composer, Waters is a Howard University alumnus. She debuted in 2017 with her "Apogee" (Shanachie Entertainment) project which reached the top of the Billboard Jazz Chart. Its single "I Am" also reached the top of the Billboard Jazz Chart. Her sophomore album "Coevolve" garnered two Billboard #1 hits with the singles "Zephyr" and "Full Bloom." Kayla Water's 2021 project had a single, "Open Portals," that reached the top of the Billboard Jazz Chart. Then in 2023 her album "Presence," had a single to reach #1 on Billboard's Jazz Chart titled "Undulation" and the album also offered two Billboard Top Five Jazz Chart hits with "Waterkisses" and "Murky Moon."

I asked about how musicians can remember music only songs and Waters said, "To me it's muscle memory. Singers have vocal memory. The frequency...of the fingers...you get use to the key movements."

She said it's like fingers are learning "a new" dance.

"This is my fourth album." She said as we concluded our interview about the November 7th release of her "Anew" (Shanachie Entertainment) project.  www.Shanchie.com www.IAmKaylaWaters.com

The tour is named after their last album "Hope" (Shanachie Entertainment). The album pays homage to the American Civil Rights anthems that include songs from Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and Hugh Masekela. The newly released singles from the "Hope" album include "Mbayi Mbayi," "I'll Take You There," and "Sechaba." Currently the "Hope" tour is on its North American run that ends in December.

"We've been on tour for three weeks (in America)," he added.

The Soweto Gospel Choir has performed for many legendary individuals such as President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and President Barack Obama. They have collaborated with Peter Gabriel, Bono, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce' and John Legend. They first performed in American in 2004 and was highly welcomed. In fact, they we highly welcomed around the world.

"We tour 11 months of the year...it's our life," Shimmy affirmed when I commented that they seem to always be on tour. "It's a beautiful thing, enjoying life and what God has given you."

The Soweto Gospel Choir has garnered two #1 Billboard hits on the "World Music" Chart. Depending on the audience the choir can sing in English and five of the 11 languages in South Africa - Sotho, Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, and Tswana.

"Right now, we are at 22 members," he told me when I asked. "It can get to as many as 41."

Their "Hope" Tour was launched in 2022, and I am amazed that they are still on their "Hope" tour three years later.

The new single "Mbayi Mbayi" is the first song on the "Hope" album, and it was sung by 10,000 youth protesting the forced teaching of Afrikaans. During that protest many young children were killed. The "I'll Take You There" single is a cover of the Staples Singers' single on Stax Records. The third newly released single "Sechaba" is a cover of Hugh Masakela's hit from the musical "Sarafina!."

"We are touring right now," Shimmy laughed a little. "We perform tonight!"

"It (the choir) was launched to showcase the talent that comes from South Africa. To celebrate the culture of South African, and to celebrate the music in South African," said Choir Master Shimmy Jiyane when I asked why they started the choir back in 2002.

I asked how they select their songs because their roster of songs are from a variety genres of music and Shimmy replied, "The management team...and me...pick the songs. Songs that make sense. We ask, what can we offer musically."

If you have every seen the Soweto Choir perform, I have one, you will be amazed at their dance moves. They really put on a great show.

"Yes, we dance because music is from the soul. Music shakes the bones; makes you hum and sing along," Shimmy said as we ended the interview.

The Soweto Gospel Choir launch a nonprofit, Nkosi's Haven/Vukani Foundation, in 2003 to assist orphans. Vukani, meaning "do something," is their foundation and Nkosi Haven is an AIDS-Care project started by Gail Johnson. They unit to provide various services in South African. The Soweto Gospel Choir has fed over 3,000 children, assisted with three funeral, paid schooling for two young men and allowed Nkosi's Haven to continue to operate to complete its mission that includes supplying mothers and children with food, school and therapy. Aside from choir member Shimmy Jiyane, other founders of the Soweto Gospel Choir include music producers Andrew Kay and David Vigo, choir director David Mulovhedzi (who passed away), and executive producer Beverly Bryer. w www.SowetoGospelChoir.com www.Shanachie.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Business Management/Public Relations Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 26th year. Next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom Saturday April 19, 2025, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles via Zoom Saturday, November 8, 2025. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase and National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $20,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com RSVP for Zoom Access at EventBrite.com or email info@thepulseofentertainment.com.ent.com.