TAWANNA SHAUNTE’S STORY

Tawanna Shaunte is a global soul-stirring singer-songwriter and musical powerhouse. Her contagious, electrifying persona and heartfelt, riveting songs arouse audiences worldwide. She has performed in notable venues and festivals internationally and nationwide, including the Blue Note, B.B. King Bar and Grill, St. Nicks Pub, Chicago BluesFest, Harlem's New York summer stage, enriching concert series, colleges, and universities.

Tawanna gained her musical experience by mixing organic beats such as soulful folk, jazz, blues, R&B, and country with high-voltage stage performances—her soothing, beautiful, velvety tones mesmerize audiences. Being from Mississippi enhances her ability to interpret and present music in such a profound way. She grew up in Florence, Mississippi. At the young age of twelve, Tawanna lost her father in a car accident. Devastated by the loss, Tawanna lost interest in music until a family friend who was a local radio personality encouraged her to get excited about music again and began placing her in talent shows. This allowed her to connect with known artists who would shape her craft tremendously. Fast-forward Two thousand six, she took a life-changing trip to South Africa with her husband and two sons. They visited the Miriam Makeba Centre for Performing Arts in the Eastern Cape.

Once she stepped into that anointed space and spoke with the center's director, he heard her sing and encouraged her to unleash her musical gift professionally. He felt something special, and he believed her voice would be used to galvanize and motivate the masses. After returning to the U.S.A. Tawanna began quickly seeking musicians to unite with; she met drummer Gregory Stewart, a Gary, Indiana, native with family roots in Mississippi, performing at a local lounge where they bonded instantly, and later formed the band "Eclectik Soul.“ The band successfully ran for five years, creating dynamic shows and opening for artists such as Music Soul Child and Chrisette Michelle, Mint Condition, and many more. They released two well-received albums, "Eclectik Soul" and "Rising."

Tawanna left the group to embark on a solo career that began with a joyful, smooth, inspirational single, "Shades of Color," which caught the attention of Grammy-award-winning jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson, who said, "Tawanna is a fierce powerhouse! “In 2015, Tawanna released a riveting album titled "Freedom Agent in 2015. The album harkens back to the musical storytellers of the 1960s and 1970s, such as Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, and Donnie Hathaway. It takes listeners on a compelling journey to feel and witness storytelling in its most provocative and honest expression. Tawanna released a single in 2017 titled "LIFE," penning encouraging lyrics to her fans not to give up on themselves. Tawanna also created an apparel line, Freedom Agent Collective, and a podcast series, Freedom Agent Journeys, where she interviews and shares perspectives from the most thought-provoking creatives.  In 2020, she released an EP, "Blues & Lightning Bugs," dedicated to her parents, family upbringing, and musical mentor Melvin Hendrix. She also collaborated with blues legend Bobby Rush on the song "Heavy Days," where he passionately plays his resonating harmonica. She recently released a mid-tempo, delightful, wavy R&B jazz lounge groove, "MERRY GO ROUND," in early 2024. She is also excited about her forthcoming jazz EP, recorded in Johannesburg, South Africa, in collaboration with an incredible South African jazz musical icon. In an interview, she shared, "I'm constantly evolving and willing to tap into new musical spaces and expand my creative craft. I want fans to experience my music and listen attentively to every melodic vibrational note and word that will impact them to soar."

Tawanna’s Story