Tahirah Memory - Pride (2015)

Ever relevant singer/songwriter Tahirah Memory is a Portland, Oregon native. Raised by a willful, loving and resourceful mother, and shaped at an early age by the vibration and melodic hands of her jazz trumpeter father, Tahirah asserted her love for music extremely early in her childhood. Some of her fondest memories begin in her toddler years attending summer festivals in the parks to hear her father play funk, jazz, and soul music under the hot summer sun. Singing full voice in the empty hallways after school at age 8, to make use of the amazing acoustics, and reinventing music videos or creating showcases to perform for family became frequent occurrences. Listening to r&b vocalists on vinyl and emulating their every note, created a love undeniable for the classic love song. Tahirah knew very early singing on a larger platform would be her passion and dream. So, after pursuing academic endeavors, she began to write and sing.
Described as having "...a beautiful instrument, a truly warm and gorgeous sound..." audiences have been inclined to feel as though they come away from a performance post an intimate conversation rather than crowded venue. One listener says there is a "...natural honest element...as though singing is an extension of her breathing." The dynamic tones, soulful melodies and cryptic but honest references truly show Tahirah's ability to relate to an audience using her voice to "...creatively and musically express feelings behind songs in ways that delight and surprise and move..." With fibers in a jazz-rooted father, a chaotic upbringing, an intense sense of feel, a love for old soul, an open ear for all music, and a respect for current rhythm and blues, Tahirah's sound is unlike any other, sounding distinctly like her personal truth.”
The release, of Tahirah’s debut album “PRIDE”, is creating a buzz amongst soul music lovers in Europe, with frequent radio play in the UK and elsewhere internationally, along with support from famed music outlet SoulBrother Records. The lyric focused, vocal rich, soulful compositions are a compilation of old and new works, made timeless. Co-produced by soul singer Jarrod Lawson, who has reached international success nearly overnight with his 2014 release of his own self-titled debut, “PRIDE” shows signs of momentum for much acclaim. It coincides with the release of Portland saxophonist, Hailey Niswanger’s third release, by way of New York, “PDX Soul”, where Tahirah is featured singing the soulful throwback track “Yes, Im Ready.”
Miss Memory can currently be seen touring abroad as a background vocalist for Jarrod Lawson, and has had the opportunity to gain experience sharing the studio or the stage with incredible musicians of all genres in recent years playing her original music and taking part in their ventures. Some of these include her father, and Grammy winning trumpeter Thara Memory, Andy Stokes, drummer Christopher Brown, Hailey Niswanger, latin percussionist Bobby Torres, Eddie Martinez, hip hop duo Lifesavas, trumpeter Farnell Newton, pianist and composer Darrell Grant, pianist and co-writer of much of her music Brian Ward, indie artist Shae Fiol, Sony recording artist Lyfe Jennings, and grammy winning "best new artist" Esperanza Spalding.