Donna Marie

Donna Marie



Donna Marie has been the UK’s leading female reggae singer for nearly two decades. She was raised in Santa Cruz in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica and started singing in her local choir from the age of nine. Had she stayed on the island, there’s little doubt she would be more widely celebrated by now. Instead, she came to England where, she was soon starring on the Reggae/Gospel circuit…. Sydney Crooks of the Pioneers produced her debut single in 1989, a cover of the theme tune from the Australian television series ‘Prisoner Cell Block H’. This was a useful introduction to the music industry. Success came a little later after Donna had joined forces with Jeff Peart of Londisc Records who produced her hit versions of Whitney Houston’s ‘My Love Is Your Love’ and Celine Dion’s ‘Think Twice’. Both were big sellers during the late ‘90s. With think twice being top 10 in Canada and brazil



The new millennium saw Donna sign with Jet Star’s Charm label. Her arrival gifted the camp a singer blessed with clear, melodious vocals and one who would prove marvellously versatile after recording a variety of different musical styles - Reggae, Pop, R&B, Gospel and Lovers Rock. It was her two songs on Jet Star’s ‘Pop Hits Inna Reggae Vol. 1’ (‘What Can I Do’ and ‘All I Have’) and her debut set ‘Can’t Stop Loving You’ that got the ball rolling and the effect on mainstream Reggae audiences was immediate. These songs, together with ‘Master Plan’ from her Gospel album ‘Now Is the Time’, were the ones that really made things happen for Donna. Here was a singer who could breathe fresh life into familiar material even whilst writing memorable songs of her own. By now, she was connecting with audiences from around the world including the Caribbean, South and Central America.



The reception from crowds in Brazil where, she sang in front of thousands of people was a special milestone. So too was her appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in London where, she sang lead with an 1100-strong voices in support during a live recording of ‘I Gospel’. That was in 2006. Since then she has recorded for the Joe Fraser label in Florida and added to the tally of well-known Reggae stars she’s performed with including Bunny Wailer, Ken Boothe, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Luciano, the Mighty Diamonds, Tarrus Riley and Screwdriver. Restlessly creative as ever, Donna has completed her latest album ‘Next Chapter’, co- produced by fellow UK Reggae singer Lloyd Brown.



It’s this new set that best underlines her status as British Reggae’s leading female artist and her qualities as a songwriter. Songs like ‘Love Triangle’, ‘I Wish’, ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ and ‘Just One Night’ tell of the intricacies of love and describe situations that other people will immediately relate to. That’s the hallmark of any great lyricist but, the two cover versions are also superb. ‘I’ll Be Around’ is an Otis Gayle standard that’s beautifully re-interpreted by Donna and Peter Spence whilst ‘Stick with U’ is a female ‘piece de resistance’ originally recorded by the Pussycat Dolls. The lady has taste, that much is clear but, it’s her own material that stands out and transforms this album into another unique musical journey. The track ‘I Wanna Thank You’ has a funky, dancehall feel whilst ‘Let the Children Sing’ is an anthem of a different kind and fully deserving of a wider audience. Lastly and in a nod to her Jamaican roots, ‘Many Miles Away’ and ‘Hold You Close’ are both cuts to popular Rock steady hits. Neither is alone in illustrating how Donna can effortlessly take her place among the classics even whilst contributing more of her own written works.

Donna was awarded a Reggae Heritage award this year as an ambassador of the reggae culture. 2009 is Donna’s 20th Anniversary in reggae.



Donna Marie in Brazil



Bless The Lord (Live)



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