Tonye Aganaba

Background: Tonye Aganaba is a dynamic and sultry R&B singer-songwriter/guitarist born in London, England to a Nigerian father, and Zimbabwean mother. Now based in beautiful Vancouver B.C, her musical education came from her family's extensive music collection. It was within this catalog of classics that Tonye found some of her biggest influences - Michael Jackson, Sade, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Paul Simon..the list goes on. Growing up she received formal training in dance, theatre and music and would stay involved in her local arts community until her graduation from high school. It was under the tutelage of late vocal coach, Keith Allan Hall, ( most famed for singing with such notable acts as Sammy Davis Jr, and Mahalia Jackson) that Tonye's voice truly began to flourish. After attending the University of Victoria's Phoenix Theater to study acting, Tonye moved to Vancouver, BC and began her journey as a professional musician. She has leant her unique and rhythmic guitar stylings to some of Vancouver's finest artists including Heatwave and Lamar Ashe of Killawatt Records ( with whom she opened for Talib Kweli), Sharon Bryson and Soul2Life, and most recently with the new project MF RAW! As a vocalist she has graced such stages as The Vogue Theater, The Roxy, and The Historic Yale Pub and Shambhala. She continues to grow as an artist, and has upcoming shows in California, Beirut (Lebanon), and beyond! Tonye recently released her debut music video, "MAKE IT HAPPEN" which was made in collaboration with Save the Children's Every One campaign! For more information on Save The Children and what YOU can do to help, please go to their website www.everyone.org Tonye has penned an impressive collection of soulful ballads and funky feel good tracks that tell stories of love, loss, and laughter. Tonye's vivacious and colourful personality shines through in her music, which like her is unique and original! Look out for her debut album, due in 2011!!!

Interests: Music, but more specifically singing/guitar. Dance/Theatre

Goals: To use my visibility as an artist to help my family, friends and fellow human beings!