Z STAR

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"Considered the new star of nu soul jazz globally" (Rockshock), Z-STAR (aka Michelle Z Nichol) was twice signed to majors internationally (EMI, A&M), achieved a global following with her electro-soul project SLOWTRAINSOUL with music featured on hit TV series: Californication, Six Feet Under, Ugly Betty, CSI:Miami etc. and selling in excess of 2.5m through compilation album sales.

Admired by many major musical heavyweights, writing/recording for, performing and jamming with artists such as George Benson, John McLaughlin, Terry Callier, Omar, Meshell Ndegecello, Bluey, Sinead O'Connor, Keziah Jones to name a few, including Max Sedgely, Sunlight Square and Matthew Herbert in the UK specifically. Z* is "a mesmerising live performer" (Time FM) whose dynamic stage shows have led her to major festivals (Glastonbury, WOMAD..), TV and concert venues (Albert Hall, NY Radio City Hall..) across Europe, America and Russia.

Recently winning "Best Live Act 2010" (with the prestigious Brighton Music Awards), a born performer, to see Z* live is a deeply moving experience. She is the ringmaster, conducting the energy onstage and offstage effortlessly. It can be as still as a slow burning candle or as explosive as a Molotov. Always spontaneous, her shows are never the same - profoundly magical and very entertaining. "Magnetism, energy and spontaneity enable her to establish a tremendous relationsihp with her audience" (L'Espresso).

Musically, Z-STAR is hard to box; mixing soul, rock, astral blues, jazz, roots and reggae - "the result is fantastic and wonderfully unclassifiable" (Il Venerdi). In fact, Z-STAR describes herself and her music as: “a sonic pelau, because I feel like that dangerous lover in the blues, the profound zenwarrior in jazz, the revolutionary rock soul sistah, the high priestess of voodoo funk, acoustic at my core and roots in my blood”.

Born in East London to Trindadian parents, Z-STAR has now returned to her country of birth to present her first UK debut 'Masochists and Martyrs'- self produced and self released on her own label, Muthastar Records. An uplifting, yet profound and deeply intimate journey into the artist's experience of love and loss, illustrating how relationships can reveal the masochist and martyr within us - dedicated to her late mother "Schultzi" this is now available on itunes.

"Tree of Life "

"Trouble Woman"

"Venus Blues"