With Tanya Michelle
For this week’s Hot Seat, Out N About sat down with Tanya Michelle, a well-known musician here in St. Maarten-St. Martin. She tells us all about her career, experiences, philosophies and what she loves about St. Maarten-St. Martin.
1: Tell us, Tanya: Where were you born, and what languages do you speak?
I was born in Toronto, Canada, and my origins are from Jamaica. I speak English and French and some Italian.
2: How would you describe your music style?
My style is jazzy, soulful and funky!
3: How did you get started in the music industry?
I started singing from the age of five and started gigs as a musician at 17 years old. I went to Berklee College of Music as a Performance major at age 19.
4: Why did you choose a career in music?
I saw early on that I was excelling in music and with that, many offers and propositions provided me opportunities to continue exploring music as a career. I made the decision to quit my day job and do music fulltime after getting into the band that performed for the wedding of Stevie Wonder’s daughter, Aisha. Getting to perform with him and for him and his family, I spoke to him briefly and he gave me a sweet compliment that he was enjoying my singing. This was like a sign from God and the universe that I was following the right path for me to do music full time.
5: What do you love about working in the music industry and nightlife scene here on the island?
I love the variety of people that come to see me – tourists and locals from both sides. I enjoy the atmosphere, the people listening as well as the party spirit of dancing and having a great time. I love the closeness to nature, the sea, the outdoorsy connection.
6: What organizations, groups, bands or other musicians do you work with?
I love working with Amin, the guitarist from “What the Funk Band” – actually, that’s the band I started with for “Church on Mondays” at Red Piano. They have taken on Shawn J at the moment as it was time for me to go to France for the summer. I continued to play with them every so often when I was back on the island, like when we performed several times in the Heineken Regatta. Even though I’m not fulltime with them, I love the musicians like drummer Nikita, or bassist Cornelius (Buff) and Shawn Wilkinson on keys, as well as musicians like Alfredo Costa, Wilky, Georgi, Ronny, Fats on trombone, Gordon Brandon on saxophone and Stephan on trumpet. I’ve played with the band called “The Squall Band” – I adore these French guys and wish the best for them as well as all the others I mentioned that I’ve worked with.
7: Tell us a bit more about your experience in this creative profession.
I enjoy the opportunities to sing in Europe as well as in the Caribbean, as that allows me to make folks feel good. I also like to collaborate internationally on projects, such as the one I am currently in with the group “Change”; I like the vocal coach singers, who ask me for guidance; and I like that I get to travel for festivals with other artistes.
8: Can you tell us about some of the international artistes you’ve been able to perform alongside?
I work with a group in Paris called “Electro Deluxe”, a trumpet player named Phil Lassiter, the group “Change” that I mentioned earlier, as well as various DJs including Joey Negro.
9: What are your other interests outside of music?
I am a spiritual seeker. I enjoy personal development and learning how to be a better version of myself.
I also love scuba diving, but I don’t get to do it often.
10: Do you have an upcoming album releases?
Yes, I do – with the group Change. We have a new album that will come out in all platforms on May 23. The Album is called “Embrace.” It is produced by Stefano Colombo and other founders Mauro Malavasi and original members Davide Romani.
11: What is your favourite place on the island for a meal?
I have a bunch that I love: Sunset Café in Petite Plage, Grand-Case; I recently ate at La Belle Epoque in Marigot, which was amazing; I love Mezza Luna in Nettle Bay; Zee Best for breakfast brunch all day in Simpson Bay; and Pollos Hermanos for any day. I also love poke bowls, so my go-to places are Lulu’s Corner in Cul de Sac and Mood in Grand Case.
12: What makes St. Maarten magical to you?
The energy is so “home” feeling; the energy of the people who live here as well as the returning tourists who come out and show love and support; the international mixture of folks – not just tourists, but the cultural mix of the locals is part of what gives the island a beautiful diversity.
13: What are your travel plans for this year – 2025?
I’ll be in Paris performing, as well as in Switzerland and places like Marrakech for performances, and I will visit my family in Toronto, Canada, this summer.
14: Is there anything else you want fans and new followers to know?
Well, I do perform on Thursdays at Huppel the Pub from 8:00 to 11:00pm; Mondays and Wednesdays, at The Hole in the Wall from 9:00pm till midnight; alternating Fridays at Grumpy’s in Philipsburg from 7:30 to 9:30pm and the other Fridays are at BZH in Oyster Pond from 7:00 to 10:00pm; and Saturdays are at Saint Maarten Yacht Club from 6:00 to 9:00pm. This Sunday will be one of the two last afternoon shows at Tropics in Grand Case from 3:00 to 6:00pm – the last one being on May 11. I truly love my schedule, because I get to interact with the different scenes and places all over the island.
Music available at music.apple.com / www.beatport.com / open.spotify.com
