Skip to content
Amikaeyla Gaston
Amikaeyla Gaston

Amikaeyla is an amazing vocalist and percussionist who comes from the Washington DC area. She has studied, recorded with, and shared the stage with many award winning artists, including Take 6, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Baba Olatunji, Mickey Hart, Gil Scott Heron, Wyclef, Ubaka Hill, Ferron, Vicki Randle, Linda Tillery, Chris Williamson, and Pete Seeger.

Proclaimed as one of the “purest contemporary voices…” by National Public Radio, powerhouse Amikaeyla embraces the best of many types of music: from Bel Canto, Funk & Bossa Nova to Blues, Sacred Chanting and Soul, Afro-Cuban and Jazz.

Before moving to the SF Bay area in 2007 Amikaeyla recorded her debut album Mosaic (2004), which received national acclaim, and earned her eight Washington Area Music Association Awards, or Wammys, including Best Jazz Vocalist, Best Jazz Recording, Best Urban Contemporary Vocalist, Best World Music Vocalist, Best World Music Recording, and Best Debut Album. Amikaeyla was named DC’s best female composer in 2006 & 2008, and was also honored with first prize for Best World Music Composition from the 2010-2011 Maryland State Arts Council.

She has also performed in many off-broadway music theater productions and has also produced, written, and directed for several theater companies.  Her continued work in Radio, TV, & Film has lead to appearances on PBS HBO & at The Sundance Film Festival.

Her albums include:

Lush; Live from the Kennedy Center; Uncertain Odyssey; and Songs & Stories of the journey of a Refugee.  Her latest album, Being In Love, was released in 2012 to critical acclaim.

Amikaeyla is a dynamic performer with heart, soul, international appeal, and is sure to inspire.

Born To Drum 2014 Faculty Bios, Born To Drum 2016 Faculty Bios, Born To Drum 2018 Faculty Bios, Faculty