ABOUT SYLVIA TELLA
Manchester meet Naija – Naija meet Manchester. This is Sylvia Tella
From the age of 7 hearing music from their cellar Sylvia began singing with her father and his band experiencing and listening to the world flavours of music. They sang in the university and that is when the seed was planted. She wanted to sing and was pushed by friends and the community into the Russell Club who were putting on a local talent competition organised by their own black DJ – John D from Manchester Piccadilly Radio. Sylvia won at 13 years.
She then formed her own band Samakunda at 14 years gigging at youth centres, church halls and local pubs. Sylvia then joined the group The Stimulators, otherwise known as Harlem Spirit, a set of local musicians from her hometown Hulme doing bigger gigs in the community. Sylvia then went on to join another group The Romantics from Chorley, Lancashire. A family of brothers whose father was the manager and they recorded some original music and started doing shows all over the North of England.
Sylvia’s agile musical ability has seen her perform across the genres of pop, rock, soul, RnB, garage, jazz, drum ‘n base (the pre-cursor to rap, grime, drill), afrobeats and all categories of reggae, notably Lovers Rock the ‘darling’ of her musical career.
In this age of ‘technology’ it’s quite easy to see this independent phenomenal “Majesty of Reggae” across Google, You Tube, Facebook and the like. You can find even more back catalogue with CDs and downloads available on her website, SylviaTella.com where you will be able to experience her musical travels, collaborations, mixes and blends of her music as well as interacting and joining with thousands of her fans enjoying songs from Sylvia’s vast performance collection.
Sylvia writes, and writes and writes be it from the heart or observation of personal and shared experiences about things that affect us personally, intimately and collectively in communities in countries worldwide. The Highs - the Lows and Everything between.
With a strong belief in the power of God and his teachings and lifelong quest to unite and love Sylvia is blessed to be relevant and relatable in 2020 within the media and music industry and specifically the Reggae Music Industry. Reggae continues to impact music the world over as its rhythms and beats resonates with an ever-growing audience as its vibes runs through the veins of all popular music genres today.
During lockdown in 2020 Sylvia has written, recorded, published an album, shot a socially distanced video outside in the Manchester area, joined with fellow Reggae Artists over Zoom to heighten the recognition of their contribution and demand earned recognition across mainstream radio and television programming throughout the year, every year. There are many stories to be told.
The new album “An Audience with Sylvia Tella” is available now, published by Trinity Connections. Enjoy your journey with Sylvia Tella as she continues to turnup creatively sharing her unique crafts.
TIMELINE
Dicovered by Boney M in London, Age 15
The Romantics played in London where they performed at the renowned club in London for Celebrities, Gullivers. Sylvia was the Act the night Top of the Pops artists came in – Boney M Group, Smokey Robinson, Hot Chocolate, Brotherhood of Man. Frank Farian, a white German man was the mentor and producer of Boney M Group and he wanted Sylvia to join the group after he saw her perform.
At 15 and a half years Sylvia joined Boney M and that was the start of her International singing
career.
Touring Artist with Boney M - Backing Singer, Writer & Contributor, WORLDWIDE TOUR 1977 - 1982
Sylvia started touring with Boney M all around the world. Not only was she singing as the backing band, Black Beauty Circus for Boney M as the warm up act before Boney M performed Sylvia also had her own show, when not performing for Boney M, as lead singer for the group out of the musicians.
1981 Sylvia toured Jamaica with Boney M performing the Boonoonoous Album, with I-trees (Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt), and Third World.
With backing band Black Beauty Circus of Boney M, Sylvia was a member of a group called Body Soul and Spirit and she sang the songs they wrote together.
Singer/Songwriter/ Recording Artist, 1981
When she was 18 Sylvia was introduced by Lascelles James, the Saxophone player for Boney M to the Jamaican International Reggae Producer, the late great Lloyd Chalmers who recorded her debut album Spell, on the Sarge label in 1981, the start of the Sylvia Tella Solo Journey in music.
In 1983 Sylvia provided backing vocals on the Alton Ellis album Daydreaming.
Sylvia also contributed to a charity record in aid of victims of Hurricane Gilbert released under the collective name Windjammer. Sylvia performed in Birmingham supporting Beres Hammond at the Aston Villa Stadium,
Birmingham.
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Record Label Owner | Artist | Boss S Records, 1985
Sylvia set up her own record label and released a string of hits including I Still Feel and He is My Baby. She was 23 years old.
Touring Artist with Bronski Beat, UK Tour, 1986
Sylvia performed all around the UK with Bronski Beat
Singer/ Songwriter/ Recording Artist, 1987
Sylvia recorded her second album Will You Still Want Me Sylvia performed with The Wailers and Augustus Pablo at the Amnesty International Festival
in Cote D’Ivoire.
Recording Artist with the Blow Monkeys 1989 - 1991
Sylvia recorded two hit songs with the Blow Monkeys : It’s Your Choice and Slaves No More, with accompanying videos. She toured Japan and all over Europe.
Sylvia provided lead vocals for 92°F on Pop Will Eat Itself's 1990 EP Very Metal Noise Pollution and subsequent album Cure for Sanity as well as other UK bands.
1993
Sylvia Tella and long time friend, Sonia Caesar, set up Trinity Connections
occupying office space in Perivale London.
