ZAKIYA HOOKER & OLLAN CHRISTOPHER BELL
On this episode of Big Blend Radio, R&B/blues/jazz artist Zakiya Hooker, and vocalist/producer Ollan Christopher Bell (aka Chris James), talk about their music careers and latest music projects. Listen to their interview here in the YouTube player or download the podcast on Podbean or SoundCloud.
Zakiya Hooker was born in the Motor City – Detroit, Michigan – but she was also born into the blues. You could even say she had a front-row seat to the best the genre had to offer, right in her own living room – her dad was the renowned blues giant, John Lee Hooker. The blues has literally been with her from birth. Zakiya was privileged to see and hear some of the greats that shaped the history of the Blues, as we know it. To be the daughter of a living legend is a major obstacle; to choose to follow in his footsteps is a major undertaking. But rather than relying on her father, Zakiya has pursued life, and music, on her own terms, overcoming personal tragedy and skepticism along the way. But you know what they say: “The fruit never falls too far from the tree.” Zakiya’s latest album is “Legacy.” More: https://www.zakiyahooker.com/
Ollan Christopher Bell is happily married to Zakiya. In addition to producing all of Zakiya’s albums, he also produced the final John Lee Hooker CD “Face to Face.” In addition, James is also the president and co-owner of the John Lee Hooker Boom Boom Recording Studio in Douglasville, Georgia. Ollan was the co-founder of the 70’s hit making soul group The Natural Four, and author of the memoir “Music Saved My Life, From Darkness Into The Light, My Life As A 70’s R&B/Soul Singer” that takes the reader between the notes as he navigates his troubles while rubbing shoulders with some of R&B’s greatest legends, including Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone and Isaac Hayes. Ollan has performed and shared the stage with legendary artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire, The Temptations, Kool and the Gang, the Isley Brothers and his former producer Curtis Mayfield. With more than 200 songs composed and distributed on various albums throughout the world, his discography is more than impressive. More: https://www.chrisjames-naturalfour.com/
