(R&B,Funk,Swing) Marva Hicks - Marva Hicks - 1991, MP3, 320

Marva Hicks is an accomplished and versatile performing artist. Born in Petersburg, Virginia, she grew up singing in the church founded by her grandfather, Rev. E. E. Hicks, where she remembers being a shy singer in the children’s choir.
Winning a local teen contest would expose her to the Broadway Stage and lead to a career in the Performing Arts. She had her first record deal while still a student as Howard University, where she earned her BFA, cum laude. After graduation she moved to New York and was cast in her first Broadway show, LENA HORNE: THE LADY AND HER MUSIC.
Marva worked with Ms. Horne for two and a half years then moved to Los Angeles, after being signed to her second record deal. At Polygram Records, Marva recorded her eponymous CD, which yielded the Top 10 R&B single, NEVER BEEN IN LOVE BEFORE.
During this period in Los Angeles she landed several recurring roles on the TV shows, L.A. LAW, STAR TREK: VOYAGER and MAD ABOUT YOU.
Marva was introduced to Stevie Wonder and subsequently, travelled the world with him as a backing vocalist. Her reputation was growing quickly, thus having her called to work with Whitney Houston, James Ingram, and Michael Jackson for the HiSTORY Tour.
Earning the role of Jacarra Principle on the ABC Daytime Soap Opera, ONE LIFE TO LIVE brought Marva back to the East Coast, and closer to her love for the theatre. She wasted no time and was the recipient of the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in the blues musical THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.
Since returning to New York, she has added THE LION KING, in the role of Rafiki, and CAROLINE OR CHANGE, in the role of The Radio, to her Broadway credits. She was directed by Tony Award winner, Ruben Santiago Hudson, in the Off-Broadway production of THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER at the Signature Theatre.
Nationally, Marva appeared in the world premiere production of THE WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE, in the role of Etta Mae for which she received Atlanta’s Suzi Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. In a rare Jazz and Blues adaptation of PORGY AND BESS, she played the role of Bess and received the B. Iden Payne Award in Austin, TX.
Having appeared in five productions at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, including CROWNS, Charles Randolph Wright’s CUTTIN’ UP and most recently SOPHISTICATED LADIES, starring Broadway legend, Maurice Hines, she is currently commissioned by Arena Stage to create and star in a solo musical piece about her journey in show business as a woman of faith.
Her film credits include, ASSUNDER, starring Blair Underwood and VIRTUOSITY, starring Denzel Washington and the star studded film, PREACHIN’ TO THE CHOIR. As a gospel singer, Marva is a featured vocalist on the Broadway Inspirational Voices Choir’s Christmas CD, GREAT JOY.
The Christian Cultural Center, under the leadership of Pastor A.R. Bernard, and Elder Karen Bernard is her church home.