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| Louisiana Mojo Queen (Ms Zeno)....is the stage name of Verlinda Zeno,
a well known professional club, studio and Blues Singer. After performing all over the world being managed by others she branched out on her own. Being a Louisiana native. Ms Zeno has recorded six CD's over the past ten years. Recording Live in Verona, Italy with well know Italian Band "Morblues". She has also recorded an all orignal CD named "Old Family Recipe". If you take the time to listen to her robust voice you will easily under- stand why this young lady is destined to become a legend in the blues industry. Ms Zeno's down -to- earth personality has won the hearts and minds of thousands of audiences and probably millions of people. While technically an alto her range spans to gamut from contralto to bass and soprano. She effort- lessly blends this vast range with real soulful feelings and warmth. Zeno has time and time captured her audience's full and undivided attention with no more than a fling of her long streaming thick hair ( which is sometimes blond and fairly unusual on a black blues singer ). Her gold post, hoop earrings or a diamond through her nose glitter fascinate and attract every available eye. Sultry and seductively Ms Zeno always gives her audiences their monies worth. Amazingly, she always leaves them howling for more. Slowly she weaves an inescapable web and entices the listener into her world from which there is no escape. These are the characteristic ingredients of the consummate performance. Tourist traveling from other states as well as from other countries can be seen asking directions to Ms Zeno's act. She has a show- stopping performance and a friendly and easy stage manner that makes listening to her tales a grand time every time. "My family says I could sing before I could talk," she says, as a start to her musical background. From there she relates a fairly usual tale of church choirs and garage bands and so on. To become better educated about her vocal gift and to strenthen and hone her technique she attended Northwestern State University. She knew deep down inside that remarkable gift would make her financially successful and eventually take her all the way to the top. Thinking back, her professional 1st gig ( a gig that really pays money) was the Louisiana Hayride at the Round Robin Country Jam. She also has a natural gift for Country that is startling to uninitiated. This is especially true she solo's and adds a bit of that down home pump to the corn pone. Even her harshest critics recognize that she is truly an amazing lady that has a multitude ot talents. Give her a Microphone and five minutes and she'll rock your world. " MS ZENO GOT HER MOJO WORKING" Ms Zeno has worked professionally on many various projects and demos, and she has garnered a professional reputation through excellence and quality work with other professional artist. She made her bones for hard work, touring and showbiz during her tenure with Little Milton and became a Pro. "Make your audience and fans feel special; it does not matter how good you are, what hole you can fill, or what ideas you can bring to the stage with- out the support of people you're nothing. Singers come a dime a dozen, but everybody loves an entertainer. That's my philosophy. Everyone I've worked with can tell you that I can wake up the dead when I hit the stage. This is the thing that gives me the most pride in professionalism. Ms Zeno has extensive performances scheduled for 'LA. MOJO QUEEN, MS ZENO BAND and MS ZENO'S DUO'. These are two popular ensembles. She's worked with Ms Zeno & The SKYDOGS which recorded two CD's, MS ZENO & HER MOJO BAND they recorded one CD and MS ZENO & THE WHITE GUY which is a duo they re- corded one CD. Creativity: She has become an excellent songwriter, lyricist and choreo- graphs all of her own shows. Everyday she expands her talent and repertoire. Special Guest: B B King, Issac Hayes, Woody Harelson, Courtney Love, Travis Tritt, Lou Diamond Phillips are naming only a few special guest in the audience at 'Ms Zeno' show. Photos are deplayed on her website. Show Openings: Ms Zeno has opened shows for Leon Russell, Edgar Winter, Omar & the Howlers, (late) Lil Milton, Bo Diddley, Lynn White, Ann Pebbles, Otis Clay, Bobby Rush, (late) Rufus Thomas, the late Ollie Nightengale, (late) Albert King and many more. Features: Ms Zeno the La. Mojo Queen has been fearured in Northwest Airlines Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, vacation magazine. Media Coverage: Ms Zeno has received local, national and international media coverage from programs like the NBC's Nightly News with Tom Brochoff, Japan Worlds Games and Good Morning America. Newspaper: The Washington Post, The Commerical Appeal, Dallas Times, Memphis Flyer and many other throughout the nation. Movies: Ms Zeno appeared in the movie ' Innerstate' and sang her orignal song 'Love Denied' which is linked to her website. Festivals: Memphis In May, The Moore Blues Festival in Brussels Belgium, and Italy festivals. VERLINDA KERTRIA ZENO Biographical Sketch Historical Born the third of eight children September 24th of 1962 Verlinda kertria Zeno felt the need to sing. Her first musical expressions began at the tender age of 6 when she performed for her mother, her father, seven sisters and brothers and fifteen uncles and aunts. They all acknowledged then that she had talent, promise and a great career ahead of her. Little did they know then how right they were. Verlinda came by her talent honestly. Her grandfather 'Forest Zeno' was legendary in the Cane River area of Louisiana for his soulful guitar playing and vocal accompaniments. Her mother 'Effie Lee Zeno' was also well known for her singing and had sung with and to Verlinda when she was just a small child. Ms Zeno's brother, 'Franklin' taught himself to play bass guitar and would get her to sing with him, she was 8 and he was 9. Franklin started his own band 'Special Touch' and had Verlinda singing lead. Little did he know this was the beginning of her singing career. Today'Franklin' is a well known minister and master of music for a local congregation in Louisiana. From family gatherings she went to church choirs and ultimately became a popular soloist at. She was at length in demand at many churches as well non-religious social functions. As her musical styling evolved and became more and more sophisticated she developed a fascination for the earthy tones, moded and rhythms of the genre known to all of us as "The Blues". This fascination was the result of deep emotional pulls in her life and it had brought her through numerous crisis, tragedy and struggles. Verlinda found a home in "The Blues" and ready acceptance from the local people and communities surrounding the river. Her sultry tones colored and painted pictures that the young and old alike could relate to. She brought forth from her deep inner-self strong rich expressive vocals that would move even the most hardened listener to joy or sadness and sometimes tears as she exposed these scars deeply repressed in her soul. For this she became known as 'The Louisiana Mojo Queen, Ms Zeno'. It was the only way that local people could describe the bedazzling of her audiences. The Break The Break didn't come easy. From a multitude of request to perform from groups of all shapes and sizes and many local nights clubs (ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous) she moved from job to job not knowing for sure if a change would ever come. When it was least expected the renowned Rhythm & Blues singer 'Lil Milton' had heard of her skill and brought to Memphis,Tn. Milton was so impressed with her delivery that he immediately began training the youthful prodigy to his act. 'The Angels'. She was an opening act and backup singer. He was not disappointed. Eventually it was time for this Angel to fly on her own. This diamond could not be hid. Others began to notice the rich feeling with which she expressed her song. Among these were several club owners who made overtures to book her as a solo act. The Memphis, 'Beale Street' owners won out and she began to make the rounds of the 'Beale Street' clubs for almost a decade. The late Albert King got her in 'B B Kings Club when it first opened. She was the female lead vocalist for the house band until management changed. Verlinda sang for festivals and celebrations and received prominent if not top bill in all of them including the famous 'Memphis in May' Today Today, Ms Zeno is the mother of two sons one name 'Patrick Jones' a 24 year old and the other 'Martel Zeno' a 18 year who is continuing the family legacy and performs along with his mother on special events. March 18th 2001, Ms zeno became a proud grandmother of 'Torrian Jones', son of her son 'Patrick Jones'. Ms Zeno makes her own dolls especially designed to duplicate her stage style. These are along with her CD'S,autographed photos and t-shirts at performance. She has six CD's behind her and a number of bands as she continues to improve her act. Ms Zeno has received national acclaim and been written about in many publications including the world famous 'U. S. News & World Report'. Singing in a number of foreign countries and has received accolades and recognition internationally. |
| www.mszeno.com |
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