Maiya Sykes is a Voice contestant(probably 2014) singing The Etta James-Lauren Hill Mashup. In this Mashup with her is Ben Folds….
Sykes is a backup singer whose mother also served as a singer for Earth Wind & Fire, Neil Diamond and Meat Loaf. Her father plays saxophone and also sings. She is also a vocal producer. She counts Stevie Wonder as an influence and also sang at his birthday party.
Sykes’ voice caught the ear of all four judges and received a standing ovation from Pharrell during her audition. “Do I get a bit of Aretha? Yes. Do I get a bit of Gladys Knight? Yes. But I am so interested in who you are personally and that’s the story I want to amplify,” he said.More at source
Benjamin Scott Folds (born September 12, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, composer and record producer. From 1993 to 2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the band disbanded, Folds has recorded several albums and performed live as a solo artist, with the exception of a brief Ben Folds Five reunion in 2011 in which they recorded the album The Sound of the Life of the Mind. He has also collaborated with musicians such as William Shatner, Regina Spektor, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and yMusic and undertaken experimental songwriting projects with authors such as Nick Hornby and Neil Gaiman.
He has frequently performed arrangements of his music with uncommon instrumentation, including symphony orchestras and a capella groups. In addition to contributing music to the soundtracks of the animated films Over the Hedge, and Hoodwinked!, Folds has produced several albums, including Amanda Palmer’s first solo album. benfoldsdotcom
CREDITS
Lead vocal: Maiya Sykes
Piano/tambourine: Ben Folds
Keys: Jack Conte
Guitar: Ryan Lerman
Drums: Tamir Barzilay
Bass: Joe Ayoub
Lauryn Hill would be thrilled.
I think so too!
I must tell you, Lauryn Hill is still one of my most favorite popular music artists from that era – from her work with the Fugees and ‘Miseducation’ – just outstanding work. Her voice had great depth and she made a melody come alive, even when the lyric wasn’t particularly special, which is the mark of a great artist.
She does some great covers and has a huge, strong family too.