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Sky Covington was the winner of the "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist"
honor at the 2016
Detroit Music Awards. It is her 6th music award in the past 4
years. Sky's Jazzy sound
takes
audiences on an intriguing musical journey that provides
fascination for the ears.
Sky began her career performing in glee clubs from elementary to
junior high school. Her
music training came from noted saxophonist,
Scott Reiter, and from Harold Bowles, who
was a session musician for
Motown. She also received private drama training.
Sky was born in Detroit but relocated to Atlanta at the age of 16.
While there she
gazed upon the star lit sky overhead and was so inspired by it that
she made a bold
decision to drop her birth name, Nicole, in favor of “Sky” to
symbolize her life
philosophy: “No Limits”. It has been the driving force behind her
singing career.
At age 19 Sky moved to New Orleans, the city she says changed her
life. She became
fascinated with the rich music culture of the city and spent nine
years taking formal
vocal lessons, playing at clubs and working with every top musician
she could find who
could help her improve her craft. Then in 2005 her mom called and
asked her to come
back home to Detroit. Sadly, just 8 weeks later, Hurricane Katrina
devastated her
adopted city and took the lives of many of her friends. It affected
her profoundly.
SKY returned to Detroit to start yet another new chapter to her
life. Resettled and
refocused, Sky decided to head into the studio to synthesize all
that she learned in New
Orleans and blend it into a creative musical collection. After 6
months of work, she
released her first album, “Urban Fairy Tales”. Her music resonated
and soon she was
landing bookings at popular venues like Baker’s Keyboard Lounge,
Bert’s Motown
Room, The Jazz Club at Music Hall, and The Gem Theatre. Her fans follow
her wherever
she performs.
Sky’s growing popularity brought invitations to open for the likes of
Straight Ahead, Alberta Adams, The Original Vandellas, The Gene Dunlap
Trio, and even P Diddy. That was followed by a tour with Detroit House
Music superstar, Kenny “Moodymann” Dixon where she performed as House
diva, Nikki-O. Momentum was building.
Though primarily known for Jazz, Sky spans multiple music genres and
has multiple trademark looks. That variety combined with her
exceptional singing skills is the very thing that make her so
interesting and appealing. Sky Covington brings a rich palette of musical
colors and imagery to her audiences.
SKY Covington’s music career is fueled by a simple philosophy:
“Performance is everything. If you become the message that you are
relaying to your audience, they will never leave you.”
Sky's dedicated audiences show up regularly at Detroit hot
spots like Baker's Keyboard
Lounge, Harbor House, Bert’s Warehouse, and Gina's Jazz & Soul to hear
her sing Jazz
standards along with her original music.
In addition to performing, Sky is the president and founder of the “Hug
Detroit
Spirit
Awards” which honors people for their contributions to the
community. Each August, Sky
hosts a free riverfront community music
festival called “Hug Detroit” that brings out some
of the best singers
and musicians in Detroit. She is also the founder of the "Healing Song
Foundation".
Sky's recent awards include “Outstanding Jazz Vocalist” at The
Detroit Music Awards in
2016, a "Special Honoree" award in 2015, and "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist"
in 2014, 2013
and 2012. As a member of a group, Sky also received a
Detroit Music Award in the
category of “Outstanding
Jazz Group”. And she was named
Best Female Jazz Singer at
The Detroit Black Music Awards.
Over the course of her career, Sky has written numerous songs,
authored poetry works and performed a wide variety of music to show
her range and versatility. She has many dimensions and wide appeal.
She is an amazing vocalist, songwriter and a marvelous person.
SKY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES
International:
England, France, Germany, Italy,
Holland, Switzerland, Japan
National:
California, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, Illinois
Local:
The Detroit International Jazz
Festival, Bravo Bravo, Arts Beats & Eats, Detroit River Days, Jazz on
the River, Hug Detroit Summer Concert Series, Motown Winter Blast, Campus Martius Park, Grand Circus
Park, The Gem Theatre, Charles H. Wright Museum, The Jazz Club at Music Hall, Baker’s Keyboard
Lounge, Bert’s Motown Room, Harbor House, Jazz Katz, Rockefellers,
Scarab Club
Opening Act:
Straight Ahead, Alberta Adams, The Original Vandellas, The Gene Dunlap
Trio, P Diddy
Touring Act:
Kenny “Moodymann” Dixon
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