Mishka became interested in jazz at the age of 3 and her very first initiations into music were old songs, including those of Joni Mitchell, which she listened to as a child. She then began saxophone lessons at the age of 10 and by 14 she was singing jazz standards.
Whilst taking her A levels at King’s School in Canterbury she joined the school jazz band where she was associated with some of the rising young talents of the school. Having just hurdled her A levels in Canterbury, Mishka flew back to Manila after nine years of boarding school to continue her studies at the University of the Philippines – College of music – majoring in saxophone.
She was introduced for the first time on stage where she performed with the former first lady Amelita Ramos’ Executive Jazz Band at the ‘Coming Home’ Show, a benefit show for the Museum Foundation in Manila. Henceforth, she performed in many jazz venues & music festivals in Manila.
Mishka was invited as guest artist at a major event organized by the British Council (Manila) – a music spectacular ‘Jazz in Time’ featuring the UK jazz legend Courtney Pine and Cameron Pierre, one of Candid’s artists. Her impeccable rendition of Billie Holiday’s signature song ‘God Bless the Child’, earned this young talent the immediate admiration of the audience. A representative from CANDID Philippines office asked her for a demo which was immediately sent to Alan Bates in London for approval. In barely two weeks, she was signed up and given a budget for a new recording.
Mishka’s new album highlights her individual approach to standards, incorporating world music and African-reggae inspired beats into her originals. Mishka’s charismatic innocence is put to good use in her repertoire ranging from classics like Change Partners and Autumn Leaves to her originals Where do we Begin? and War of the Skies.
Mama's Garden
Mishka Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To find the sea air
Carry me to a place that i've never been
They say that I never met you
But how could I forget you
Smiling at me
It was my dream that gave me vision
I've found you in a garden
Waiting silently for me
Smiling at me
Something familiar in your eyes that told me
You knew me
And you could see me
There is a flame that flickers for you
(...) To spirit you have build in me
One day we'll be together
And I found you in that garden
Still smiling at me
Something familiar in your eyes that told me
You knew me
And you could see me
Something familiar in your eyes that told me
You knew me
And you could see me
Ooh.
The song "Mama's Garden" by Mishka Adams starts off with a beautiful imagery of flying, urging the listener to open their wings and find the sea air to take them to a new place. The singer talks about a person, most likely their mother, who they have never met. However, they cannot forget this person, who appears to them in their dreams. The dream gives them vision and they realize that this person will come to visit them.
As the singer reflects on the dream, they discover that they have found this person in a garden, waiting for them patiently. The person smiles at the singer as if they have known each other forever. This familiarity is overwhelming for the singer, and they feel like this person can see them truly.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "something familiar in your eyes that told me you knew me and you could see me" twice, emphasizing the strong connection that the singer feels towards the person in the dream. The song ends with the singer hoping for a future together and finding peace in the fact that this person is still smiling at them.
Overall, "Mama's Garden" is a song about a dream that brings a sense of familiarity and comfort to the singer, even though they have never met the person in real life. The dream reassures them that this person will come to visit them and that they will be together one day.
Line by Line Meaning
Open your wings
Spread your wings metaphorically to explore new possibilities
To find the sea air
To seek freedom and freshness
Carry me to a place that i've never been
To show me new experiences and broaden my horizons
They say that I never met you
There are people who doubt our connection
But how could I forget you
But I know deep inside that I have a strong bond with you
Smiling at me
You always bring joy to my life
It was my dream that gave me vision
I had a dream that helped me see you clearly
I realised that you would come to visit me
I knew that you would find a way to reach out to me
I've found you in a garden
I discovered you in a peaceful and beautiful place
Waiting silently for me
You patiently waited for me to find you
Something familiar in your eyes that told me
I felt a sense of familiarity and recognition when I looked into your eyes
You knew me
You understand me and my true self
And you could see me
You can see beyond my actions and truly understand my soul
There is a flame that flickers for you
There is a strong passion burning inside me for you
(...) To spirit you have build in me
It's because of your influence that I have developed a strong spirit within me
One day we'll be together
Someday, we will reunite and be together again
Still smiling at me
Even after all this time, you still bring me joy and happiness
Ooh.
An expression of emotion and appreciation for the relationship
Contributed by Hannah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.