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.
Marrakech
Mishka Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm both lost and found, never been there before
A ritual disgrace, Marrakech adventure
That familiar sound, explains what I'm feeling
I'm both lost and found, never been there before
I'm both lost and found, never been there before
A ritual disgrace, Marrakech adventure
A ritual disgrace, Marrakech adventure
A ritual disgrace, Marrakech adventure
A ritual disgrace, Marrakech adventure
Don't tell me how I've even came to get here
Mysterious, everything I hold dear
The lyrics to Mishka Adams's song "Marrakech" express the singer's sense of being lost and found in an unfamiliar place. The "familiar sound" she refers to might be the call to prayer, a muezzin's wail in the distance, or the exotic music found on the streets of Marrakech. The repetition of this phrase, "that familiar sound, explains what I'm feeling", underscores the importance of sound in the singer's journey. She's both lost and found, experiencing a mix of emotions that come with exploring a new place for the first time.
The line "a ritual disgrace, Marrakech adventure" might be interpreted as a celebration of the city's contradictions. Marrakech is a place where indulgence and excess are intertwined with piety and devotion. The singer seems to embrace this complexity, acknowledging that there are aspects of the city that might be seen as disgraceful but also recognizing the adventure and excitement that comes with exploring a place that isn't like any other.
In the final lines of the song, the singer acknowledges that she doesn't know how she ended up in Marrakech, but that she values the mystery and the sense of wonder that comes with being in an unfamiliar place. The song captures the thrill of exploration, the joy of being lost in a strange city, and the deep connection between sound and emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
That familiar sound, explains what I'm feeling
The sound of Marrakech creates an indescribable feeling within me.
I'm both lost and found, never been there before
Although I am new to Marrakech, I feel both lost and found at the same time.
A ritual disgrace, Marrakech adventure
My adventure in Marrakech is full of surprises and goes against the norm.
Don't tell me how I've even came to get here
I am here in Marrakech without explanation or understanding of how I ended up here.
Mysterious, everything I hold dear
There is an air of mystery and intrigue around everything that is important to me in Marrakech.
Contributed by Keira G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.