My guest is Habaka, the 2019 Black Music Award recipient of 'Best Performer', jazz, Las Vegas.  She is also known as the Panther of Cremona.  It was unavoidable, following in the family’s footsteps as a singer/songwriter. The family’s heritage is steeped in music. Her grandfather Jeri Jackson was a pianist and promoter, grand mother Irene Jackson a dancer and her mother Mary Ann Jackson a dancer and jazz vocalist. Her own father Melvin Jackson was band leader to Bobby Bluebland for 10 years and saxophonist to BB King for more than a decade. Music was in her blood.

Her early life was spent on tour with a cabaret and aged 11 her mother declined an invitation for her child to join the legendary Alvin Ailey Dance troupe and at the age of 13 Habaka spent three years in a psychiatric hospital; a major turning point in her life and faith.

Find out how this talented musician over came the feeling that she was ‘singing the devil’s music’ to now appreciating how the music she sings, has a message and how her faith, discovered aged 7, has never failed her.