HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (TENNESSEE VALLEY LIVING) -
On this edition of ‘Sounds of the Valley,’ the latest cohort of Heard First Huntsville—a local non-profit artist development program that works with local musicians- is in the spotlight. The group of four is making history as Heard First Huntsville’s first all-female cohort!
The leading ladies of the Amethyst cohort include singers Zami Maré, Jazz McKenzie, Meme B. Jones, and DJ Lisha!
Zami Maré is not new to Heard First Huntsville or ‘Sounds of the Valley.’ She was featured in 2024 and shared her full journey through the entertainment world as a singer and actress, and her experience with Heard First Huntsville.
Maré says being a part of this new cohort is a fresh start for her after stepping away from the spotlight for some time to focus on life off the stage. She says recent life events will serve as inspiration behind her new projects.
ADVERTISEMENT
“...Something that I have noticed about myself is that I have not tapped into this other side of me - like pain and hurt and just being vulnerable and being transparent. So, I think that’s gonna come out of my music in the future.”
— Zami Maré
You can stream current music from Zami Maré on Apple Music and Spotify!
There are three newcomers making their Heard First Huntsville debuts!
Jazz McKenzie is a soul singer who has performed around the Tennessee Valley for several years now, even sharing the stage with some bigger artists like Chrisette Michele, Cupid, Doug E. Fresh, Adia, and more!
She originally began as a cover artist, but now she’s looking forward to creating her own original songs. McKenzie says she grew up in a musical family, so it was no surprise that she followed her passion to perform. While making her dreams become reality, she says that the most important message she wants to convey to audiences is that you can live in your truth and be good to people, no matter where you are on your journey in life.
“...You can still walk in integrity. You can still operate in love. You can still be a good person. You don’t have to become everything that the world wants to make you to be."
— Jazz McKenzie
Another new addition to the Heard First Huntsville family is singer Meme B. Jones. She’s a native New Yorker turned Southerner who’s had her share of trials and triumphs over the years, navigating the music scene. Jones has some major accomplishments under her belt, like winning over the notoriously tough crowd of Showtime at the Apollo in Harlem, New York, and opening for some big-name R&B acts like Tank. Her raw talent and getting the chance to showcase have given her some major highs, but she also battled major lows throughout her journey.
ADVERTISEMENT
As she pursued her music career, her life away from the stage fell into darkness. Jones is a mother and survivor of domestic violence. She spoke candidly about how meeting the founder of ‘Heard First Huntsville’, Sharona Henderson, helped pull her up from a dark place. Now, she’s found a new light amongst her peers in the Amethyst cohort. She says she’s putting all those emotions into her upcoming projects.
“...I feel like the things that I went through was definitely meant to be because it’s my story and I get to sing about my story”
— Meme B. Jones
You can also stream Meme B. Jones’ songs on Apple Music and Spotify!
The fourth and final Amethyst cohort member is DJ Lisha--- also known around the area as ‘The Sanging DJ’! She’s also a transplant from up North who’s now growing her musical roots here in the Rocket City. DJ Lisha says she wants to add flair from her hometown to North Alabama.
“I’m from Chicago. So, I’ve been here about 15 years, but the type of music that I was raised on is a little different from the South. So, I find myself like wanting to tap into that music that I loved and I was brought up on..."
— DJ Lisha
She also talked about her experience as a woman in the DJing world, which is a predominantly male field. What started as a hobby quickly turned into her claim to fame around our area. Then, adding to the fact that she is also a singer, as well, DJ Lisha is proving herself to be quite the well-rounded local entertainer.
Aside from her work on the 1’s and 2’s and on the mic, DJ Lisha is also a local advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She is the founder of Queer Space Huntsville ---a group that serves as a safe space for all and coordinates inclusive events around our area.
Like pieces to a puzzle, each woman fits into the Heard First Huntsville program in their own, unique way. Different backgrounds and different styles are all coming together to create one cohesive picture of musical excellence.
You can keep up with Zami Maré, Jazz McKenzie, Meme B. Jones, and DJ Lisha by following them on their respective Instagrams and other social media platforms. You can also follow Heard First Huntsville to stay up to date with their journeys!
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter!
Copyright 2025 WAFF. All rights reserved.