Lady Blackbird

Marley Munroe, known professionally as Lady Blackbird, was born on January 18, 1985, in Farmington, New Mexico. Her early musical experiences involved singing the national anthem at local basketball games and performing in church, encouraged by her parents. By the age of 12, she signed with a Christian record label based in Nashville, leading to collaborations with the rap-rock crossover group DC Talk. This contract lasted until she was 18, but by 16, Munroe realized her path diverged from Christian music. She transitioned to working as an independent musician, touring with TobyMac of DC Talk and performing sessions in New York City and Los Angeles. During this period, she collaborated with notable artists and producers such as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Sam Watters, Tricky Stewart, and Louis Biancaniello.

In 2013, Munroe signed with Epic Records, releasing two pop-soul singles. However, creative differences regarding musical direction, as Epic sought a more R&B sound, led to her departure. She continued to work in the industry, writing and providing backing vocals for other artists, including Anastacia’s 2014 single “Staring at the Sun.” A significant turning point occurred as she began collaborating with Grammy-nominated producer Chris Seefried in his Los Angeles studio. Their experimentation with jazz ballads led to the recording of an original song, “Nobody’s Sweetheart,” and an interpretation of Nina Simone’s 1966 song “Blackbird.” The performance of “Blackbird,” featuring a cappella vocals with music built around her voice, inspired her to adopt the stage name Lady Blackbird.

The single “Blackbird” was released in May 2020. This release, coinciding with the Black Lives Matter movement, brought her mainstream critical attention. She signed with BMG Rights Management in July 2021. Her debut album, “Black Acid Soul,” a collaboration with Seefried, was released on September 3, 2021, and was met with critical acclaim, including a five-star review in The Guardian. The album peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and reached number one on the Official Jazz chart. Lady Blackbird received the 2022 International Jazz Act of the Year at the Jazz FM Awards. Her second album, “Slang Spirituals,” was released in September 2024. She continues to perform on television shows and at festivals, and has collaborated with artists like Moby and Trevor Horn.