Najwa Parkins is a Philadelphia-based vocalist, educator, and songwriter/composer. Her voice has often been described as smooth, smoky, and soulful— with a profound range of emotion. With a B.M. In Jazz Studies and Vocal Performance from Temple University, Najwa specializes in performing and teaching within the jazz idiom, but is a multi-disciplinary vocalist, seamlessly transitioning between many genres including blues, RnB, pop, and folk styles (and for those who still need this credential, yes, she has undergone many years—before, during, and after college—of classical training). Najwa has been praised for her lyrically and musically engaging compositions. True to the spirit of multi-potentiality, Najwa also has a background as a dancer and a competitive gymnast, and can also be seen performing in the Philadelphia are as an aerialist from time.

Najwa is a first generation American, born to Jamaican parents. As a young child, she made the commute from the Poconos to New York City with her parents every morning on their way to work. In the car, they listened to American music of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s as well as the ska, reggae, and dub of Jamaica. At home her three older brothers were actively listening to the hip-hop of the day, making their own beats, and writing rhymes. As a result, Najwa’s creative taste is as eclectic and varied as her upbringing. Her musical journey formally began at 9 years old, when she started studying guitar privately and playing trombone in the elementary school band.

At 13 years old, Najwa attended a show led by her (late) trombone teacher (and proud New Orleans native) Alex Watkins, featuring jazz vocalist and electric bassist, Nancy Reed. She immediately recognized a kindred spirit and fell in love with Nancy’s voice. Najwa soon began studying voice and electric bass with Nancy, and at 14 years old, she was performing in jazz groups at various local venues, for public and private events. Najwa will always credit Nancy as the reason she became a jazz vocalist, and remains close with her today. Through Nancy, she also met Bob Dorough and was subsequently mentored in songwriting by him— Najwa also remained close with Bob until his passing in 2018.

Najwa graduated from Temple University with a B.M. in Jazz Studies and Vocal Performance, where she studied jazz voice with Philadelphia’s own Joanna Pascale and Carla Cook, studied trombone with Luis Bonilla, and studied classical voice with Dr. Julie Snyder. As a trombonist and vocalist for the Temple University Big Band — under the direction of Terell Stafford— Najwa performed at various prestigious venues and festivals and shared the stage with artists including Benny Golson, Nicholas Payton, Branford Marsalis, Karin Allyson, Dena DeRose, and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, After graduating from Temple, Najwa released her self-produced debut album, “Not the Next Someone Else” in 2011. Najwa was a member of Phil Woods and the Festival Orchestra— Performing as both a vocalist and trombonist. She is also the featured vocalist on the 2013 release, New Celebration, by Phil Woods and the Festival Orchestra. Deer Head Inn Records produced a live recording of a 2014 performance at the Deer Head Inn, featuring Najwa and saxophonist, Larry McKenna.

Najwa has performed in various schools, performance venues, and festivals in the United States and Europe including the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena, The New Brunswick Jazz Project performance series, The Kimmel Center, ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, Musikfest, the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Hague Jazz Festival, The COTA Jazz Festival, Rockwood Music Hall, the Barnes Foundation, the Deer Head Inn, The Jazz Bridge Neighborhood Concert Series, The African American Museum in Philadelphia, the Twin City Opera House, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Academy of Music, and Historic Hotel Bethlehem.

She leads several of her own bands and projects in the Philadelphia area, to support the multi-dimensional nature of her vocal stylings and musical interests. Najwa also works as a featured vocalist with groups led by friends and colleagues, including the South Philly Big Band. As a recovering perfectionist, Najwa cannot tell you precisely when to expect releases of new music, but has several projects and recordings in the works that she aims to release in the near future. As an artist and performer, she believes in the importance of connecting with audiences by telling stories through music. She draws on life experiences in writing her own music and lyrics as well as in her interpretation of the music and lyrics of others.

" Najwa Parkins is not only a very talented vocalist/musician, but she is to be admired for her devotion to excellence. While working with her, the first thing I was struck by was the maturity in her interpretations of The Great American Songbook. She has obviously done her homework. Oh, and she swings, too."  -Larry McKenna

“Najwa Parkins has long been an integral part of our Pocono musical family. She recorded on our newest CD, "Celebration 2" as a player and singer. And when we need to help a community member she is always there. A great musician and stalwart citizen. I sleep a little better knowing she is on the cutting edge of our musical future." -Phil Woods

"Najwa is a refreshing new voice --a little smooth, a little edgy and a whole lotta smoky-- she brings her own special take to familiar jazz standards. With sweetness...and sass. Ms Parkins also delivers wonderfully crafted, original tunes that are smart, insightful and sometimes even amusing."  -The New Brunswick Jazz Project

"I had to see where this big voice was coming from-- and you're not bigger than a minute!" -Woman at a gig