Aziza: Composer, pianist, poetess, singer and music educator, formerly known as Linda Williams Aziza was born and raised in New York City. She started playing piano at 8 years of age and began composing music while attending The High School Of Music and Art and
The Manhattan School Of Music. She has a Master's degree in music education and a Bachelor's degree in music theory.
She taught music in the New York City Public Schools system for approximately 16 years. She also taught at the The Professional Performing Arts School where Alicia Keys was one of her music student for 3 years. In 1997, Aziza received The Presidential
Scholar Distinguished Teacher Award from President Bill Clinton.
Aziza's most popular and internationally acclaimed song to date is "La Costa". Natalie Cole recorded it during the time when Aziza ( Linda Williams) was her music director and pianist and since then, it has been re-recorded by such artists as Ahmad Jamal,
Jorge Dalto, Bill Perkins, Phil Upchurch and the list goes on. Aziza recorded 2 of her own arrangements of La Costa on her Jazzsoetry CD. She has also collaborated, written lyrics and recorded with Jazz piano greats Ahmad Jamal and Ray Bryant.
Aziza and her band perform in and outside of the U.S. and she is the designated keyboard sub for Shelton Becton in Oprah Winfrey's Broadway hit musical The Color Purple.
