By Miriam Stansbury
Jacksonville native Akia Uwanda has taken her rich, expressive voice from Northeast Florida to stages around the world, but the First Coast remains at the heart of her music.
A classically trained vocalist, songwriter, actress and producer, Uwanda moves smoothly among jazz, soul, gospel, blues, funk and R&B. Her remarkable range extends from low alto to high soprano, giving her the versatility to make a familiar standard feel entirely new. If performing an intimate ballad or an energetic soul number, she knows how to engage an audience and bring a song to life.
Uwanda introduced her debut album, Lift, at the 2017 Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The recording blends original compositions with enduring favorites such as “Autumn Leaves” and “Motherless Child,” creating an inspirational musical trek. Her career has since taken her to Carnegie Hall and international destinations including Italy, Dubai and South Korea. Along the way, she has opened for Earth, Wind & Fire and Avery Sunshine and shared stages with acclaimed jazz artists Gregory Porter and Kamasi Washington.
Despite those far-reaching accomplishments, Uwanda continues to bring her music home. In 2026, she presented her 15th annual Valentine Jazz & Soul Dinner Party in Jacksonville and performed at St. Augustine’s Romanza Festivale and Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center. Her Lincolnville appearances are especially fitting, pairing her contemporary artistry with one of the region’s most important centers of African American history and culture.
For Uwanda, music is more than entertainment. It is a way to celebrate heritage, lift spirits and bring people together. Her performances invite listeners to relax, lean in and enjoy music.
Keep an eye out for Akia Uwanda’s upcoming performance dates, because she delivers bold sounds and entertainment you don’t want to miss!
Follow Akia Uwanda Entertainer on Facebook and @akiauwanda on Instagram for announcements, music and more.
