Ilhem Khodja

About me:

Maybe it was fate, after all. Named ‘god’s inspiration’ by her doting parents, this inspired and inspiring talent seemed destined to spread her creative wings and take her talents to the world. From the moves of ballet to moving sounds, Ilhem Khodja had just reached her teens in France where she grew up, when she was discovered by the Grande Dame of jazz, Elene Dee. Amazed by the deep, soulful voice of this pint-sized miracle, Dee took Ilhem under her wings and on to the stages of Lyon, Paris and New York when her curly-haired charge was a mere 12 years old. With plenty of discipline and determination, the young singer volunteered for the school of hard knocks, for six years of intensive jazz and gospel training, until she felt ready to take her now finely honed talents to the international stage. Born to a German/Hungarian mother and an Algerian father, Ilhem Khodja’s background, temperament and music unveils an equally vibrant mix of Central European cool and North African spice. Coupled with plenty of sass, cheek and charisma her smooth, buttery, yet powerful voice soon earned her a name as a vocal coach and – lest we forget – professional singer for large events and clients around the world. Berlin, Barcelona, Istanbul, Dubai, Rome, Shanghai – you name it, she’s wowed the crowds. Stunningly beautiful and expressive, she also graced the occasional catwalk. But Ilhem is far more than just a pretty face – with a healthy dose of respect for the business, she soon became a true performer, an old-school diva without the obligatory airs and graces. Now flitting between Berlin, London, Istanbul and wherever else her calling might take her, she finds herself fluent in a ‘mere’ four languages (French, German, English and Spanish), yet remains down to earth and firmly rooted in her quest for making the most of her eclectic talents and passions. A considered aesthete, she travels the world with an open eye for inspiration, but also injustice, for differences and diversity. In this, Ilhem is far more than the sum of her parts – and so is her music. After plenty of collaborations with DJs, songwriters and producers around the world as well as several record deal offers, Ilhem decided to go it her own and pour her heart and soul into her debut. The result promises to be a powerful distillate of soul, groove, jazz and oriental sounds, of everything that makes her what she is: beautiful, sassy, powerful, multi-faceted and - simply irresistible.

08 What's Going On by ilhem
http://soundcloud.com/ilhem/08-whats-going-on

08 What's Going On  by  ilhem

Live @ Verve Club Preview by ilhem
http://soundcloud.com/ilhem/live-verve-club-previe...

Live @ Verve Club Preview  by  ilhem

Live-Try A Little Tenderness by ilhem
http://soundcloud.com/ilhem/live-try-a-little-tend...

Live-Try A Little Tenderness  by  ilhem

Live-And the Melody still lingers on (Night in tunisia) by ilhem
http://soundcloud.com/ilhem/live-and-the-melody-st...

Live-And the Melody still lingers on (Night in tunisia)  by  ilhem