Marcella Simien taking stage with legendary father at Festival International

Seth Linscombe
·1 min read
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LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – A soulful voice and eclectic style has had Marcella Simien captivating audiences around the world.

Born into a family deeply rooted in Louisiana’s vibrant music scene, Marcella Simien’s journey in music was fate. As the daughter of two-time Grammy winner Terrance Simien, she was surrounded by the sounds of blues, Cajun, zydeco, and gospel music growing up. A visit from David Hidalgo to her family home or being sung “Happy Birthday” by Taj Mahal were commonplace. She developed a deep appreciation for diverse musical traditions that laid the foundation for her distinctive style, which seamlessly merges elements from multiple genres.

Festival International generates fun, and nearly $50 million for area economy

Simien holds a degree from Memphis College of Art and planted her seeds of South Louisiana heritage in Bluff City, TN. She founded and serves as bandleader in Marcella & Her Lovers, a hybrid of Memphis soul and New Orleans funk.

Throughout her career, Simien has graced stages at renowned venues and festivals from Louisiana to Tennessee and places in between, most recently debuts in New York City and London. She was 1 of only 500 artists in America nominated for a $50,000 USA Artists Fellowship and lent vocals to her father, Terrance Simein, for his album Dockside Sessions, which won the 2014 Grammy for Best Regional Roots Album.

Simien will be taking the stage, with her father, on Scene Laborde Earles Law Firm Fais Do Do at Festival International on Saturday, April 27 starting at 4 p.m.

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