Kaiya Gamble is a Canadian soulful pop singer and songwriter from Calgary, Alberta, notably recognized as a contestant on American Idol Season 22. She is one of two Canadians to receive a golden ticket and the first Albertan in the history of the show. [1][2]
Career
editGamble has been performing since the age of nine years old. Her debut single, “Speak Out,” placed Top 3 in the 2021 International Women’s Freedom Song Contest and was nominated for Pop Single of the Year at the 2021 YYC Music Awards. She was also nominated for the Prophets of Music Emerging Artist of the Year at the YYC Music Awards that same year.[3]
In 2021, Gamble was featured on a billboard in Times Square and received a 4-page feature in the Amazon bestselling book, ‘Women of Inspiration, Women Driving Change.’
Gamble went on to release “I’m In It,” “Sweet Talker,” and “Polaroids,” all produced by CCMA and JUNO award-winning producers, Spencer Cheyne and Justin Kudding from Invoke Music.
She won the American Songwriter 2023 Song Contest (Teen Category) for her single “Sweet Talker”[4] and in 2024 she won the Massey Hall Youth Musician Commission’s Song Contest for “Polaroids.”
Philanthropy
editGamble frequently performs in support of many charitable causes, including a monthly virtual performance for the cancer ward in the Sydney Children's Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Gamble’s charitable commitment led her to be the first ever Canadian recipient of the Women of Inspiration Youth Excellence award in 2019.
In 2021, Gamble created and produced ‘Kaiya Live,’[5] a free online benefit concert benefitting three organizations: CINIM (Alberta), Wickfest (International), and A Sound Life (Australia). The event featured international artists Lenka and Edo Kahn
Discography
editSingles
edit| Year | Single |
|---|---|
| 2020 | "Speak Out" |
| 2021 | "I'm In It" |
| 2022 | "Sweet Talker" |
| 2023 | "What A Wonderful World - Live Acoustic" (cover) |
| 2023 | "Polaroids" |
Music videos
edit| Year | Single | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | "Speak Out" | Oliver Banyard |
| 2022 | "I'm In It" | Oliver Banyard |
| 2022 | "Sweet Talker" | Julianna Procyshen |
| 2023 | "What A Wonderful World - Live Acoustic" | Chris Grey |
| 2023 | "Polaroids" | Addie Robertson |
References
edit- ^ "17-year-old singer/songwriter from Calgary wows American Idol judges". Global News. March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Calgary teen singer gets American Idol golden ticket". Calgary Herald. March 27, 2024.
- ^ "2021 YYCMA Nominees". YYCMA Calgary's Music Awards. July 20, 2021.
- ^ "American Songwriter 2023 Song Contest Winners Announced". American Songwriter. April 10, 2024.
- ^ "Young singer brings positivity during the pandemic". CTV News. November 21, 2021.