Moment of Truth by Temika Moore

B King, grandmom’s Mahalia Jackson and Shirley Caesar 8-tracks and her aunt’s Clark Sisters and Hawkins Family albums. Growing up in a home with a southern-bred grandmother, it’s probably expected that most singers sung their first measure in somebody’s choir or gospel group. Well, you’re right. Temika’s no different in that respect. However, the realization that she could actually sing is the revelation.

Temika had her first solo at the age at 9 when the Baptist church she attended in North Philadelphia decided to start a children’s choir. The choir’s first public performance featured Temika’s rendition of the famous gospel hymn, Jesus Loves Me as sung by Whitney Houston in the Body Guard. After receiving a standing ovation and a request to perform in the church’s newly formed gospel ensemble, little did Temika know this would be the first of many experiences in her journey to become a performing artist and songwriter.

Temika was the youngest member of an all-adult Philadelphia quintet named, Rejoice. The group toured various churches performing and building a following. After the sudden illness and death of one of the group’s members, along with creative differences, the group disbanded. Meanwhile, as Temika started to become of age, and her musical interests became more diverse, she was making plans to hone her craft. Temika notes, “When you’re in church, everyone will tell you “sing baby...Amen, that girl has a voice” when their caught up in the moment. But the test is when you can go back and listen to a recording of that so-called awesome earth-shattering performance and still embrace what you heard with the same passion. You really have to know that you have what it takes.”

Temika made the decision to apply for acceptance into the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) where she attended with fellow industry classmates, Boyz II Men, Amel Larreuix, Fatin Danzler (Kindred), Black Thought and ?uest Love (the Roots), Mark Nelson (Az Yet), Lizz Fields and Christian McBride to name a few. While attending CAPA, Temika was afforded the opportunity to perform for many prestigious events as part of the CAPA Concert Choir. She has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra under director, Riccardo Mutti, Philadelphia Pops Orchestra under the direction of Peter Nero performed with the All-City Choir, Mayoral Inauguration of Ed Rendell, ABC Thanksgiving Day Parades, and a host of other notable venues. Temika was classically trained under the direction of the late David King and J.Donald Dumpson. Also, she was invited to join an all-female vocal quintet, initially named Collage formed by Michael McCary of Boyz II Men. At the time, the group was also being sought after by industry legend, Teddy Pendergrass. However, neither arrangement came to fruition. Feeling the affects of disappointment of a dream deferred and nearing graduation, Temika had to make a decision about her life-to pursue music or forgo the dream and go to college. The decision was made, and Temika decided to leave the group to attend college. Meanwhile, Temika graduated 13th in her graduating class with honors and was voted “Best Vocalist” that year with acceptance into the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).

Temika initially applied to UMES as a Sociology/Pre-law major with intentions of becoming an entertainment attorney. However, as with any true musician, the call of music is always on your life no matter where you go, or how far you try to run from it. One day Temika walked into the Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center on campus and headed directly for the piano room and started to sing. The director of the performing arts department, Dr. Gerald Johnson came into the room and asked who she was. The director smiled and said “I think we just found our first Ella Fitzgerald Scholarship recipient.” This was extremely timely and nothing but heavenly favor for Temika as she was still trying to find a way to finance her college education even at that moment. Temika was awarded and became the first recipient of the Ella Fitzgerald Music Scholarship. This propelled Temika back into the musical life she left behind in Philadelphia. At UMES, Temika learned to develop her sound and was introduced to jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaugh and Carmen McCrae by jazz ensemble director and Trumpeter, Dr. Richard Lamkin. Temika states “I enjoyed exploring music in a setting that was free of the traditional classical vocal instruction where vocal coaches only respect one genre of music and all others be damned. I was free to show expression, make faces, and it was okay to work the often awkward transition between head and chest voice in my own way.” After four years of study in preparation for the “real world,” Temika graduated Magna Cum Laude and was recognized as the University’s Most Outstanding Graduate armed with nothing more than faith and a tenacious will to succeed.

After attempts to pursue a “stable career” in the corporate sector with ever-present threats of lay-offs, disclosed and undisclosed racism, learning to navigate the stifling nature of corporate culture, along with the pressures of managing a busy performance schedule, Temika gave up her spiritual fight and decided to follow the musical calling on her life where she has performed as the opening act or has shared the stage with Cassandra Wilson, Roy Ayers, Marcus Johnson, Allyson Williams, Tony Terry, Selena Johnson, Melba Moore, Jean Carne and Jennifer Holiday. Shortly after leaving her position in a prestigious Washington, DC law firm, she decided to record her debut album, Moment of Truth. Frustrated with the process of trying to secure producers and writers on a shoe string budget and finding the right material for the project, Temika picked up her laptop and started writing. “Moment of Truth was birthed out of my journey to find my way,” says Temika. “There were a lot of personal struggles that were going on in my life at the time. I felt very strongly that there was more to life than what I had experienced.”

Temika Moore is among the many that have chosen to take the road more big label artists want to travel by becoming an independent warrior who writes manufactures, promotes and markets their music. Temika heads up Moore II Come Entertainment, the umbrella company handling many of the business aspects for Temika Moore, along with Pink Panna Music which serves as the publishing company for Temika Moore’s music. Temika is determined to continue to make music that is free from exploitation, political restraint and corporate control. “I can work a 9-5 with a steady paycheck if I want to be controlled and restrained, says the outspoken Temika Moore. If God gives us free will, who is another human being to impose their will for my life?”

To hear and purchase music, see photos, inquire about bookings, or to simply say hello, please visit www.temikamoore.com

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