SELAH
SELAH MOONIE
FOUNDER, CEO, ARTIST
BACKGROUND
Selah Halie Simone Poitier is a multi-talented musician from Nassau, Bahamas. She started her journey as a church pianist in her childhood and quickly made a name for herself. At just 15, she received an apprentice scholarship to learn double bass and perform with The Bahamas National Symphony Orchestra.
Selah is both self-taught and formally trained on several instruments, including clarinet, piano, and electric bass. Her dedication and skill led her to The Government High School’s Magnet Performing Arts programme, a scholarship to The University of The Bahamas for music education, and a degree in Jazz performance from Berklee College of Music. She also studied Music Business at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, CA.
At 15, Selah produced her first song, “What’s Going Down,” which aired on national radio and earned her 3rd place in The Bahamas’ Junkanoo in June songwriting competition. In 2017, she won the songwriting competition by The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism alongside her family.
Selah Moonie is now a genre-bending artist known for her skills as a songwriter, arranger, producer, bandleader, and multi-instrumentalist. Her authenticity has earned her praise from Grammy Award-Winning Artists like India Arie, Dianne Reeves, Terri Lyne Carrington, and caught the attention of iconic funk pioneer, Bootsy Collins. Most notably, Selah has graced the stages of renowned venues across the U.S. as a member of the Berklee orchestra, headlined at Martha's Vineyard, performed at global music & jazz festivals, and opened for Rock & Roll Hall of Famers George Clinton & The Parliament Funkadelic as a bandleader and artist. Her unique artistry and inspiring journey have been highlighted in several global music magazines.
EDUCATION (A STORY OF RESILIENCE)
Selah is a driven musician whose journey to success is marked by resilience and determination. After the untimely passing of her mentor, Denis Donaldson, co-founder of The Bahamas Symphony Orchestra, and amidst a backdrop where local musicians struggled to thrive, Selah set her sights on her dream school, Berklee College of Music in Boston.
As a teen single mom, her path was fraught with obstacles. On her first attempt, she lacked the funds for travel. The second attempt saw her ready with a ticket, only to be turned away due to airline regulations concerning her double bass. Undeterred, she saved diligently and finally secured a rental bass for her third attempt, successfully auditioning and earning a scholarship, thanks in part to the support of local businessman Dionisio D’Aguilar.
At Berklee, Selah excelled, completing her degree in under two and a half years by taking on an intense course load while balancing her responsibilities as a mother. She often recalls the challenging commutes through snow and subways with her instruments, experiences that deepened her understanding of the dedication required to succeed in the music industry. Selah’s story is a testament to her passion and commitment to her craft.
Berklee Bass professor Lincoln Goines believed in Selah’s unique talent and pushed her to be the best bassist she could be. John Lockwood told her she had the "X-Factor," and she could become a top bass player if she remain focused. Under the guidance of Berklee Professor Bill Banfield, she discovered a passion for Bahamian history and ethnomusicology, drawing parallels to the pioneering spirit of Zora Neale Hurston. Selah also credits her dear friend and fellow Berklee alumnus, Chuks Okpu, for helping her uncover and embrace her distinctive sound as an artist.
A STORY OF TRIUMPH.
Selah inItially planned to build her career in the U.S., but faced visa issues that forced her to return home, leaving behind opportunities with American TV shows like American Idol, The Four, Songland, and Emmy-Award winning Boston Musicals. Undeterred, she continued to travel and perform globally, self-funding her artistic endeavours.
In 2020, Selah made a brief move to Los Angeles to study music business at Hollywood’s Musicians Institute and intern at a major record label while supporting her son’s aspirations as a touring musician. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to unforeseen challenges, including homelessness due to the sudden border closure in her home country of The Bahamas.
Resilient and resourceful as always, Selah regrouped in 2022 by forming her band, The Liberation Village, and launched Poitier Entertainment to manage both her band and her son. The entertainment company now has over 10 services. Last year, she took a significant step in her career by launching and signing herself to "Halie Moon Records," marking her entry into independent music production in the U.S. Selah Moonie didn’t stop there. She launched her first eco-friendly online merch store showcasing over 20 original designs. This venture supported her debut song release and showed commitment to environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.
Selah's musical roots are complemented by a rich family background—her father a pastor, singer, folk and gospel guitarist, and her mother, a civil servant and choir director. Influenced by icons such as Nina Simone, Prince, Bob Marley, and Tony McKay, Selah draws inspiration from various genres. Her bass style is inspired by Bootsy Collins, Marcus Miller, and John Patitucci, and her singing by Dianne Reeves. Selah aspires to collaborate with celebrated artists like Jon Batiste, PJ Morton, the legendary Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, and Beyoncé. With her authenticity and unwavering spirit, Selah is bound to be a force and a success in the music industry.
SIMON
SIMON FRANK
SAXOPHONIST FOR THE LIBERATION VILLAGE
A classical music scholar in clarinet, piano and tuba from an early age, Simon played and sang in dozens of concerts throughout London before switching to tenor saxophone and jazz aged 16. As a member of the University College London Big Band, Simon played with Mark d’Inverno and others, touring Eastern Europe in 1992.
Simon moved to The Bahamas in 2003, and had a brief stint with the Henry Moss Big Band before playing in various reggae, soul and jazz outfits. He has been playing with the Village Band since 2021, and currently co-manages the band as they expand into new musical horizons and venues.
He coaches swimming at all levels and ages as a director of swimming at a major resort community in New Providence and speaks 6 languages.
CYRANOKEYS
CYRIL THOMPSON
SOLO ARTIST & KEYBOARDIST FOR THE VILLAGE BAND.
Our very own Cyril Thompson not only got accepted into Berklee College of Music but also got awarded a scholarship to attend!
Cyril Thompson, also known as “Cyrano Keys,” studied piano with Dr. Paul Jones and Min Rager of McGill University in Canada and has taken lessons with Renowned Bahamian Organist Preston Ferguson. Inspired by the works of Oscar Peterson, Cyril has received the highest ABRSM score in the country for practical piano. He has built up a loyal following of people worldwide studying his viral online jazz transcriptions. Cyril is a sought-after jazz pianist, organist, and keyboardist extraordinaire with an extensive background in classical, gospel, pop, experimental music, and more.
A former Music performance major, Cyril has dreams of becoming a Film Composer and Recording Artist and is well on his way to becoming a household name in the world of music!
Cyril has worked with Berklee Alumna Selah Moonie, Master Bahamian percussionist Zaavan “Bird” Colebrooke, and 13-year-old Drum prodigy Kaleb Poitier. He has contributed to the fingerprint sound of The Village Band and is a PROUD solo artist represented by Poitier Entertainment Management.
BIRD
ZAAVAN COLEBROOKE
solo drummer & PERCUSSIONIST FOR THE VILLAGE BAND.
Zaavan Colebrooke, also known as “BIRD,” and our generation’s “Peanuts Taylor” is a professional drummer and master percussionist. Zaavan studied at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and became the FIRST person in Bahamian history to graduate from The University of The Bahamas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music as a Percussion Major.
He has studied under the late master drummer Howard Bethel Sr. and world-renowned Bahamian percussionist, drummer, and recording engineer legend Neil Symonette. Bird has a distinct sound forged out of his diverse background in Junkanoo, classical, jazz, gospel, Cuban, African, and Bahamian rhythms, and other popular styles of music.
Though only in his 20’s, Bird is already a respected music instructor and seasoned performer, having performed in Shakespeare in Paradise with the Nassau Music Society, Rhythm “N” Youth, the Jazz cats, and more. His goal is to be a Concert percussionist!
Bird is also a proud percussion mentor and volunteer in The Bahamas All-Stars and Rhythm "N" Youth Bands.
BEANIEBOY DRUMMER
KALEB POITIER
SOLO ARTIST & DRUMMER FOR THE VILLAGE BAND.
Kaleb grew up in a musical family and started drumming when he was just 2 years old. By the time he turned 6, he successfully completed an ear-training test at Berklee. At 11, his drumming videos caught the attention of the world renowned percussionist Sheila E., who shared them with her audience. In 2017, Kaleb and his family won The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Song Competition.
He has learned from skilled instructors like Master percussionist Mr. Neil Symonette. His mother, Selah ‘Moonie’ Poitier, a Berklee graduate, has been a guiding force in his music journey. She always reminded him that if he wanted to succeed, he needed to aim for excellence. She helped him learn to read music, transcribe songs, and took him along to her gigs at churches and local venues. When Kaleb was six, she even brought him to her classes at Berklee, and at 13, he officially joined the Liberation Village.
Kaleb dreams of excelling in all types of music and becoming a professional drummer and touring musician. Recently, he made it to the finals of the Nassau Music Society’s high school drum-off competition and represented The Bahamas in an international drum contest in Poland, where he faced drummers of many ages.
At 15, he is a performing musician, producer, soccer player, and gamer. He is also involved in the Boys Brigade and plays for his school’s soccer team, enjoying basketball and technology in his spare time. In the summer of 2023, Kaleb received a full tuition scholarship from Windsor Albany School and the Music Academy. He continues to bring pride to his family, band, and country.
ChUkS OkPU
