Aja Kim

Infobox musical artist
Name = Aja Kim


Img_capt = Aja Kim performing as Bruce 'LEE' Chickinson
Background = solo_singer
Origin =
Alias =
Instrument =
Genre = Heavy Metal
Hard rock
Rock
Blues
R&B/Soul
Tribute
Occupation = Vocalist
Songwriter
Musician
Years_active = 1990s—Present
Associated_acts = Clarence Clemons
Bruce Conte
Aja Kim Project
The Iron Maidens
Wilma Palma e Vampiros
Carlos Guitarlos
URL = [http://www.myspace.com/ajakimmusic www.myspace.com/ajakimmusic]

Aja Kim is an American female singer and songwriter.

Biography

Born in Fayetteville, NC, and raised in Philadelphia, PA [ [http://www.maggiepowell.net/index.php?s=news&p=BLOG&m=33&print= Maggie Powell Blog - Aja Kim] ] Aja Kim first came to public attention when she collaborated with rock and roll saxophonist, Clarence Clemons (who is best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band) on the 1995 Japan-only CD release "Aja and the Big Man - Get It On". Three songs she co-wrote were her solo vocal contributions to the CD, along with a duet with Clarence of the Ike & Tina Turner classic "Baby, Get It On." She was prominently featured alongside Mr. Clemons on the cover of the release. [Japan Times Dec. 1995 'Tokyo Takes Note by Peter Serafin'] . Subsequently, they performed as "Clarence Clemons and Aja" at various venues and festivals in the U.S. on both the East and West Coast, as well as at a pre-Winter Olympic celebration held in the Olympic Village in Utah in late 1996.

She continued to work as a freelance session vocalist and voice over actor throughout the late '90s and early '00s on radio and television commercials and sang on CD releases by both major label and independent artists, including the comeback CD, "Straight from the Heart", of former Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs member, Carlos Guitarlos, where she held the distinction of being the only woman on the recording. During this time, she also toured in both the United States and South America with a diverse collection of artists ranging from former Tower of Power guitarist, Bruce Conte, to South American rock superstars Wilma Palma e Vampiros before independently releasing her first solo CD, "Modern Babylon" (which also features Ambrosia founding member, drummer Burleigh Drummond).

In early 2004, Ms. Kim joined the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens, who had been holding auditions for a new lead vocalist following the departure of member Jenny Warren. She made her onstage debut with the Maidens at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, CA, on May 28, 2004. [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/148174-yessss-maidens-galaxy.html The Iron Maidens Forums - YESSSS!!! Maidens at the GALAXY!!!] ] In addition, she surprised the band, management and fans by recording all of her lead and background vocal tracks for the Maidens' in a span of less than three days. [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/283203-studio-time-2.html#post5985864 The Iron Maidens Forums - Studio Time!] ] She received a "Rockie" that year for "Best Female Vocalist" from The Rock City News Awards .

Aja Kim is a black belt, trained in the Shotokan style of karate. Because of her martial arts skills and Asian heritage, she personalized the original stage moniker for her character, "Bruce Chickinson," (a word play on Iron Maiden lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson) to Bruce 'Lee' Chickinson, thus adding a lighthearted nod of recognition to legendary martial artist and actor, Bruce Lee. She often jokingly performed a front kick towards the audience when introducing herself onstage. She even impressed Bruce Dickinson himself, who, when asked about Ms. Kim portraying his female counterpart, was quoted on the June 2008 issue of "Metal Hammer" magazine as saying, "It's really one of those odd existential self-analysis questions. Essentially, would I fuck myself? Well, the ego is willing even if the body isn't." [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/iron-maidens/405459-bruce-steve-talk-about-maidens-months-metal-hammer.html The Iron Maidens Forums - Bruce & Steve Talk about the Maidens in This Month's Metal Hammer] ]

In July 1, 2008, Ms. Kim announced in her fan newsletter, "Adventures in Ajaland", her departure from the Iron Maidens to resume her solo recording and writing career. This was subsequently reported, along with news of her songwriting collaboration with Motörhead guitarist, Phil Campbell, on Blabbermouth.net. [ [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=100225 Blabbermouth.net - Former THE IRON MAIDENS Singer Collaborating With MOTÖRHEAD's PHIL CAMPBELL - July 3, 2008] ]

Discography

* "Aja and The Big Man - Get It On" (Clarence Clemons) (1995)
* "Straight from the Heart" (Carlos Guitarlos) (2003) - "Ain't That Loving You" (with Mike Watt) [ [http://www.carlosguitarlos.com/ Carlos Guitarlos.com - Straight from the Heart] ]
* "Shades Of Blue" (Bruce Conte) (2004) [ [http://www.strokeland.com/StrokelandFamily/BruceConte/ShadesOfBlue/ShadesOfBlue.htm Strokeland Records - Bruce Conte] ]
* "Modern Babylon" (Aja Kim(2005)
* "" (The Iron Maidens) (2005/2006)
* "Route 666" (The Iron Maidens) (2007)
* "The Root of All Evil" (The Iron Maidens) (2008)

Media

Aja Kim has been featured, both as a solo artist and with The Iron Maidens, in "The Los Angeles Times" [Los Angeles Times June 1996 'Big Man's New Road Leads To Aja' by Mike Boehm] , "Guitar World", "Metal Hammer", "Hammerworld" (Hungary) [Hammerworld May 2008 'Review of Modern Babylon by Gyorgy Danev'] , "Metal Edge", "Kerrang", "The Japan Times" [Japan Times Dec. 1995 'Tokyo Takes Note by Peter Serafin'] , "Gibson Lifestyle", "FHM", "Maxim", "Music Connection Magazine", Japan's "Burn Magazine", Korea's "Hot Music Magazine", "The OC Register", "Salt Lake City Weekly", "Phoenix New Times", "Houston Press", "Spokane 7", "Fairbanks Daily News", "Anchorage Daily News", as well as on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", KCAL's "9 on the Town" (L.A.) [ [http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2008656 The Iron Maidens on '9 on the Town'] ] , KDBC 4 News (El Paso, TX) and 97.1 KLSX-FM's "The Two Media Whores w/ David Adelson & Conway and Whitman" (L.A.) [ [http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=23768772 The Iron Maidens on 97.1 KLSX] ] .

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/ajakimmusic Aja Kim Official MySpace Site]
* [http://www.clarenceclemons.com/ Clarence Clemons Official Website]