Initially performing gospel music in Petersburg, Virginia, Marva Hicks later visited New York and found herself drawn to stage work, prompting her to enroll in acting courses in Washington, D.C. After laying down multiple demos she issued the single “Looking Over My Shoulder” on Infinity in 1981. Following the label’s collapse she spent nearly three years performing in Lena Horne’s Broadway production. While on a London tour she encountered Stevie Wonder, leading to mid-’80s road work with him and backing-vocal contributions to his album Characters. In the late ’80s she joined Polydor, releasing her self-titled debut LP Marva Hicks to favorable reviews in 1991. Though it remained her sole album, she built a thriving acting career and supplied background vocals for Keb’ Mo’, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Michael Jackson. Marva Hicks died on September 16, 2022 at the age of 66.
