Z E N O B I A____
“How can I serve…?”
ZENOBIA was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in a racially mixed family.
She claims her Mexican, African American, Native American, Irish and Jewish ancestors, which she celebrates all!
American singer-songwriter, composer, producer, and actress.
She has worked extensively across Broadway theater, independent music production, and commercial advertising.
Career Highlights
- 🎭 Broadway: She performed in the original Broadway production of Hair as a member of the Tribe and understudied roles like Dionne and Jeanie. She also toured with Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar.
- 🎵 Session Work: She contributed background vocals to major hits, including the 1982 classic “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls.
- 🎛️ Production & Solo Work: She co-produced tracks like Rockers Revenge’s “Living for the Weekend” and released her own 1985 club track “In the Night” through Streetwise Records. Her independent album Resurrection won Best CD of the Year at the New Mexico Music Awards.
- 🎬 On-Screen: She is an actress, known for Longmire (2012), Madigan (1972) and The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t (1979).
Songwriter and recording artist Zenobia began her singing career in her church choir in Los Angeles where she taught herself to play the piano at 5 years old and wrote her first song at 8. After winning local talent shows and awards in acting, at 18, she debuted in the LA company of the rock musical, “HAiR”, then was sent to New York to join the original Broadway company. While in HAiR, Zenobia became a studio singer on recording sessions and live gigs.
She’s worked with producers Genghis of Atlantic Records, Eddie Kramer on Jobriath, JF Murphy and Salt and other recording artists: Jane Olivor, Julie Budd, Gene Pitney, Keith Avedon, Tommy Mandel, and James Blood Ulmer. She’s also toured in Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar. At the time Zenobia released a 12″ single, “In The Night” on Streetwise Records and co-produced Billboard’s Dance chart, “Living For The Weekend” by Rockers Revenge, her friend, Paul Jabara asked her to record a song he wrote, “It’s Raining Men” which soon after became a disco hit on Columbia record label featuring her as an original Weather Girl. Recording artists Leon Ware(Elektra), The Ritchie Family(RCA), and Platinum Hook(Motown) have recorded her songs.
Some of her co-writers have been Carol Bayer Sager, Marti Sharron, Denise Rich, and James (D-Train) Williams. As an award-winning producer in commercials (1 CLIO, 3 CEBAS, 3 Tellys & Black Achiever Award), Zenobia has produced singers, Patti Austin, Valerie Simpson, Michael Bolton, Lou Rawles, BJ Thomas, Vickie Sue Robinson and directed Richie Havens, Ossie Davis, Busta Rhymes, Angie Bofill and Eddie Griffin for TV & Radio commercials. She’s co-produced Richard Foltz’ “A Songwriter’s Christmas” and Ase Drumming Circle’s, “Souls A-Gathered”. She has also sung on Grant King’s “Let Love Out” and “Bodies of Water”. Zenobia debuted her CD, “Home” in 2000. Besides the piano, she also plays guitar, Harmonium, D’jembe drum, and other percussive instruments and is a vocal arranger.
“I ride a 1996 Honda Magna and sing, not always at the same time,
but sometimes I get to ride and sing for good causes.
That’s how I roll. I don’t play games here…or anywhere else for that fact…”
Singer/Composer
“Zenobia looked forward to church every Sunday growing up in the Los Angeles area. She loved to sing and cut her teeth on the old gospel hymns. Zenobia pursued singing and was cast in the Broadway musical Hair, worked with director/choreographer Michael Bennett and became a successful backup singer. She also worked in radio production and has many interesting stories working with the likes of Luther Vandross and Lou Rawles. One of her career highlights occurred when the legendary backup vocalist Darleen Love launched her own concert tour and Zenobia was asked to create the pre-show video montages of Ms. Love’s long career.”
