Rooted in the rich musical soil of St. Louis, Jhai brings a timeless soul and a fearless creative spirit to everything she touches. A proud St. Louis native, her path as a performer was undeniable from the moment she stepped on stage at age eight for KMOV’s Junior Stars. She sang background vocals for soul matriarch Robbie Montgomery on an episode of “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s”, and later performed alongside literary icon, Ntozake Shange at the Nu Art Series. At eleven, she had four major record label showcases with a kid band called No Broccoli, performing for Def Jam, Sony, Atlantic, and Interscope. She was later featured on The TODAY Show’s kid edition of “The Voice”, singing beside her younger sister. Her voice has since soundtracked William Packer’s “Bigger” on BET and served as the theme for BET’s “8 Days A Week”.

These early milestones weren’t just personal triumphs—they echoed the brilliance of the musical legacy she was born into. Jhai is the granddaughter of soul legend Fontella Bass—two-time Grammy nominee and the voice behind the 1965 classic “Rescue Me”—and avant-garde jazz pioneer Lester Bowie, whose work helped shape the sonic revolutions of the ’60s and ’70s. Her great uncle, Joseph Bowie, founder of the iconic funk band Defunkt, adds yet another layer to her rich musical heritage.

Today, Jhai writes and produces her own records, blending jazz, soul, gospel, ambient textures, and experimental sounds into a style that’s unmistakably hers. She plays guitar, piano, and flute, and has headlined celebrated venues like Eddie’s Attic, City Winery Atlanta, and The Sheldon. She’s also opened for genre-defying acts like Moonchild, The Internet, and Tech N9ne—bringing her signature blend of vulnerability and power to diverse audiences across the country. Her work is deeply intentional—rooted in reflection, storytelling, and creative clarity.

Her artistry is a living tribute to her family’s legacy and a bold declaration of her own. Through every lyric and layered harmony, Jhai honors the past while shaping a future that’s radiant, resilient, and entirely her own.