Sweet & soulful...From steamy New Orleans rises inspiration and a hopeful new beginning...

Born in the Ponchartrain Park area of New Orleans, Mauva Belle has been inspired by music from her early years.  She started out as many young talents do, singing in her church choir and winning area voice competitions as a teen.  In 1995, she decided to take her passion one step further.  She moved to Seattle in 1995 along with her band "Mauva's Bathtub R&B" to begin her professional music career.

Rainy Seattle was a great backdrop for the blues, and Mauva enjoyed regular performances with her band at the Central Tavern, the Port Townsend Blues Festival, as well as often playing in a piano bar duet.  She took her show abroad in 2000, sharing her soulful talents at several stops in Italy. 

After these experiences, Mauva felt the gravitational pull of New Orleans calling her home.  She returned and immediately launched a very active show schedule in the French Quarter and local music scene.  Even today, she is inspired to remember her proudest New Orleans performance - singing at the Aretha Franklin Revue at the Cabaret Le Chat Noir. 

She went on to perform for vacationers aboard Caribbean cruise ships along with fellow musicians Katrice and Rainey LaCour.  During this time, tragedy struck in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina devastating New Orleans.  Mauva and her husband's Gentilly home was destroyed.  They decided to make their way to Natchitoches Parish to meet up with the LaCour brothers.

It was there that Mauva was once again inspired - this time by the warm spirit and welcoming arms of the people in tiny Robeline, Louisiana.  Falling in love with the small town, she decided to make the area her new home. 

Happy to share her gift...Mauva began with a hopeful new future and has since entertained thousands in North Louisiana.  She performs regularly at venues in Natchitoches and Shreveport, as well as performing for festivals and private events. 

"We're a welcoming band," she says.  Through all that she's been through, she remembers her past with a inspired view of the future. 

"The remembering of who I am and what God has done for me has helped to sustain me in continuing to spread my gift of voice and interpretation in a parish that's been very supportive and encouraging."