LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Firm PR) - Talent management group The Firm announced today that it is joining forces with The Popular Entertainment Group, manager of 11-year-old multi-hyphenate Jamia Nash, to oversee Jamia's exploding career.
The Firm CEO Jeff Kwatinetz and James Nash, Jr., Jamia's father and manager, said that the companies will partner to take Jamia's career as a singer and actress to the next level in the wake of her inspiring performance before a worldwide television audience at the 80th Academy Awards. Jamia sang the Oscar-nominated song 'Raise it Up' from the Warner Bros. film 'August Rush,' in which she starred as Hope. Critics hailed the young entertainer's star turn on Oscar night, with Los Angeles Times music critic Ann Powers calling Jamia's performance 'predictably dazzling.' Cynthia R. Fagen of the New York Post opined that Jamia "stole the show" and "knocked the socks off the star-studded audience with her powerful, honeyed voice."
Atlanta-based The Popular Entertainment Group is headed by partners James Nash, Jr., President, and Jason Janifer, Vice President. Jamia's point people at the Firm are Jeff Kwatinetz and Stacy Boniello. Both organizations are thrilled about the new relationship.
'James and Charlene Nash have raised an incredible daughter,' said Kwatinetz. 'She is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime talent that people will look back at one day and recall the first time they heard her voice or saw her act. We are thrilled to be working with James and Jason to help Jamia realize her incredible potential.'
'We found in The Firm the ideal partner to help Jamia flourish as an artist and to realize her dreams,' said Nash. 'Jeff and his team not only have a proven track record, but they put artists first. We also appreciate The Firm's sensitivity to our desire as parents to continue to allow Jamia to enjoy school, her friends and the everyday things kids love while she develops her career.'
Janifer readily agrees. 'Our companies share similar views on how to shape and manage Jamia's career. We couldn't be more pleased to partner with The Firm to intensify the momentum of her growth as an entertainer."
Jamia came to the public's attention performing at age five. She sang at the NBA All-Star Game, and before such stars as John Travolta and Oprah Winfrey. In 2003, Jamia sang Alicia Keys' 'Fallin' before President and Mrs. Bush at the presidential gala at Ford's Theater, prompting the president to remark that Jamia is the 'definition of the future.' Last year, Jamia turned in a critically-acclaimed portrayal of "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino as a ten-year-old in the hit Lifetime movie, "Life is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story."
Jamia is also represented by Nick Styne and Kim Hodgert of Creative Artists Agency.
