Magnetic Times encourages reader's contributions and although the following piece by Bob Perry has a promotional slant, because it is about an Island resident of "note" and gives us an insight into this artist's musical background, we decided to share an abridged version with our readers. (Ed.)

A diva on Magnetic

Her name is Ella and she sings onboard Magnetic Island's tall ship, the ‘Providence’ every Friday evening on the sunset cruise and at Picnic Bay's R&R restaurant on some Sundays.

Her songs shine with her renditions of Latin American, Spanish and English love songs.

Ella favours Candela, the music of the slums of Brasilia and Rio de Janerio, called The Favelas that she sings in Portuguese. Her love songs are sung in Spanish and are flavoured by the infamous Cubin band Buena Vista Social Club. Ella’s only language is English though she learnt the words from her long-time Brazilian and Spanish friends; she expresses the meanings of these songs with deep emotion and with the rhythm of life that dwells within Ella’s performances. Ella mixes her show with occasional English songs.

On her alternative performances, Ella portrays the character of Mz. Bazu and enchants her audience with Funk, Hip Hop, Soul and RnB; also Ella delights in her tributes to Erykah Badu and Jill Scott.

Ella needed only the one singing lesson and this was from the internationally known Stevie Van Lange who taught Lulu, Robbie Williams and others. She is mostly self- trained with her gifted singing, performances and dance though has had dance and stage movement tuition from Jodie Treadwell of Townsville’s Dance North. Her favourite dance is the Samba.

Ella has an innate talent but also gives singing lessons to interested up and coming artists. She has worked with Chris Copping of Procol Harum fame and has also worked with that internationally known drum and bass producer in the UK and beyond - Roni Size of D-Product fame.

Ella writes lyrics to instrumentals and as well as her own music.

Her idol is Angelina Jolie and when asked if she could have been born someone else she answered, Jeremy Clarkson - who presents the Top Gear program in the UK.

Ella would liked to have lived in the 1960s and 1970s, before the time of the Sex Pistols, because of that great era of experimental music. Her greatest ambition is to tour with and support a famous band or backing singing for Jamiroqvai.

During her time off Ella enjoys quality time with her husband and loves snorkelling and eating out. Her favourite possessions are her wedding album and her very special Rhode recording microphone.

You can see Ella perform every Friday evening on The Providence (Sunset cruise from Magnetic Island and Townsville).

Ella is working on project infusing popular UK and US dance music combining ‘House and Drum’n’Bass’ with DJ and live vocal performances to ‘Rock Da Place’ and she is currently negotiating with XBase and clubs country wide – all to be confirmed.

Article by Keith R (Bob) Perry

Ella Besile can be contacted on: 0417634969.