Rita Shelby

About the artist: Rita Shelby
Miss Rita Shelby found her true gift for jazz music in the past eight years, although she’s been a fan of jazz all of her life. Rita is warm and witty in her performance and sultry in her style. She delivers a classic jazz vocal tinged in melodies that hint of jazzy tones from days gone by. It’s like the jazz divas of yesteryear have been reborn. Rita Shelby is a new lady for a new day in a most jazzy way. LaRita is also an actress who starred in the movie South Central. She's been a journalist with Lee Bailey's Radioscope for many years and she's a speaker, a Sigma Gamma Rho member and a devoted mom who believes in love, miracles and the power of jazz.
About the album: A Date With A Song
Rita Shelby’s debut album is titled A Date With A Song featuring ten songs by Rita Shelby and Willie Daniels. Special guests on the CD include jazz legend Mike Melvoin, vocalists Sir Tony, Gene Van Buren, Wendy Moten, Dorie Pride and saxophonist Aaron Fletcher. The production team includes the creative genious of Willie Daniels, Stafford Floyd, Andre' Fischer and Michael Wells.
For booking info: Rita Shelby at [email protected] TO HEAR THE COMPLETE ALBUM GO TO: www.RHMmanagement.comPost your jazzy comments at My Space or contact Rita at [email protected]
What the critics are saying:
The evening was almost stolen by the humor, commentary and songs of Miss LaRita Shelby; host of the Starlight Jazz Serenade. Shelby’s spontaneous performance was entertaining enough to demand attention with or without a connection to the evening’s star performers. Don Heckman- Jazz Critic, The Los Angeles Times
Miss Shelby’s enchanting vocal and writing style harks back to a day when melody was king. In this day of the poser, thank God Miss S knows the difference. Steven Ivory- Music Critic, National Public Radio
LaRita Shelby is a renaissance WOMAN. She can do it all: writer, comedienne, host, actress and yes, an excellent singer who specializes in mellow jazz interpretations. In other words, she’s all that! Lee Bailey—RadioScope/EUR The Electronic Urban Report
Everyone is talking about your new CD! When will it be released and available for sale? Lawrence Wayne- Memphis VIP Magazine
On The Jazzy Forecast:
Rita Shelby stars as Pamela Matthews
In Walk By Faith: The Runaway Bride
Go www.LaRitaShelby.com to buy the title track “Walk By Faith”
By LaRita Shelby & Willie Daniels
Recent Performances:
Rita Shelby performs at The Fair’s Club of Beverly Hills
Hollywood Park Jockey Club special guest of “Women In Business” Inglewood, Ca.
The Starlight Jazz Serenade held annually at The Academy of TV Arts & Sciences- North Hollywood, Ca.
The Peabody Hotel- Memphis, Tennessee
About The 2 Jazzy Crew:
The 2 Jazzy Crew is headed by Rita Shelby and the incomparable Willie Daniels, the son of Gennie Daniels, a spirited gospel musician. Like most familiar stories, the church was Willie’s stomping ground where he cranked out holy wonders for congregations throughout Memphis, Tennessee. This is where he met LaRita Shelby while at Overton High School of the Performing Arts. Many years later they reconnected in Los Angeles and collaborated on the music for A Date With A Song. LaRita brings the words and melodies. Willie brings the music to complete the masterpiece!
Pictured are Willie on keys, Miss Rita on vocals, Jimmy Watlington on drums and Lindsey Redman on bass. For a list of other players on the project, see the CD’s liner notes. We are grateful for all of the fine musicians who lent us a hand, thus making them honorary member of the 2 Jazzy Crew!
About The Shelby/Daniels songwriting team
Four of the Shelby/Daniels collaborations appear in the new movie Walk By Faith: The Runaway Bride, available for purchase at www.BlackChristianMovies.com. Cherish The Moment has proven to be a favorite of all who hear it. Listen out for it in the movie Fair Game, directed by Michael Whaley. Rita Shelby and Willie Daniels share a passion for music and they hope to join the long list of songwriters who have made history.
For Rita Shelby contact: [email protected] To contact Willie Daniels email: [email protected]