Jazz Vocalist
Singer/Songwriter
*
For me, it's about expressing and sharing what's true to my heart, rather it be love, happiness, pain, hurt, betrayal, joy, faithfulness, bliss--whatever it may be,
and doing it in an intelligently creative and improvisational way, on the spot,
in the moment--I like to even surprise myself as I'm singing. Knowing the form of a tune,
ready to jump in and out at anytime, any tempo, any place, knowing changes, the changes---chord changes,
rather it be theoretically or innately, turning the melody upside down and inside out,
rather it be with the lyric or scatting, or other vocal embellishments. Listening and communicating
with the other musicians playing with me. My presence, reaching, communicating to the audience that's
watching and listening to me, making them feel something, explaining a situation, telling a story. Making the standards my own, giving my interpretation of a standard. Being willing to reach beyond my comfort zone, even reaching before everyone.
For me, these are some key elements of being a jazz vocalist.
~
My journey as a jazz vocalist began in my hometown of
St. Louis, Missouri .
At the age of eight years old, my grandfather provided me with formal, classical piano lessons, and I
continued formal study of the piano for seven years.I grew up hearing my mother, grandmother, and a host of other remarkable musicians and singers of the St. Louis area
sing and play the piano. Though I had been singing and loved the sound of jazz music since a little girl, I preferred to hear
non-vocal music. Then, one day I heard
Sarah Vaughan , and I've been hooked on jazz singing ever since. This is when, at age eleven,
I began singing jazz.
During my highschool years, I was urged by my choir director
Junetta White to audition for the
St. Louis Act-So Vocal Competition . After placing second and receiving a standing ovation,
I was introduced to Anthony McCah's group, Moment's Notice and had my first paid gig with them at the age of sixteen.
After graduating from University City Senior High School in Missouri, I attended
Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia .
While majoring in computer science, I was a touring member of the Spelman College Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Joseph Jennings for two years.
My thirst for a greater knowledge and experience of jazz led me to Webster University, Saint Louis, Missouri. During this time in Missouri,
I was a lead vocalist in the jazz combos and studied jazz voice and piano with Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum and Carolbeth True, and
had the oppurtunity to be in concert with Mae Wheeler and Tony Simmons at the
Sheldon Concert Hall , and I worked with drummer Maurice Carnes.
Then, I studied jazz theory, music business and technology, and voice
at the prestigous
Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts for one year.
Making the move to New York City , I've been here for about three and a half years.
I've studied jazz voice and piano with Amy London, Junior Mance and Rachel Z at
The New School For Jazz and Contemporary Music.
It's been quite a ride, yet I'm really just beginning. See, I have this vision, this God given vision to share with others my relationship with my Lord and Savior through original compositions.
My uncle use to jokingly imitate me saying, "We're supposed to love one another".
I would say that as a little girl, and now, I know, even more so, the critical truth to that statement.
I want to share the love of
Christ Jesus to as many people as possible.
As of now, I enjoy blending different styles and grooves into select standards, forming unique arrangements,
and developing as a singer, pianist, composer, and putting together different groups.
Since I've been in New York, I've sat in many jam sessions. It's so exciting because I've been able to sit in (sing)
with some notable musicians like: Eric Lewis, Jeremy Pelt, Sean Jones, Maurice Brown, just to name a few.
Many of these musicians I knew about before I came here. Being able to speak and sing with them makes
my heart so thankful for this opportunity.
In February of this year, I was featured for an entire hour on a legendary jazz radio station located in NYC,
89.9 FM WKCR NY with host Sharif Abdus-Salaam.
An amazing jazz supporter heard me sing in one of the jam sessions and had me come on. That was actually my first radio interview,
and I hope there are more to come.
Thanks for reading about my journey thus far, and look forward to hearing more in the
near future. In the meantime, enjoy the sound clips I have available, and anticipate a CD.
I'm growing, learning and making my way as a jazz vocalist and singer/songwriter in NYC. A true jazz vocalist does it for the love of it!!! (smile)
~ Cherise (Rise Laday)You may contact me via email at
[email protected]
