Cherise Rise Laday profile picture

Cherise Rise Laday

A Journey of a Jazz Vocalist....

About Me


Jazz Vocalist
Singer/Songwriter
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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.
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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]

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/1/2007
Band Website: ariselife.net
Band Members: All Blues (Miles Davis)
Cherise Harris, voice, keyboard (piano and bass)

Song For My Father (Horace Silver)
Cherise Harris, voice
Yakir Ben-Hur, piano
David Marks, bass
Joe Abrams, drums

Shulie a' Bop (Sarah Vaughan)
Cherise Harris, voice
Maurice Carnes, drums

Influences: click links below

Sarah Vaughan

Shirley Horn

Miles Davis

Thelonious Monk

Billie Holiday

Betty Carter

Ella Fitzgerald

Nat "King" Cole

Anita O'Day

Carmen McRae
Angie Winans
Nancy Wilson
Duke Ellington
SOUL

Abbey Lincoln

Bobby McFerrin
ROCK
Louis Armstrong

Erroll Garner

COUNTRY
Ben Tankard
Oscar Peterson

Art Tatum

Clifford Brown
Max Roach
Max Roach 2
Charlie "Bird" Parker
Dizzy Gillespie

HIP HOP
John Coltrane
Elvin Jones

Eric Lewis

FUNK
Mary Lou Williams
Lionel Hampton
Charles Mingus
Milt Jackson
Stefon Harris
LATIN
Horace Silver
Art Blakey
OPERA
Josephine Baker
Stevie Wonder
REGGAE
GOGO
Jonathan Butler
Roy Haynes
Claude Debussy
Beethoven
Bach
Chopin
and, yes, there are many others!

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. - Galatians 6:9

The living Word of God
WCCNY

Type of Label: None