Charisa profile picture

Charisa

About Me


/Some extraordinary stories in Soul Music can begin in the most ordinary of places. I (Charisa, a.k.a. the ViolinDiva) began my musical journey in a little public school program at the tender age of four, and so began a lifelong love-affair with music. Born and raised in Maryland, all of my earliest musical influences - from traditional gospel to Washington DC’s gogo, and le hot jazz to classical symphonic training, all blend to create an innovative and jazz-infused take on contemporary soul. I’ve been blessed enough to collaborate with some of the most illustrious artists across the musical borders, on some of the most prestigious stages (including with Wynton Marsalis, Ashanti, Claudia Acuna, Common, Doc Severinson and Mos Def – to name a few). It has truly been great. But that's not all. I FINALLY have my TWO (that’s right, I said TWO) first albums simultaneously in production right now. (Woo-hoo!) ‘Stories’ in the soul genre and ‘This Journey Home’ in the gospel genre are both set to release in fall 2009. There are also many different shows and showcases of my own that I’m working on around town, so keep checking in to see what’s coming up next. I’m more excited than words can say about the big things happening in my life, and I invite you to journey with me in the next chapter in soul . . . Welcome to the Evolution.[Charisa D. (aka the ViolinDiva) is available for events, session work, group and feature performances, musician contracting, commerical work, arranging, songwriting, loops, beats, and touring in all genres - specializing in classical, hiphop, soul, R and B, gospel, and jazz.]

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 15/06/2007
Band Website: www.theviolindiva.com OR www.sonicbids.com/Charisa
Band Members: I formed my band “the Soul Evolution” in the winter of 2007, creating a soul sound reminiscent of the great bands gone before. We've been described as “ a cross between Tina Turner, and James Brown jam band". My band members have performed across the world with everyone you can think of, and continue to do so. All of them have developed successful independent careers in their own rights, which makes the combination of their talents that much more powerful. We collaborate in writing, recording, and performance, and create a unique moment all our own.
Influences: James Brown, Tina Turner, BACH, Old School Soul, Jazz, Gospel, All Ethnic Music, African PolyRhythms, spirituals, (Did I mention Bach?), Romantic Era Classical Shostakovich, Brahms, Ravel, Duke Ellington, Bird, Dinah Washington, Gil Evans, Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and way too many others to list here (but if you really want to know, you can always ask me)
Sounds Like: God intended me to.
Record Label: Unsigned

My Blog

new tracks

Hey y'all . . . .Woo-hoo! I've been living in the studio, so now I've got some new stuff for you guys to listen to. I just wanted to give you an update on my new tracks that I've put up for your enjoy...
Posted by on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:01:00 GMT

The Beautiful Young Ladies of Jazz - see me at about 6:00 in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhNsw5rYW5U
Posted by on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:48:00 GMT