Music
Press
Genre: R&B
Sounds Like: ?
Technical Grade: 8
Production/Musicianship Grade: 8
Commercial Value: 8
Overall Talent Level: 8
Songwriting Skills: 8
Performance Skill: 8
Best Songs: Single
Weakness: ?
CD Review: Chantele, a singer/songwriter/Producer from Athens, Greece, via Richmond, California, submitted a song that is both refreshing, unique, and was loudly applauded at my FACE THE MUSIC! workshop in Oakland, California, which is where I met her. Her song, "Resume," is a tasteful blend of Pop, Reggae, and R&B flavors which are enhanced by Chantele's soothing soprano voice and backed by a contemporary, radio-friendly production. A positive step in the right direction.
- Gian Fiero
By Angela Woodall, STAFF WRITER
Article Last Updated: 04/25/2007 10:22:31 AM PDT
OAKLAND — Oakland's young singers will share the spotlight with seasoned R&B vocalists at the Strive for More Music showcase, 8 to 11 p.m. Friday at Maxwell's Lounge.
The quarterly event showcases the best up-and-coming music artists in the Bay Area.
Each showcase highlights a combo of developing artists and more seasoned performers poised to make a name for themselves in the business.
The evening kicks off at 8 p.m. with Clear Soul, led by Cori Jacobs, a Grammy nominee who has worked with such musical luminaries as George Clinton, the Temptations and Lauryn Hill.
With the audience in the proper groove, the showcase will begin at 8:30 p.m.
First up are four teens — Cartier King, Bianca Pickens, Adrian Hutton and Myarhia Summers — from the Oakland School for the Arts. Each will belt out cover songs. They'll take turns backing each other up, as well.
It will be their first time performing at a music venue or with a live band.
Kerry and Gian Fiero came up with the showcase in order to bring together fresh, talented youth and experienced singers who didn't have enough material to book their own shows, said Kerry Fiero, head of Strive Management. Gian Fiero is an independent arts and recording specialist.
They also are the directors of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of National Association of Record Industry Professionals and teach in the music and recordingindustry program at San Francisco State University.
The couple wanted to give emerging singers the platform to show their talent, while giving folks in the music industry a first look at artists they may want to represent, Kerry Fiero said.
"This gives young talent their first taste at professional singing and opens doors for them to be discovered."
Maxwell's as a venue was a "no-brainer," added Fiero, who books the rhythm-and-blues night at the Oakland lounge.
The more seasoned singers in the lineup Friday are Chantele Shaw, Irma Laxamana (with backup from vocalists Leah Tysse and Loredie Lugos) and Dahrio Wonder, who recently released his first album, "Wonderland," independently.
Shaw, an Oakland resident, was discovered by Gian Fiero at a 2006 workshop he hosted.
Laxamana was the lead vocalist of a four-part harmony group, Pinay — meaning a Filipino woman. Going solo is new territory for the Hercules lawyer and mother.
Wonder, who also hails from Oakland, will close the show with some smooth dance moves in addition to crooning a Tony! Toni! Tone! cover song and five original compositions.
Admission is $10. Maxwell's Restaurant & Lounge is located at 341 13th St. Call (510) 839-6169 for more information.
Staff writer Angela Woodall can be reached at awoodall@angnewspapers.com.
- Oakland Tribune
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
You will not find a woman with as much talent yet shows as much modesty as Chantele'. A performer since the age of nine, a songwriter since the age of twelve, gifted actress and vocalist, Chantele' has always had her hands in the musical cookie jar. Born in Athens, Greece, Chantele' is the daughter of two Air Force veterans. This 22-year-old beauty says "music has always been a major part of my life, when I write and perform I get to know more about myself." Her remarkable ingenuity allows her to put pen-to-paper and produce powerful hooks, vocal tones that are out of this world, and melodies that cannot be dismissed from memory. Chantele' has a vast way of connecting her lyrics to emotions that are familiar to the souls of the young and the old.
If you were to speak with people that have worked with her you will find that she is a hard-worker, very dedicated to what she does, grounded, and has the best over all personality. Chantele’ stays involved in her craft by actively working with people in the industry, a vocal coach, and two non-profit agencies. She was a core member of a talented group of teens known as "360", who gathered to work at the PAL DARS (Police Activities League Digital Audio Recording Studio). She and fellow member/producer 1-Tyme, has produced a well recognized song "T.Sunshine", which was included on a CD promoted by the Richmond Arts Program. She is now apart of the Youth Uprising team, where she and 1-Tyme are currently working hard to finish her much anticipated debut album which will be entitled “A Year in the Life of a Woman.”
A popular West Coast talent competition selected her out of thousand to participate in one of their 11 showcases for the year of 2004. Her biggest accomplishment was her being solicited to perform at the "Strive for More Music Showcase," a showcase that took place at Maxwells, a well known night club in Oakland, CA. She was also requested to perform at the “Bay Area’s Musicians Gift Bag,” put on by the dynamic vocalist Margo LeDuc. The showcase featured artists such as: Clifford Colter, The Drifters, Tony Lindsay of Carlos Santana, and was hosted by local radio stations, KPFA and KKUP. However, you can catch her in performances all around the Bay Area. Chantele' is ready to share her gifts with the world. But, the question is are they ready for her?
Links
