Chele'

....singing is solos, duets and ensemble, the iTheatre Collaborative cast puts on a merry holiday show....Chele' Watkins jazzy crooning.... - Arizona Republic

You may have seen her in a play, performing in a cabaret or singing soulfully on a local stage. These days it's hard to miss Chele'. A jazz crooner and actress...has all the makings of a bona fide artist....

...Her own performances pulse with the sounds of R&B and jazz, and while still perfecting her craft, she said her fan base is growing...

...From an early age, Chele' knew she wanted to make a special connection with her audiences, she said. "Every time I sing or speak or perform, I want the audience to experience the song. I want them to experience the movement." Chele said....Chele's hard work has paid off as she has acted and sung throughout the Valley, including with the Arizona Broadway Theatre's Bits and pieces group, and now has a regular show at Johnny's Uptown restaurant and music club in phoenix. "I've got people at my shows that are really wanting to (hear her music). That's exciting. The whole thing is just really exciting to me,"she said. - Solar

"Sometimes you gotta do right." The song, sung by local group, Chele Watkins and NuGruv, set the tone for last Saturday nights West Side Poetry Jam. Presented by the IAP department in honor of Martin Luther King Week, the event drew a standing-room only crowd to UCB's LaSala ballroom.... - West Express

The Velvet Room in Scottsdale rocked, and at the center of the movement sounded the evocative voice of a 5'2" powerhouse named Chele'. Creating a buzz and gathering a following in the Valley as a freelance vocalist, Chele's latest gig finds her singing lead for the band Tribe 7.

....One of six siblings, Chele' comes from a musical family with humble beginnings in her favorite kind of music - gospel. "I love music, especially expressive music. I love relating to people and to see the reaction the audience has when you are singing songs they understand." explained the serious yet sultry vocalist. When Chele', who is the daughter of a preacher, sang her rendition of the popular Alicia Keyes song 'How come you don't call me anymore', the crowd roared with approval, waving hands and drinks in testimonial agreement and singing passionately along....heartened by her fans and supporters, Chele' said that fans always approach her. One lady followed her into the bathroom to tell her how much she loves Chele's voice. "I feel blessed, it is a privilege, and I am happy and honored to be able to touch someone's life long enough for them to have some enjoyment and pleasure. People work hard, have problems and like a book does, it is nice to take them away from all of that," said Chele'. The songstress recalled the exhilaration of singing to a crowd of 10,000 people at a youth conference held in the America West Arena. "That was simply electrifying," said Chele', and credited the experience as one of many motivators that keep her moving forward in the rough and tumble music business. On completing this life long goal Chele' explained. "Anything that you do, you have to stay so focused, determined, persevere....I said to myself 'you know what, I'm going to do this thing."
.....Chele's first musical recording, a CD entitled "Aspects of Life"...will be completed later this year. To catch her act, look for her name in the New Times. - Arizona State University West