Album Notes

chandra currelley (bio)


www.chandracurrelley.com

chandra currelley is a name synonymous with energetic vitality, professionalism and sheer talent-a name instantly recognized in the atlanta music scene and with artists and producers on both coasts.

her musical union with jazz-funk legend roy ayers produced many exciting performances across the country as well as the moving title track duet, "i'm the one," in 1985. the pittsburgh courier noted, "her shops are powerful, but she reaches upper and lower registers effortlessly...she's also quite a fantastic scat vocalist..." an exclusive article in the atlanta journal/constitution praised the collaboration with mr. ayers and acknowledged the immense respect and clout she commands.

chandra is comfortable with any style of music. cited as being "the perfect lead vocalist", in an article by black radio exclusive (bre) magazine commenting on chandra replacing mary davis as lead singer of the s.o.s. band in 1986.

chandra and the s.o.s. band climbed the billboard charts to number #4 with "i'm still missing your love" on tabu/sony records on the "diamonds in the raw" album. with the success of "diamonds in the raw", chandra recorded a second s.o.s. album on a&m records entitled "one of many nights", with the single "sometimes i wonder". it would be the twentieth top twenty single for the s.o.s. band. ms. currelley wrote three songs on that album, including the second single the haunting ballad, "broken promises".

as she explained in an interview with the urban network, (artist profile), "being a true performer has meant a lifetime devoted to artistic expression, including acting, dancing and singing." triumphs in a variety of theatrical appearances are numerous, such as the alliance theatre's presentation of "dinah was". the atlanta constitution reviews proclaimed, "diva delivers a hot dinah"!
chandra also received a helen hayes nomination for her lead role in the musical "slam"! she has worked with some of the most influential directors in theatre, including kenny leon, debbie allen, tyler perry, tom w. jones ii, david h. bell and david petraca.
wendell brock of the atlanta journal/constitution notes, "chandra currelley has a magnificent voice and good comedic chops".

it's no surprise that tyler perry recognized her talent and cast chandra in the plays, "i know i've been changed" and "madea's class reunion". variety magazine cited chandra's performance as "roof rising", as miss emma. chandra plays herself in tyler perry's number one hit movie "diary of a mad black woman", a perfect combination of scene and song. with her eyes firmly set on the next horizon which is her solo cd, the certainy in her life is to continue making the beautiful music she calls urspijaz! (urban, spirit,jazz)