Artist description If you're looking for some soothing, mellow yet soulful music, check ChandaLeigh out. Described by some as a "female Stevie Wonder", this young artist has a promising future ahead of her.

Music Style Jazz influenced urban R&B

Musical Influences Stevie Wonder, Thelonious Monk, Rachelle Farrell, Sting, Morgan Heritage

Similar Artists Janet Jackson, Erykah Badu, Chante Moore, Alicia Keys

Artist History There is something inspiring about a performer who has the whole package: talent, intelligence, beauty and stage appeal. ChandaLeigh is an artist who has just that type of effect on people. This ambitious pianist and vocalist obtained her passion for music while playing for her father’s church choir when she was only 12 years old. It was this foundation that gave her the ear for every other kind of music. An honor student, this Spelman College graduate studied creative writing and jazz piano. The Chanda Bailey Trio, which she formed in 1995, performed live jazz all over Atlanta, delighting audiences at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Montreaux Music Festival and The High Museum of Art. In 1997, the budding artist moved to Los Angeles to begin her television career playing keyboards in the house band of the Keenen Ivory Wayans Show. In March of 1998, she met and befriended Grammy-nominated producer, DaMone Arnold. The two instantly formed a musical bond, quickly writing and recording her first record, Easy on the Eyes. Her debut, which she playfully describes as a hybrid of Janet Jackson meets Stevie Wonder, is a collaboration of songs that are both playful and heartfelt. After a 1999 world tour with the Grammy-nominated reggae band, “Morgan Heritage, ChandaLeigh returned to the US to grace the big screen in Jerry Bruckheimer romantic film, "Coyote Ugly". Later that same year, she began collaborating with longtime mentor, friend and poet Ray Grant. Together the two have created such inspiring songs as “Big City Life”, ‘Wash His Feet” and “Don’t Cry For Me”. “Since I’ve been working with Ray Grant, I find myself paying closer attention to the details of life. As a poet, he encourages me to see beyond the surface and reach for the emotion that makes a song really sing. As a team, we can take our musical ideas and craft them into something we can be proud of.” Her talents have also been showcased on MTV, The Roseanne Show, and The Caroline Rhea Show. Her theater credits include Fats Waller's “Ain't Misbehavin”, and “Five Guys Named Moe”. She also performs regularly with Joe Jennings and the Neighborhood Arts Jazz Orchestra of Atlanta. She says, “I like exploring and performing all kinds of music. I have a great love and respect for it, because music has given me so much.” Currently, ChandaLeigh is one of the keyboard players in the The Caroline Rhea Show house band. Her second album, Big City Life, is a musical journey through life in the hustle and bustle of New York City, and is “much more intense,” she says. “Now, when I walk down the street, I see so many things about humanity that inspire me… so many things that bring me to tears. And then I sit down and think of ways to put my thoughts to music.”

Group Members ChandaLeigh Bailey (Keyboards, vocals, writer), DaMone Arnold (Producer, writer), Ray Grant, (writer, producer), Arvel Blair, (writer, producer)

Instruments Piano, Keyboards and Lead and Background vocals

Albums Easy On The Eyes, Big City Life

Press Reviews "Whenever things start looking as if they're heading downhill for R&B, a few artists pop up to save its groove-loving soul. ChandaLeigh Bailey should be given an award for species preservation. She handles Contemporary R&B like a beat juggling, multitasking songstress. Her Neo-Soul bobs along and makes heads nod in relaxed, rhythmic agreement."-Listen.com - The Music Download Directory (www.listen.com)

Additional Info See me play every weekday on The Caroline Rhea Show (on ABC)

Location Atlanta, GA - USA

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