Sheléa

With a voice that stirs the soul and hands that glide effortlessly over the keys, Sheléa represents a return to true artistry that has garnered attention and adoration from legends throughout the music industry. Her sultry sound is an exciting oasis in an age of Auto-Tune. Blending traditional pop, jazz, R&B and soul, Sheléa brings a contemporary edge to classics and a classic touch to contemporary pop standards.

Shelea
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In the 2019-20 season, Sheléa debuts with the Seattle Symphony and Naples Philharmonic and tours internationally and in the U.S. with her own band. She stars in the upcoming Lifetime biopic based on gospel group the Clark Sisters, executive produced by Queen Latifah.

Sheléa began as songwriter/vocalist with legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Her early career experience led to writing and producing for Chanté Moore’s album Love the Woman and recording vocals on major motion picture soundtracks for Hotel Rwanda, Akeelah and the Bee and Be Cool. In 2008, Sheléa teamed up with the Grammy Award-winning Take 6, singing “Someone to Watch Over Me” for their Grammy-nominated album The Standard. She went on to compose and perform the theme song “Love Fell On Me” for SONY’s Jumping the Broom (2011) starring Angela Bassett. Sheléa’s debut album Love Fell On Me was released in 2014, featuring heavyweights Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight and Narada Michael Walden. The single “I’ll Never Let You Go” peaked at #22 on the Billboard R&B charts and charted for 22+ weeks.
As Sheléa’s profile grew in the world of R&B, it quickly became clear that her enormous talent was destined to transcend the confines of any single Billboard chart, musical genre, or label. In 2012, Sheléa performed at the White House to honor composers Burt Bacharach and Hal David with the Gershwin Prize. The success of that appearance led to a standing-ovation performance at the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Awards singing the classic “Anyone Who Had a Heart” honoring the late Hal David. Sheléa was later invited back to the Library of Congress where she performed with Narada Michael Walden for ASCAP’s We Write the Songs. While rehearsing for this event, Sheléa made a lasting impression on husband-and-wife songwriting duo Alan and Marilyn Bergman, musical legends and paragons of the contemporary American Songbook, especially the catalogue of Barbra Streisand (one of Sheléa’s greatest musical inspirations).

Shelea

Over the last several years, Sheléa’s star has continued to rise. In 2015, she headlined a tour with Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright and Norman Brown, and soon after joined mentor Stevie Wonder for his Songs in the Key of Life tour. In 2016, Sheléa returned to the White House to perform with Anthony Hamilton as part of PBS’ Smithsonian Salute to Ray Charles. That same year, Sheléa made her acting debut in the HBO Emmy-nominated film All the Way. In 2017, Sheléa had the distinct honor of being selected by Quincy Jones to be the first vocalist for his jazz club Q’s Bar and Lounge at the Palazzo Versace Dubai where she performed a month-long residency. Word quickly spread and Sheléa’s international appeal made the club the premiere choice for entertainment. Later that year, she made her Carnegie Hall debut in a tribute performance to Jimmy Webb. Demand for Sheléa has continued to grow over the past year with tours including Kirk Whalum’s Gospel According to Jazz; An Intimate Evening with David Foster: Hitman Tour; and the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour.

Sheléa has shared her talents at numerous charitable events in support of causes that hold personal importance. In 2012, Sheléa joined Annie Lennox, Herbie Hancock, Joan Osborne, Patti Austin, and the South African Children’s Choir at the Kennedy Center to perform for the UN International AIDS Conference. A staunch advocate of female empowerment, she appeared at the global launch of One Billion Rising headed by Eve Ensler, performing the anthem “Break the Chain,” closed the 2016 TEDWomen Conference in San Francisco, and performed for the National Women’s History Museum honoring Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Dolores Huerta. As a member of the Recording Academy, Sheléa was a guest speaker at the 2018 Grammy Museum Summer Sessions, sharing her insights with high school students on the value of music, the craft of songwriting, vocal technique, and overall professional development.

Shelea

In 2019, Sheléa starred in the concert special QUINCY JONES PRESENTS: SHELÉA broadcast on PBS, joined by special guests David Foster and Greg Phillinganes. Sheléa also released her much-anticipated third album Pretty World: Through the Eyes of Alan and Marilyn Bergman (Breath of Life Records/Universal). The album consists of 11 songs handpicked by the Bergmans, including never-before released songs and a new arrangement of “Make Me Rainbows” which Sheléa debuted at the ASCAP Jazz Awards honoring Marilyn Bergman. Sheléa is joined on the album by some very special guests who have been instrumental throughout her career including Stevie Wonder, Kirk Whalum, Take 6, and Greg Phillinganes.
AUGUST 2019