Chuck Wansley

Chuck Wansley was born in Queens, NYC and raised in a jazz loving family. Convincing his Grandmother to buy him his first drum set and starring in every high school theatrical production he could, Chuck recognized his passion for entertaining and music at an early age.

After graduation, Chuck joined the international youth group Up With People and traveled the globe for 4 years, entertaining world leaders and massive crowds at notable venues like the Royal Albert Hall, La Scala and Carnegie Hall.

Playing the dance club circuit for years as drummer & vocalist throughout the Northeast, Chuck and his band opened for global acts like Earth, Wind & Fire, Chic and Tavares. On days off he would race back to NYC to absorb as much of the jazz scene as he could, hanging out near a window or doorway with drumsticks in his back pocket, he’d listen from the street for lack of a ticket.

After a few years Chuck returned to NYC, determined to make a solo career for himself. Auditioning, drumming, singing and dancing eventually led to gigs with artists such as Martha Reeves, Mary Wells, Phyllis Hyman and innovative artist Tomek Lamprecht of Model Citizens fame. In time fortune smiled with a vocal session that led to Chuck becoming a founding member of Warp-9, one of the first electro-hip hop groups in America with 2 albums and 6 hit singles. Produced by Jellybean Benitez, Lottie Golden & Richard Scher, hits included Nunk, Beatwave and Light Years Away (Prism) and No Man Is An Island (Motown).

After a move to Los Angeles to escape the cold NY winter and further his career, Chuck hooked up with East Coast musicians who had made the trek before him, launching an R&B band and a regular gig at an L.A. favorite, Simply Blues. It was there that he met the agent who employed him so often as lead vocalist and bandleader that he became known in town as The Wedding Singer.

After 20+ years of working as bandleader and vocalist with extremely talented musicians, Chuck shifted again by expanding into new territory - literally, by co-locating to Europe in 2015. Having been raised by an avid jazz enthusiast father, all that history reawakened his passion for swing and big band. Chuck has warmly embraced this new chapter in Prague where he performs regularly, crooning the classics with his jazz quartet, starring at jazz festivals as guest vocalist with orchestras and swinging big bands throughout Europe, leading his 10-piece R&B funk horn band, and appearing in a Broadway-style show called the Original Vintage Orchestra where he channels Cab Calloway and Justin Timberlake.

Performing with his L.A. band Chuck Wansley After Hours and solo shows as Guest Artist for jazz festivals in the USA and EU not only fill his calendar, but fills his heart as well. To really know music is to understand the mysticism of it. To be this fortunate to live a life of collaboration with great musicians and artists, and reach to the point where you talk without talking is a journey Chuck recognizes as miraculous, and one he is eternally grateful for. Show less