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Michele Thomas
By combining her gospel background with her deep love of jazz and appreciation for contemporary soul and R&B, Michele has crafted a sound that doesn’t conform to one genre, but instead evokes the elements that make these genres so dynamic.
About Me
Michele Thomas and her talents have carried her through a fantastic array of
experiences within the massive world that is, music. By combining her gospel
background with her deep love of jazz and appreciation for contemporary soul and
R&B, Michele has crafted a sound that doesn’t conform to one genre, but instead
evokes the elements that make these genres so dynamic.
Michele’s life and career began and grew in Chicago, Illinois. Born the daughter of
a
Pentecostal preacher in the Church of God In Christ, Michele grew up on a steady
diet
of gospel music. The impact it had on her, even at a young age was profound.
These
feelings, along with her innate talents, led to Michele arranging and conducting
her
church’s choir while she was still in her preteen years. Michele would eventually
attend North Park University, graduating with a B.A. in music, and establishing
their
gospel choir.
The development of her love and talent for jazz began at a local tavern named Big
Joe’s 2 & 6 Pub and would later extend to the Green Mill amongst other choice
Chicago venues. These extremely well regarded performances would help her to
found her own vocal studio, where Michele has the wonderful opportunity to help
mentor and train young voices to reach their individual heights.
Michele’s performances, like her music itself, are deep and emotional. Not only
does
she blend the genres of jazz and soul together with elements of folk, but she uses
her
voice and songwriting to stir something deeper within people, causing them to
engage
the lyric and the beat simultaneously. Michele has been compared to other
powerful
African-American singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dianne Reeves, Cassandra
Wilson,
and Anita Baker, but she also draws inspiration from Kurt Elling, James Taylor,
and
Sting.
In between all of her teaching, mentoring, and performing, Michele has found
time to
record two albums with the help of some of Chicago’s finest session musicians.
Her
first album, I’ll Take Romance, was very well received with Asha Brodie of
JazzReview.com stating:
“Indeed, if larks could record CDs, they'd sound like Michele. She has a style that
is
joyful and soulful, her love for jazz music emanates through her scats and song
phrasing.”
Messenger is Michele’s most recent album and serves as a tribute to Stevie
Wonder
and the power of his music and songwriting. It also continues to display Michele’s
talent for outfitting existing jazz instrumentals with original lyrics, paying homage
to
the composers and musicians she admires, while simultaneously displaying her
vocal
flare like on her rendition of Hal Galper’s“Triple Play.”
Whether in her studio, on stage in a jazz club, or in the recording booth, Michele
Thomas brings an amazing level of energy, passion, and emotion to everything
she
does. Music is a powerful force whether it draws inspiration from gospel or the
shared
human experience and Michele Thomas aims to channel that energy into your
heart,
mind, and soul.