Charenee Wade facts for kids

Charenee Wade is an amazing American singer, composer, and teacher. She is known for her beautiful voice in jazz, soul, and R&B music. Charenee also creates new music and teaches others how to sing and perform.

Early Life and Musical Start

Charenee Wade grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She started singing when she was just 12 years old. Even as a young singer, she showed great talent.

She was part of special music programs for young artists. These included the Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Program at the Kennedy Center. She also joined the Dianne Reeves Artists Workshop at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

From 2007 to 2009, Charenee was chosen for the JAS Academy Summer Sessions. This program was led by the famous musician Christian McBride. Early on, she was inspired by legendary singers like Sarah Vaughan and Betty Carter.

Charenee's Music Career

Charenee Wade is a performer who sings all over the world. She has studied both jazz and classical music deeply. She has performed at famous places in New York City, like the Jazz Gallery and Lincoln Center.

Her first album, Love Walked In, came out in 2010. She has also been a featured singer with many different groups. This includes big bands and even a 100-piece Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra. She was featured on two Grammy-nominated albums with the Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band.

Working with Other Musicians

Charenee has learned from many great teachers. Some of them include Carmen Lundy and Luciana Souza. She has also performed with many famous musicians. In 2003, she opened for the legendary Herbie Hancock at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival.

She has toured with the Oleg Butman Trio in Russia. In 2004, she performed with the bassist and composer Rufus Reid.

Her Albums

Charenee's second album is called The Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson. It was released by Motéma Music. This album is a special tribute to the music of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson.

Many talented musicians played on this album. These include Christian McBride, Lakecia Benjamin, Dave Stryker, Stefon Harris, Marcus Miller, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Charenee has also been a guest singer on albums by Tia Fuller and Eric Reed.

Notable Performances

In late 2014 and early 2015, Charenee starred in a jazz theater show. It was called Cafe Society Swing at New York's 59E59 Theaters. She performed alongside singers like Cyrille Aimée and Allan Harris. The show received great reviews, even from the New York Times.

In October 2015, she was a special guest singer with the Rob Garcia Sextet. They performed a tribute to the music of Max Roach. In August 2017, Charenee performed at the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. She sang with the Lee Konitz Quartet and other artists.

She has also performed in Shanghai, China. In October 2017, she sang at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Shanghai. She performed with the Camille Thurman Group and pianist Helen Sung.

Teaching and Inspiring Others

Charenee Wade is also a dedicated educator. She teaches music workshops and clinics. She also helps judge music competitions. She is a professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York.

She also teaches with the Jazzmobile workshop program. She helps teenagers learn music at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Charenee believes that music can change lives. She feels it helps people express themselves and brings good things to communities.

She has also taught at the New Orleans Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Jazz Camp.

Awards and Recognition

Charenee Wade is a very talented singer. In 2010, she was the first runner-up in the Thelonious Monk competition. This is a very important award for jazz musicians.

Discography

• 2011 - Love Walked In (Self-Produced)
• 2015 - The Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson (Motéma Music)