Primary Instrument: Vocal
REVIEWS
It's difficult to nail down just what makes her voice so darn compelling. Maybe it's the comfort and familiarity, maybe the confiding honesty. Whatever the case, it works exceptionally well. -- Todd S. Jenkins, AllAboutJazz.com
...[one] of the Top 50 songs of the past [2002] year that got the MOST inquiries and/or requests! -- Al Santos, Smooth Jazz 105.9 FM, Washington DC
...[one of] the most satisfying releases by area artists in 2001 -- Eric Brace, The Washington Post
A jazzy chanteuse with the pop sensibilities in the vein of Cassandra Wilson and Anita Baker, Changamire has it all: immaculate phrasing, tastefully restrained vibrato, a taste of honey in her tones, delicate songwriting, and fitting accompaniment that neither towers over nor cowers beneath her. -- Joseph McCombs, Starpolish.com
Honey-coated singing backed by lush sounding strings and sizzling jazz drumming. Changamir's voice has an intimate vibrato that teases its way around the words to her pleasant originals and standards. -- Jesse Terry, Listen.com
Une vocaliste jazz comme on en entend que trop rarement. -- FranceMP3.com
Soft jazz vocals with lush strings. Just when you thought you'd have to start unboxing those old LPs. -- The Tucows Music Network
....a wonderfully talented jazz singer.....pitch accuracy and vocal tone quality is right up there with the “top-shelf Divas” - BRAVO!!! -- General Jazz Music Director, MP3.com
....when I really want to relax and just drift away in a good song performed by someone with an exquisite voice, I listen to Changamire. This young woman is fabulous! -- Fred Wheeler, Minnesota Coalition Records
BIOGRAPHY
Changamire began listening to her Aunt's Jazz albums at age 13. She was immediately attracted to the singing of Billie Holiday but, mainly enjoying R&B as a young teen, did not pursue Jazz right away.
At 18, Changamire rekindled her love for Jazz, listening then to Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Dakota Staton, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nina Simone. She began singing at jam sessions around the Washington, DC area. While attending one of those sessions, a seasoned musician told her in front of the audience that she should return to the session at a later date, once she learned music. The embarrassment ran her away from the music scene. Shortly after, she decided to take voice lessons.
Changamire was introduced to Glenn Turner, the pianist for Gil Scott Heron during that time. Mr. Turner became her first vocal coach, and their sessions increased her love for music and introduced her to recording. He recorded each voice lesson to use as learning tools for Changamire. Together they recorded Jazz standards and Glenn Turner originals. She later studied with Ronnie Wells and the legendary Charlie Hampton of the Howard Theatre. Eventually, she began performing in intimate Washington venues, always filling them to capacity.
Several years later, Changamire was working for a Public Relations firm, where she met a Jazz label representative who suggested she make a recording, to have a presence in the music industry. Soon afterwards, she began recording her debut CD, Only Human. Changamire solely hired a producer, the finest musicians, and used the most professional studios within her means. One session, recorded at the famous Sigma Sound Studio in Philadelphia PA, utilized a 14-piece string section. Her credible publicity experience has also been executed for the CD, warranting extensive press and acknowledgements, including the Washington Post naming the CD as one of “the most satisfying releases by area artists in 2001”. Selections from the multi-genre Only Human, prior to and after its release, have numerously appeared on top 40 internet charts around the world, resulting in over 35,000 plays of music on the Changamire website.
The promotional campaign continues for Changamire and Only Human. A professional fashion photo shoot, high-quality CD release with commercial radio airplay, successful video premiere, and a unique itinerary of upcoming events keep the public wanting more of her. For recreation, Changamire enjoys fine dining, fashion, art, theater, and traveling. Her professional and social affiliations include the Washington Area Music Association, National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (where she was named “Executive to Watch”), Washington Project for the Arts, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Young Benefactors of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, TransAfrica, and the African and American Women's Association.
