Chrisette Michele Experience 5/4/09

The Chrisette Michelle Experience was one of the most entertaining events I have attended in a long time. The conversation between the host Dedry Jones and Chrisette Michelle was beautiful and intimate, as if we were all in a coffee shop, quiet restaurant booth, or in the living room at home just talking and being ourselves. Chrisette was very honest, and engaging which was very refreshing. She talked of her upbringing in Long Island and her entry into music at a young age through the church her family attended. Her passion for music was evident in not only her words but her mannerisms when she spoke of the greats Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. I found it particularly interesting her stories of growing up in a very big extended family and how proud she was of that and her thirst for learning about different cultures which can only add to an artist’s growth.

The musical portion of this Experience was one of the best that I have attended because of the heart and soul she puts into her music. As Dedry played songs that she had collaborated on with Jay-Z, Nas, The Legendary Roots Crew, and The Game you could see her bobbing her head to the music like she was back in the studio recording her part. As a huge hip hop fan this is how I was first introduced to her beautiful and sultry voice. When she spoke of how writing all of your music isn’t always a good thing I found that to be a very honest realization on her part and a big contribution to her growth as an artist. The stories behind the songs from her first CD were warm and genuine.

Her mini-performance was like wow, she sounded incredible! It was like being in a small intimate jazz club and losing yourself in the music. The jazz version of If I Had My Way was amazing; her range and passion made this song jump down your soul. Her impressions of other artists were dead on and very fun. The next song she preformed is on her new CD titled Blame It On Me which is a very soulful tune and the message in the song resonated with the women in the audience.

This was one of the fastest selling Music Experience and, in my opinion, one of the best. The host, Dedry Jones, did an extraordinary job of interviewing Chrisette who not only gave an outstanding interview but one of the best live performances I have seen in a long time.