Sharon Rae North

Sharon Rae North’s mother once told her, “No matter what you do on the outside, you’re a singer on the inside.”

This talented songstress sings jazz (straight-ahead, contemporary, smooth, etc.) and standards. Though, she often adds in some jazz versions of R&B and Top 40 hits. Her first commercial CD, “The Way You Make Me Feel” released in October 2007. It has already received glowing reviews from www.Jazzreview.com, www.radioindy.com, and www.smooth-jazz.de.

“Sassy, sensual, soulful and spectacular…Nina Simone with a little bit of Della and Ella tossed in for color,” is how Jazz DJ Carmen Brown of 98.3 WDLT-FM [Mobile, AL] describes the vocals of Sharon Rae North on her CD.

Producer/Arranger, Vic Smiley’s familiarity with North’s voice and style resulted in pinpoint accuracy in accommodating what reviewer Nina Goodrich of Jazzreview.com describes as …”a smooth delivery punctuated with impeccable timing and firm control over the flowing notes.”

Sharon also has opened for major artists, such as Patti LaBelle. She was tapped to sing the National Anthem before an audience of thousands during the annual 4th of July celebration at the Double-A, 5-Diamond Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia, which is recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as “one of the best places in the world to stay.” She has headlined at numerous events, including the 2006 Summer Concert Series in Durham, NC.

Sharon has worked with many veteran musicians, such as Joel “Razor Sharp” Johnson, keyboard player for funk-masters Bootsy Collins and George Clinton, piano virtuoso Frank “Buzz” Amato, who accompanied Curtis Mayfield for many years, pianist Walter Bland, the only musician listed on the soundtrack of the HBO series Oz. Walter also has written scores for PBS shows and NPR programs. Others include, drummer Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson, who played with jazz great Jimmy Smith for nearly two decades, keyboard player Keith “Keecho” Rawls, who played for Peabo Bryson and for the UniverSoul Circus, and keyboardist Danny Jackson, who has produced for Grammy winning artist India.Arie. She also has worked with Michael “Kid Funkadelic” Hampton, lead guitarist for George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic and has done sessions with Clarence “Doctor Bob” Ross, the current saxophone player and back-up singer for the Isley Brothers and music programmer for Chaka Khan, En Vogue, New Edition and many others. She has performed with Jerry “Louie” Poindexter, veteran keyboard player for the “Godfather of Soul”, James Brown and jazz recording saxophonist, Derwin Daniels.