One to Watch: Chrisette Michele

Every once in a while you hear a voice and for whatever reason, it is instantly familiar. Not familiar, as in, you’ve heard it before…but familiar in the sense that you are comforted by it. That’s how I feel about Chrisette Michele.

The 24-year-old chanteuse from Long Island grew up singing and it’s clear that blues and jazz are deeply rooted in her influences. Critics are buzzing about Chrisette, making grand statements comparing her to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

Chrisette’s voice is truly an instrument for her. Soulful and vulnerable, it’s easy to assume that if Billie Holiday were alive today, she would have recorded an album like I AM. Rumor has it when famed music mogul, LA Reid of Def Jam Records heard Chrisette sing for the first time, he was brought to tears. In addition to singing, Chrisette also writes and composes her music.

The girl of Native American/South African American descent is not only talented, but she’s beautiful, too. With gorgeous feminine features and eyes as soulful as her voice, I’m sure this is just the beginning for the modern day torch singer.

Finally, real R&B is back.