Michelle "Songbird" Ray

Professional, prepared, with own sound equipment, attire will be appropriate for the event

Professional history:
I joined my first R&B/dance unit, the In the Cut Dance Band from (phone number hidden)7, sharing lead vocals and bringing energetic dance cover tunes to diverse audiences throughout the state.
In 2016 I became co-host of an open mic showcase "R&B Live" at the Studio Movie Grill at 69th St in Darby PA with the legendary singer-producer Shirley Lites and powerhouse vocalist Paul Black. We featured the best local talent in music, rap and spoken word accompanied by the best musicians in a live band setting. I also hosted "R&B Live" in two North Jersey locations, Ridgefield Park and Teaneck.
In February 2018, I became the lead vocalist of the B-Smooth Band where my first performance with the unit was the same day as the Eagles’ Superbowl parade at the famous Warmdaddy's Supper Club in Philadelphia! We performed monthly at their happy hour events until the 2020 pandemic.
With B-Smooth, we've performed at the 2018 Willingboro (NJ) Jazz Festival,
the LaRose Jazz Club in Philly, the Taste of Soul by Ms. Nancy Restaurant and Jazz at the Wyndham in NJ as well being hired for private events. We enjoy performing covers, but are working on an original project for release in the near future.
In March 2019 I joined a women's collective, Sistahs Attune, covered by the Women's Coalition for Empowerment, Inc, led by the multi-talented Shekhinah B and featuring the incomparable jazz singer-songwriter Ella Gahnt. I enjoy the sisterhood in music as we perform in jazz arts events sponsored by the City of Philadelphia. The highlight of our tenure was travelling with the collective in July 2019 to perform in the second largest city in Cuba, at Santiago de Cuba’s annual Festival!
I perform as a feature artist for various events throughout the Tri-State area whenever the opportunity arises, and consider each encounter a blessing!

Other accomplishments:
In February 2017 I had the privilege to be recognized by the fabulous Philadelphia blues artist Pamela Renee Smith as a Black History Month “Women Behind the Mic” honoree, along with legendary Atlantic City entertainer Angela Burton. Through my friendship with (link hidden)gela, I’ve had the opportunity to sing background for her band, for national recording artist
Christopher Williams and the NYC-based Upper Level Band, all at the popular Kelsey's Supper Club in Atlantic City (NJ).
I’ve been a guest vocalist with Soulfied Village in MD, and a guest soloist at the historical Hemingway Temple AME Church in NW Washington DC.
I’ve had opportunities to be a studio vocalist, most recently in June 2019 for Grammy-nominated gospel artist Yocontalie “Connie” Jackson, credited with performing background vocals for her single “Things Will Get Better”!