Gillian michele's Profile
Gillian Michele is a and multi - talented individual, born and raised in London, England. Born in 1979 to Carribean parents, she grew up in the urban East end of London.
At the tender age of 1, it was already evident to her family that Gillian had a connection to music as she would come alive and walked for the first time to Bob Marley's recording of 'Could you be loved?' She was exposed to even more music in her early years as she was born into a musical family and her mother began attending a black pentecostal church in 1984. This is where Gillian first heard the sounds of black gospel music. In music classes at school, she was ahead of her peers and it was evident to her music teacher that she possessed a hidden talent.
It wasn't until 1992 that her talent was really recognised and she was asked to become a part of her church youth choir. At the age of 12 she was given her first lead vocal role and sang her heart out to the gospel song ' Jesus is the sweetest name I know' She wowed the crowd with her powerful and mature vocals. Things began to change at this point and Gillian's love for music began to grow.
In 1994, at age 14 she joined a gospel music ensemble called 'Raymond and Co' ( now known as the U.Ks no 1 Gospel group ) where she learnt to harmonise, adlib and blend with other singers. That same year she featured on a studio project called ' New Flava', which was a first for Gillian. She was accepted to Sir George Monoux College, London at age 16 where she was introduced to the sounds of Gershwin, Tin Pan Alley and Opera. She learnt Music Theory, Drama and Dance. Gillian was given the lead role in the college musical theatre production 'Salome' and coached by professionals from the Royal Opera House.
Throughout her teens, she began to attend vocal training, joined 2 community choirs, became a session singer, began to vocal train adults and chilidren & would use the stage at her church to nurture and perfect her craft. She began performing at churches around the U.K, on cruise ships, shows, made TV appearances & featured on radio and tours. She appeared several times on US no 1 gospel show, Bobby Jones Gospel & TBN.
While Gillian was still only 21, Raymond and Co signed a record deal with the ' Integrity' gospel label and greater doors were
opened. They were given TV exposure for a year on the
U.K breakfast show 'GMTV'. She travelled worldwide to
over 13 U.S states, Europe and Africa.
She has featured on projects with clients such as Dame Judi Dench, Westlife, Coca- Cola, GAP and at age 24 appeared with British singer, Will Young on a 21 day U.K city tour. This tour made history.
These days, Gillian still tours with Raymond and Co while pursuing work as a soloist, vocal trainer, session singer and writes jingles for TV and radio. She posesses a dynamic, soulful and distinct sound reminisent of Aretha Franklin , Ella Fitzgerald and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. These are a few her musical influences.
Gillian is hugely influential and a well renowned figure on the U.K gospel music scene.
