Sheléa Frazier, also known as Sheléa, is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Her 2014 track "I'll Never Let You Go" peaked at 23 on Billboard's Adult R&B chart. She is mentored by Stevie Wonder, and is a protégée of Quincy Jones. Sheléa portrays gospel singer Dorinda Clark Cole in the 2020 Lifetime biopic, The Clark Sisters: .
Life and career
Sheléa Frazier was born and raised in Bakersfield California. She has been singing and playing piano since she was a child. She has cited Natalie Cole's album Unforgettable...with Love as the impetus for her desire to become a singer. Sheléa co-wrote and performed the theme song to the UPNtelevision sitcomAll of Us from 2003 to 2006. Sheléa began her professional career working with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. In 2008, she sang lead on the track “Someone to Watch Over Me”, at the request of Take 6; the song was nominated for a Grammy. Afterward, Stevie Wonder contacted the singer for collaborations. Sheléa first gained wider prominence in 2012 after she posted a YouTube video singing a medley of Whitney Houston covers after the singer's death, which went viral. Later that year, she was invited to the White House to sing for the Obamas at the Gershwin Prize presentation. The next year, Sheléa performed a Whitney Houston tribute at the Grammy Museum. Shelea's debut album, Love Fell On Me, was released in 2013. The track "I'll Never Let You Go" song peaked at 23 on Billboard's Adult R&B chart. She also wrote and performed the 2014 track "I'll Never Let You Go" for the film Jumping the Broom. In 2019, she released an album Pretty World. A Tribute to Allen & Marilyn Bergman, which included Stevie Wonder and Kirk Whalum. Later that year, Quincy Jones produced a concert special on PBS featuring the singer, called Quincy Jones Presents: Sheléa. Shelea's performance featured David Foster. She starred in the 2020 Clark Sisters biopic as Dorinda Clark-Cole.
Mentorship and influences
Sheléa is mentored by Stevie Wonder and is a protégée of Quincy Jones. She was a backup singer for Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life Tour in 2014 and 2015. In 2018, she held a two-month residency at Jones’ Q’s Bar & Lounge in Dubai. She has stated that Whitney Houston is one of her biggest inspirations.
Discography
Albums
2013: Love Fell on Me
2015: You
2019: Pretty World. A Tribute to Allen & Marilyn Bergman