Valorie - Lead Vocals and Percussion

 

Val's just a city girl, born and raised in south Detroit.  She got her musical start with Straight Ahead, a Detroit based rock/R&B band.  Val also performed with Bootsey X and the Lovemasters, featuring the Sugarbabies of Soul where she was (and still is!) Sister "D" !!!   At home with Rock, R&B and Funk, Val is also at home in the jazz club - having performed at the famous Baker's Keyboard Lounge.   Her credits include a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts from Wayne State University where she performed in plays and musicals with the Hilberry Theatre Company.

 

Her musical influences include Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, the Beatles, CSNY, Miriam Makeba, The Isley Brothers, James Brown, any Motown and of course, the almighty Aretha Franklin. 

 

Val pours her energy into every Rhythm 21 performance - showcasing her talent and experience as the heart and soul of Rhythm 21's vocal harmonies!