RAMONA’S SONG for now………….
With a sound reminiscent of some of the great ladies of jazz, and as contemporary as the sistas of R&B/Soul, there is a voice…………………………………and it belongs to RAMONA! From the very moment she opens her mouth to sing her voice commands the attention that audiences willingly surrender. Ramona’s emotional stage presence aids in painting a picture of the stories her heart sings. This dynamic vocalist is more than just a singer she is a stylist. Her clear, warm, sultry voice exhibits such control that even her mistakes become her successes. As she stands in the gap between classic jazz and new soul she mesmerizes audiences, young and old. Take a listen…………………..in her voice you will hear blues, jazz,gospel, and soul - the herstory of some of the greatest singers of our time.
This soul-stirring sister was destined to become a great singer. When her mother was in labor with her, she would sing to ease her pain. Ramona took over and has been singing ever since. As a young girl growing up in Louisville, KY, Ramona and her musical family, heavily influenced by the Clark Sisters and The Hawkins Singers, formed their own gospel group called the Troupe and Dunlap Family. At age 12, Ramona and her mother sang lead to the song that won the family group its first gospel contest. When she wasn’t singing in church, she was listening to, and imitating the soulful sounds of Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway, Natalie Cole, Minnie Ripperton, Chaka Khan, The Emotions, The Jacksons, and Earth, Wind, and Fire to name a few. She seemed to understand the deep emotions felt through music at a very young age and continues to carry those same emotions throughout her own performances.
Throughout her high school and college years, she trained classically and was introduced to musical theatre through the ‘Theater Workshop of Louisville’. Her performances include, “Don’t Bother Me….Cope”, “The Mahalia Jackson Story”, and the touring “God’s Trombones”. She performed in her first opera, “Treemonisha” by Scott Joplin, as Treemonisha at The Karamu House in Cleveland, Ohio. Theatre experiences have given way to the dramatic expressive qualities of her stage presence.
Ms. Nancy Wilson, who remains a great influence on her singing today, was Ramona’s first introduction to jazz standards. Because she admired the class and style of Ms. Wilson, her college choir director took notice of the adoration and asked her to perform a tribute to Ms. Wilson at a dedication ceremony in her honor in her hometown of Chillicothe, Ohio. Thereafter, she began to perform more and more jazz. She later was introduced to Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughn, Betty Carter, Charlie Parker, Coltrane, and Miles to name a few. Ramona further sharpened her jazz skills singing jazz standards in the Cincinnati area with trumpeter, Mike Wade, and in contemporary jazz and R&B with a local band in Cleveland, Ohio. The saxophonist for Pieces, Eddie Baccus, Jr, heard Ramona and suggested to the managers of “Pieces of a Dream” to consider her as their premiere female vocalist for the group. She recorded on their 25th anniversary cd “Acquainted with the Night”, as well as their 2006 release, “Pillow Talk”, in which she co-rote two of the three songs she recorded. Her sultry, soulful rendition of ‘My Funny Valentine’ was a big hit with audiences internationally. Currently, she is still performing and recording with “Pieces” and is pursuing a solo career of her own.
Whether she’s opening for such a diverse group of artists as Jerry “The Iceman” Butler, Natalie Cole, and newcomer Dwele, as a featured vocalist with Pieces of a Dream, or performing her own material of undeniable truth, inspiration, and love, this young lady touches the depths of your soul in a way that you’ll never forget.
Hear her and you WILL become a fan. Experience…………………………..RAMONA!