At four years old this artist put her first act together banging on an old upright piano and using a hairbrush for a microphone. As a young teenager, she sang regularly at her grandfather’s church in rural Alabama and eventually became the featured soloist in a travelling gospel group.
At age 17, Redd successfully landed the role of ‘Maggie’ in the Studs Terkel musical ‘Working’. Night after night she performed the musical’s show-stopping number “Cleaning Woman”. ”As soon as the lights went down and the curtain came up on opening night I knew that I could not really live unless there music in my life!”
Redd received formal training, as a young adult in the field of classical music from baritone Andrew Gainey of the New York City Opera, and internationally renowned mezzo soprano Mildred Allen of The Metropolitan Opera. They both encouraged her to pursue a career as a classical vocalist. Redd says “Classical music is beautiful & I’m grateful for having learned to appreciate and perform it, but I was haunted by the spirits of Soul and Blues.”
A stint with Beverly Dangerfield & the legendary Clara Ward Singers marked the beginning of Redd Velvets’ career as a professional vocalist. Her first professional recording opportunity was as a background singer on the soundtrack of “Max and the Mountain”. As a solo artist she has shared the stage with such artists as Southern Soul legend Marvin Sease and the Ali Woodson-led Temptations.
Redd Velvet wrote 9 of the 10 songs on her debut CD. The lone cover song is her remarkable interpretation of the OV Wright classic ‘Searching’.
“Womanhood 101”was released in December 2009 & Redd Velvet is now ready to hit the road with her group ‘Big Daddy's Bad Ass Band’ for festivals and events in 2010.
