Gwendolyn Collins
Odenton, Maryland, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
August 2013 saw the dawn of a new era in Independent Soulful Music, from the freshest breath of air, Ms Gwendolyn Collins. Effortlessly her vocal range lends itself well to jazzy tones, soulful tones, neo-soul tones etc, with her unique ability to capture your mind body and soul with records like "Share" and "Take a Walk”.
I can only add that I am super excited about the release of the next single "Simple Things" as this cleverly shows us Ms Collin's captivating storytelling songwriting talent! Look out for more greatness from this now Maryland resident Indie Queen of Soul! Keep doing you, Gwendolyn Collins don't ever change. - DJ Lady Love...tsolradio.com
"Sophisticated Neo Soul Jazz Funk" - that's where we really like to listen in. Especially if there is success in combining all the 'well known ingredients' into a well balanced auditable result that is presented accordingly. Gwendolyn Collins does exactly that - "Share" is, a set in music, poured in a tone, Soul deception. we really like it. - Jeorg Schmnitt
A chill went up my spine. There were some 300 plus people in the audience in a rock-n-roll state-of-mind as they heard Gwendolyn sing Led Zeppelin “Whole Lotta Love”. What a voice; smooth as wine, raucous as a locomotive on a cool night, husky like the smoke from an evening campfire. Nobody in their right mind does Zeppelin, not in front of 300 people. And it wasn’t karaoke. The chill went up my spine and stayed there as she belted out rock, jazz, soul, and R&B. That’s when I knew; we all knew, all 300 plus of us in the dark of the auditorium, the stage lights enhancing the mood. Standing there on the stage with the band in the background was a world-class voice with all the other stuff - stage presence; a cool persona like a cat is cool. There’s a saying about being in the presence of a star; you’ll know it when you see it. So it is with Gwendolyn. - Carlos Solari, National Author
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Gwendolyn Collins - Solo Independent Artist, Cover Band Vocalist, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Vocal Arranger, Studio Technician and Owner/Operator of Independent Harmony Entertainment, LLC, a full service live music entertainment company.
Born just across the river from New York City in the Garden State of New Jersey, Gwendolyn Collins was blessed with the gift of song. Singing since she was able to talk, Gwendolyn's talent was recognized and nurtured from an early age by loving parents. During her early years, Gwendolyn performed with the church choir where her father served as Deacon and later with the chorus in the high school she attended. It was after her move to Maryland, just outside of the United States Capital, Washington, DC that she began performing, writing, producing and recording music that would attract fans of all music genres.
Since arriving in the DC metropolitan area, Ms. Collins, has developed an impressive resume consisting of a diverse musical path. From performing as lead songstress for large national and international bands, to accompanying intimate jazz trios, Gwendolyn has cultivated her talent through heartfelt lyrics and smooth vocals. A career highlight came in 2006, where being selected as a finalist in the Fortune Magazine Battle of the Bands presented the opportunity to perform at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Also to her credit are two video music scores, This Condition Called Love written and produced for promotional video accompanying the book release Joy Happened by Stef Williams and Gwendolyn co-produced the musical score for the video for national author Carlos Solaris El Capitan. Multi-talented mixed with a passion for helping others reach their musical goals, she also produces music, records in her studio arranges vocals for other local artists.
A talented singer/songwriter motivated to write by the simple art of feeling and seeing the world around, Gwendolyn removes limits to any specific music style; she pens it all, soul, R&B, pop, rock and jazz. Music is her passion and to her loyal listeners it is a release that takes them to a place where everything is all right. She enjoys live performances and has a unique style all her own that engages the audience and makes them a part of the musical experience.
In August of 2013 Gwendolyn wrote, co-produced and released her debut single Share with keyboardist/producer, Ollie Wright to unexpected international acclaim. DJs in the UK and throughout Europe picked up on Gwendolyns unique sound styling and Share went on to become a Top 30 hit in the UK Soul Charts. Collins followed up Share with her second single Take
a Walk with You in September 2013, which debuted at #8 on the Top 20 Independent Breaking Artists Radio Show and on November 8, 2013 reached the #1 spot where it remained for five straight weeks.
Putting on her producer and recording technician hat, she released a Christmas Compilation/Medley, Christmas Indie Soul Project;a collection of holiday tunes performed by a collaboration of Independent Artists within the Washington Metropolitan area. With 700+ downloads, this collection made the perfect Christmas gift to her faithful listeners.
With a style and musicality that is rare of performers today, Gwendolyn has been compared to the likes of Jill Scott and Erykah Badu mixed with a little bit of Tracy Chapman, all of which have had major influences on her style. Other artist Stephanie Mills, Rachelle Ferrell, Ledisi, and Annie Lenox are among some of her personal favorite. As described by a radio host, there is a certain quality in her voice and style ........throwback to real music with spice, sass, sincerity, personality with a spirit of Nancy Wilson.
Gwendolyn released her first single of 2014 on January 17, 2014 entitled, The Simple Things (inspired by her parents marriage of 50+ years) which reached two UK Charts and one Nigerian Chart as soon as February. The Simple Things is a lead up to her Catalog Chronicles {I am a Storyteller}Project and her Spring 2014 full length CD release. Treating her listeners to a compilation of varying musical genres, her upcoming projects are infused with her individual style of rich vocals, melodic harmonies and will showcase her songwriting and production talents, setting the stage for the
first act in a career that will certainly require an encore.
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