Award-Winning Chicago Songwriter Valencia Bey Releases 'Love Lifted Me'
"Love Lifted Me" is the latest release from Chicago born and bred vocalist and award-winning songwriter Valencia Bey, a unique and versatile talent whose rousing acoustic performances, husky and soaring alto voice, and ability to perform across musical genres have earned her nationwide acclaim.
In 2006, Valencia produced her debut CD, Heart of a Brown Girl, a diverse folk/rock CD that is, according to WXRT-Chicago's Richard Milne, "a little bit of Tracy Chapman with more of the big wailers like Odetta." With a little help from her friends - renown guitarist Pat Fleming, drummer Rick Vitek, and bass player James T. Bromley - she created a project that appealed to fans across genres - rock, folk, pop and soul.
Valencia went on to release Coffee and Conversation, a blend of genres - rock, blues, soul and jazz - its themes of sunshine and loss, love and pain appeal to a broad audience. She was joined by her band, Frankie Blaze, producer for Chicago's Crucial Conflict, on lead guitar, Jauqo III-X, renown bassist and creator of the 15-string bass as well as the Low C sharp Theory and Glover Washington, Jr., seasoned rhythm king, on drums.
In addition to performing solo, she’s half of the inspirational duo Miriam’s Praise with fellow Chicagoan Tramaine Parker.
