Valerie Day
| Valerie Day | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 20, 1959 Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Genres | Pop, jazz |
| Instruments | Vocals, congas |
| Associated acts | Nu Shooz, Tom Grant, Woody Hite Big Band |
| Website | Valerie Day official web site |
Valerie Day (born November 20, 1959) is an American pop and jazz singer. Born in Portland, Oregon, United States, she is a fourth-generation Oregonian, and grew up in a musical family.[1] She was the lead singer and a founding member of the 1980s dance band Nu Shooz, along with her husband John Smith.[2]
Day's performances with Nu Shooz had mixed reviews. She and Smith were credited with "rewriting the book" on Portland's R&B sound.[3] One reviewer at the Seattle Times described her as having a "tough but perky wholesome image," and praised her dancing and conga playing, but opined that she over-used a certain vocal hook, and was reluctant to step out as the star of the group.[4]
More recently, Day has taken on other musical genres. In the late 1990s she was a featured singer in the Woody Hite Big Band. She recorded an album of duets with pianist Tom Grant in 2005.[5]
Also in 2005, Day won a contest to have an image of her lips used in the new corporate logo for Portland's Hot Lips Pizza, as part of the company's 21st anniversary.[6]
From 2010 to 2014, Day was an adjunct professor at Portland State University where she taught Contemporary/Jazz Voice.[7]
References
- ↑ http://www.valeriedaysings.com/valerie
- ↑ Nicholas, Jonathan (September 1, 2006). "Old Shooz get a Nu start". The Oregonian.
- ↑ Tomlinson, Stuart (April 3, 1988). "Nu socks, nu shine, Nu Shooz". The Oregonian.
- ↑ De Barros, Paul (June 9, 1986). "The beat's great, but the band lacks depth". The Seattle Times.
- ↑ The Inventures
- ↑ Nicholas, Jonathan (October 3, 2005). "Hottest lips in town". The Oregonian.
- ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieday