Posted on
May 13, 2010 by
quincyb
Singer/songwriter Ariale
Singer/songwriter Ariale will sing the national Anthem at One Punch’s Ballroom Brawl Friday, May 21 at 7:30 pm at the Tampa Westshore Doubletree Hotel. Go to www.onepunch.net for more information on the fight!
Sultry yet somber. Incredibly salient but musically quite gentle. Her voice has been described as a captivating resurgence of old school sixties soul and rejuvenated seventies R& B and 80’s dance/pop. That’s how people are describing Tampa Bay’s most incredible hidden musical jewel Ariale. Born with the unique and naturally fermenting gift of musical talent, Ariale (pronounced Are-ee-Ell) – aka “Lyricah” was raised in Tampa on a healthy and steady musical diet of Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Jill Scott among others.
“I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” she recalls, adding that her first major performance was an a capella solo for the local church choir at age of 4. “I’ve had several leading roles in several local school plays, “she adds, hinting that she enjoys acting as well as singing. Of course, her natural abilities may very well be a reflection of this talented singer’s family genetics.
“I have a pretty big family,” explains Ariale, adding that various family members are athletes, writers, artists, or musicians. “Quest Love (The Roots) is a distant cousin from my father’s side. My uncle is (songwriter and producer) Balewa Muhammad from The Clutch. He wrote a song for me and I’m really looking forward to working with him in the near future.”
Perhaps the most famous member of Ariale’s family is her great uncle, Boxing Hall of Fame member Charley Burley. “He was named Ring Magazine’s 100 most feared punchers and, probably was the best fighter never to get a title shot in his respective weight divisions,” adds Ariale.
When Ariale was 11 she joined Specialist, a local Reggae band that opened for several major acts, including platinum selling artist Beanie Man. “That was a great show and he was such a gentleman,” Ariale says. She attended Blake Senior High School’s School of the Performing Arts and studied classical voice and vocal performance. During her tenure at Blake, Ariale participated in Blake’s concert chorus and gospel choir and even auditioned for American Idol during her senior year. “I didn’t get to meet Simon but it was a very fulfilling experience,” she smiles.
Following graduation from Blake, Ariale moved to Daytona Beach and attended Bethune- Cookman College and majored in Criminal Justice.
“Although my major was not music, I still actively participated in the gospel choir and concert choral,” says Ariale. “Following her second year at Bethune-Cookman, Ariale returned to Tampa and opted to pursue a professional career in music.
“First I started performing in local talent shows – you know, singing hooks for rappers, various R & B artists, and other Bay Area musicians and songwriters.” Though she was regularly performing as a session singer, she was diligently writing and producing her original material. During a local talent showcase, Ariale’s incredible talent was finally noticed by local resident and former WBC Lightweight Champion Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell.
“One of Nate’s relative’s heard me sing and later introduced me to Nate,” recalls Ariale. “I sang for him and he was really impressed!” With Campbell’s helpful guidance and encouragement, Ariale was asked by local boxing promoter Terry Trekas to sing the National Anthem at One Punch Productions’ infamous Ballroom Brawl Professional boxing matches in Tampa! “Terry’s a great guy and really supportive,” Ariale says. “Singing at past fights allowed me to network and meet a lot of great people from the boxing world – Roy Jones Jr., Andre Berto, Edner Cherry, (St. Petersburg native and former World Middleweight Champion) Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy and legendary trainers Jimmy Williams and Angelo Dundee!”
It was her association with Trekas that led to one of the most interesting of local celebrities – writer and producer Quincy B. Scovill. Scovill is a founding member of
Beatnik Castle, Tampa’s psychedelic dance/pop outfit currently riding high on the worldwide single and video “Will U B Mine?” Scovill immediately recognized Ariale’s talent and recruited her to sing on several Beatnik Castle projects. “Since meeting Quincy, I’ve been singing back-up for the extremely talented Ohsha Kai,” Ariale explains, adding that she’s currently working with Scovill for her upcoming single “Wander Into You” She also sat in and sang a few songs with songwriter, arranger, and producer Bobby G. Summers, a multi-talented musician and founding member of The Deele (with L.A. Reed and Babyface) who has performed with The Bar-Kays, General Kane, Sly and the Family Stone and was the Music Director for Enterprise Orchestra that toured with Rev. Al Green for over 15 years.
“I think Bobby is perhaps the most talented performer I’ve ever sang with,” says Ariale, noting that she would love to collaborate on future projects and songs with the talented Mr. Summers.
For further information or bookings, please contact Ariale at Ariale.brown@yahoo.com or 813-650-1181.
Ariale to sing the national Anthem Friday, May 21!
