Born To Be A Singer: Meet Charis Jones
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- April 22, 2023
Hello We Empower Magazine readers, we have an inspirational story for you that we know you will enjoy. Charis Jones knew that she wanted to be a singer when she was born. She had to remain in the NICU for several weeks, as the umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around her neck, obstructing Charis’ air passageway. It was thought that Charis would not be able to speak audibly, let alone sing. Yet, she was surrounded by so much joy and music, Charis eventually began humming, and then singing along with other songs she heard on the radio while riding in her mother’s car, or while attending church. Possibly around the age of 5, her mother asserts that out of the blue, Charis just began singing Donnie McClurkin’s “Speak to My Heart” and her mother was flabbergasted by this miracle. From that point on, Charis gravitated to any and all things musical. Charis had her first solo in the children’s choir at Ebenezer AME Church at age 7 and participated in many choir recordings by way of her godfather, Donald Vails.
He taught Charis so much and introduced her to prominent gospel singers, and was able to sing alongside and with backgrounds for people such as Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, and Byron Cage. Fast forwarding through high school, and into College, Charis was asked to be a member of the Drexel Gospel Choir and was given a solo for their fundraiser performance where they conducted missionary outreach in Kingston, Jamacia. Following this moment, Charis started to feel that singing was her calling and a gift from GOD. It was not until her first year in graduate school at Drexel University that Charis signed up for a talent showcase and performed as an independent artist. At that inception, she knew she wanted to become a singer.
We Empower Magazine readers, please enjoy our interview!
With all you’ve accomplished, we’re so excited to learn more about how your musical journey began. What can you share with us about the origins of your profound career?
Charis: My musical journey began as a little girl, singing in the choir, recording with prominent gospel artists, and traveling internationally. After working in the government as a special contractor and becoming a Director of Development, I decided to release my first album, entitled “Introducing Miss Jones” in 2015. In 2016, I created and hosted the I.A.G. (Independent Artist Goals) Radio Show to support other independent artists by providing an entertainment platform to share and showcase their artistry and as they say, the rest is history.
As a world-renowned music artist, what would you say you’re best known for?
Charis: I am best known for my GoGo Remixes that fuse RnB and Jazz elements into one.
What would you say you’ve dedicated your time to as of late?
Charis: As a former Adjunct Professor and High School Teacher for over 7 years, I’ve dedicated my time to informing students on how to balance their dreams while pursuing their career goals.
In 2021, I resigned as an Educator and moved across the country on a full scholarship to pursue a degree in vocal performance at the LA College of Music. Thus far, I have acquired music syncs for movies, acted in several stage plays, and starred in my first movie as the lead character. Her latest single, I Like Dat GoGo is growing in notoriety, as this is the first single that I co-produced and arranged vocals and instrumentation. This song has been featured on Da Brat’s, Grammy Award Winning Rapper’s “For Y’all Volume 1” Mixtape, spotlighted via the Essence of Soul Radio Show in London, and on WHUR 96.3FM as their Hometown Heat Artist.
Who are your musical influences?
Charis: My musical influences are Jazz, R&B, Gospel, and Neo-Soul.
What else would you like our readers to know about you?
Charis: This year I was appointed as the lead vocalist for the first-ever all DMV musician-based LA GoGo Band, called “DCAF;” and is slated to release my highly anticipated sophomore album “Unstoppable” mid-Summer.
Do you believe in work-life balance? If so, how do you maintain it?
Charis: I do believe in work-life balance, as a Taurus, I am secretly a homebody and I feel most comfortable watching a new show, singing around the house, going out to eat, and being in the water or watching the ocean. It’s so calming for me. I love to travel, I hate the process of getting there but I love the destination aspect of woosahing. I secretly need a vacation, as I have just been on the go non-stop since graduation on March 25th but definitely since moving to LA. I maintain this by running away to the ocean when I am feeling overwhelmed, lost, and need to be grounded. I love to cook and cook for friends as well.
If you could perform with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?
Charis: My word if I could perform with any artist in the world it would be Chaka Khan, Fantasia, TWEET, Jazmine Sullivan, Moonchild, and whoever would feel would be a great pairing for us to collaborate. I want to work with anyone that takes their craft seriously and wants to make great music with substance. All the women listed above have always been my favorite artists, and people from time to time will make mention hearing a little bit of them in my voice. Honored, to say the least. And I love Moonchild because of their musical acuity and just dynamic sounds and harmonies. It’s a whole vibe. There are so many other artists that would be remarkable.
Upcoming: The next DCAF GoGo Band show will occur in LA on May 6th. Charis is currently in talks about performing for a breast cancer awareness musical festival. Stay tuned. In the meantime, Follow on Instagram: