PHOENIX began her musical studies at the Dr. John A. Martin School of Music, won and retained a four year position in Chicago's All-City Chorus, and went on to become a member of the Augustana College Choir, Rock Island, Illinois.
Among her career highlights, Phoenix (who performed under the name Princess Ladia for 10 years) has performed with nationally acclaimed Grammy Award winner Albert Collins, W.C. Handy lifetime award winner Robert Lockwood Jr., and SAFFIRE. She was also the first act to perform at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame (9/1/95) in Cleveland,Oh. Since returning to her native Chicago, she has performed with many internationally known Chicago based musicians.
Phoenix is also a jazz radio host for the University of Chicago radio station WHPK 88.5 The show is called Jazz in Flight, and airs on alternate Tuesdays from 7-9pm. See show's website: www.jazzinflight.com
Phoenix Hamilton
PHOENIX began her musical studies at the Dr. John A. Martin School of Music, won and retained a four year position in Chicago's All-City Chorus, and went on to become a member of the Augustana College Choir, Rock Island, Illinois.
Among her career highlights, Phoenix (who performed under the name Princess Ladia for 10 years) has performed with nationally acclaimed Grammy Award winner Albert Collins, W.C. Handy lifetime award winner Robert Lockwood Jr., and SAFFIRE. She was also the first act to perform at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame (9/1/95) in Cleveland,Oh. Since returning to her native Chicago, she has performed with many internationally known Chicago based musicians.
Her personal mission: To infuse the vocal styling of the past, with music of the present as a rich thread in the fabric of her performance style.
Recently, Phoenix was selected to portray Dinah Washington in a play at the DuSable Museum "Back in the Day II". She is also a jazz radio host for the University of Chicago radio station WHPK 88.5 The show is called Jazz in Flight, and airs on alternate Tuesdays from 7-9pm.
See the shows' website: www.jazzinflight.com.
In addition to her career as a performer & host of a radio show, Phoenix has a lifelong dedication to music and educating youth about the various creative art choices that wait their embrace. Her major concern is that these young people receive encouragement and support in developing their artistic abilities. Phoenix and her husband, Zimbabu recently founded an organization aptly named Artist Empowerment Opportunities Inc.,. The mission of the organization is to empower endeavors among artists to enjoy an effective lifestyle and to provide viable communication regarding essential aspects of the community of the creative arts.
Highlight Engagements in the Chicago Area - Andys’, Heartland Café, Jackson Park Yacht Club,
Newberry Library,Burnham Yacht Club, Palmer House, The Map Room, Chateau Bushe, CanTV live taping for Thread the Needle, Olympia Fields Country Club, WVON Evening of Jazz w/ Cliff Kelley, Avalon Park Fieldhouse – Creative Arts Workshop for youths & their parents.
Influences: Ruth Brown, Bessie Smith, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughan, KoKo Taylor, Etta James, Dinah Washington, Dakota Staton,
Carmen McCrae, Nancy Wilson, Betty Carter, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin,
Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Anita Baker, Jill Scott, Miriam Anderson, Mahalia Jackson