Born in Ghana, Rhian has a strong musical heritage. Not only were her father and
grandfather acclaimed jazz musicians in the African state, but her Welsh mother,
Glenda Chivers from Ogmore Vale, used to sing in pubs and clubs around the South
Wales valleys.
"She was just singing all sorts of covers but she definitely has a jazz
voice," says Rhian. "She was the one who turned me on to Nancy Wilson, so I have
to credit her with bringing a lot of jazz heritage to my musical influences."
In fact Rhian may never have taken up music as a career had it not been for
her mother's serious illness.
Rhian had come to study in America after giving up her job in a merchant bank
in London. But she came home when her mother fell ill and started working on
songs while staying with her.
Eventually
she plucked up enough courage to try out her singing skills at an open mike
night in a London club. "It took a few visits for me to get up there and do
something," remembers Rhian. "But I got through it somehow and kept going back,
getting more relaxed." One night she was spotted by some record company bosses
from Los Angeles who signed her up and persuaded her to relocate to the States.
Her debut album Gold Coast co-produced by Cardiff-born bassist Pino
Palladino has now been released in the US.
Other musicians involved have worked with Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, and
Rhian's music is very much in a similar laid-back vein of funky, jazzy soul.
Visit Rhian's website to
find out more about her work.
