Carrie Cleveland, a Rio Vista resident since 2001, is making her debut after 45 years.
Many years ago, Cleveland was an Oakland resident and regular performer at hotels and clubs around the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1970s. Her first recording is also considered to be her best. It was a self-produced promotional 45-rpm record featuring two songs, with one being “I Need Love.” Both songs were written by her husband, Bill Cleveland.
These recordings were later commercially released as a 45 but were remastered with an electronic keyboard that was deemed to be excessively loud and less soulful than the original, making the promo much more desirable. Cleveland released an LP titled “Looking Up,” which also contained many of her singles.
Heston, Cleveland’s son, is the only one who can promote his parents’ exceptional musical compositions. It is he alone who makes his parents’ talents visible by honoring them in a never-ending, time-consuming promotional campaign. Heston’s relentless efforts to make his mother’s talents visible have afforded them appearances on television, in articles, and receptions at Bay Area record stores. Eventually having the chance to record with current producers.
In the spring of 2022, just after celebrating her 81st birthday, Cleveland embarked upon a renewed recording experience. The Bay Area-based music duo of K. E. Dorham and Ricardo Love recognized Mrs. Cleveland’s previous accomplishments and were overwhelmed by the sustained vocal abilities of the songstress. What an amazing opportunity to record with a legend, one who had accumulated a following across the world unbeknownst to the Cleveland family!
With the idea of crowning Cleveland, The Underground Queen of Disco, Black Nova pulled out the stops in producing The Sleeping Queen with a modern sound. etching her into the minds of the listener and by treating her as the truest of fans. Her EP titled ‘Beauty Nap: Google Me’ is a fusion of music tracks that collectively supply its listeners with G-Funk, R&B, House, Techno, and Jazz. A remix of her classics produced by Ricardo Love will make you seek dance partners from a base of enemies. Black Nova Entertainment provides you with music videos that paint a portrait of Carrie Cleveland to compliment her timeless vocals.
Lend your undivided attention to Mrs. Carrie return to the world of entertainment after a rest that has allowed generations to be born in between. She’s back from a 45-year-long beauty nap to capture your ear forever more. See Carrie Cleveland as she takes the stage in the city where it all began for The Cleveland’s… in Oakland, California.
Plan to attend the Eastside Art Alliance Center, 2277 International Blvd., at noon on February 17, 2024. Carrie Cleveland is music, and the music lives on. You can pay at the door; admission is $10.
