Biography
Christie Nicole Dashiell, born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Greenville, North Carolina, grew up immersed in music as the third of four children of jazz bassist Carroll Dashiell Jr., chair of Howard University's Music Department. She began singing from a young age in a deeply musical family and honed her skills studying jazz voice at Howard University, where she performed with the premier vocal jazz ensemble Afro-Blue, including a national appearance on NBC's The Sing-Off. She continued her education at the Manhattan School of Music and participated in the 2014 Strathmore Artist in Residence program, which helped shape her solo identity.
Fun Facts
- Received DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards twice as Outstanding Soloist and Best Vocalist in the Graduate College division.
- Semifinalist in the 2015 Thelonious Monk Institute International Vocals Competition.
- Performed with legends including Nancy Wilson, Geri Allen, Smokey Robinson, Esperanza Spalding, and Fred Hammond.
- Her album Journey in Black received a five-star review in DownBeat Magazine and a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2025.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Dianne Reeves - Creative guidance as NEA Jazz Master (Journey in Black)
Key Collaborators
- Carroll Dashiell Jr. - Father and jazz bassist (Journey in Black)
- Marquis Hill - Trumpeter and frequent collaborator (Journey in Black, The Way We Play) [2010s-2023]
- Shedrick Mitchell - Pianist (Journey in Black)
- Allyn Johnson - Pianist (Journey in Black)
- Romeir Mendez - Bassist (Journey in Black)
- Carroll Dashiell III - Brother and bassist (Journey in Black)
- Wynton Marsalis - Featured with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (The Ever Fonky Lowdown) [2010s]
- Sweet Honey in the Rock - Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble (Various performances) [2010s]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
CHRISTIE DASHIELL has been played 9 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.