Chantay Savage

Born to a jazz musician, Chicago-raised R&B vocalist Chantay Savage absorbed the jazz and soul traditions of artists such as Sarah Vaughn, Chaka Khan, and Marvin Gaye while growing up. Drawn to the music that filled her environment, she launched her performing path by entering a local club’s open mic contest, ultimately claiming victory eight times and converting that momentum into session work as a musician, singer, and songwriter for performers including CeCe Peniston.

Her vocal contributions to Peniston’s single “We Got a Love Thang” secured a contract with RCA Records and resulted in the 1993 self-titled debut, which included further hit singles such as “Give It to Ya” and “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head.” Savage also arranged vocals and sang for acts like Brazen, Associate, and Vertical Hold, and she issued her second album, 1995’s I Will Survive, featuring her reinterpretation of Gloria Gaynor’s disco classic. That release revealed a more personal dimension of her artistry, which she pursued further on 1999’s This Time Around by writing every lyric and playing both piano and drums.