Biography
Vocalist Shea Chambers has built a reputation through her work that blends crossover appeal with pop, R&B, and jazz elements. She first drew notice in the industry by providing uncredited vocals for the 1981 movie version of “Endless Love,” which appeared in the film of that title. Her collaborations have included Barry White, Steve Salas, and José Feliciano. The 2009 release Shea marked her debut as a solo artist.
She was born Sheila Gay Chambers in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and spent her childhood in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where instruction in piano, violin, and dance formed part of her early training. During adolescence her focus shifted toward singing, leading her to take leading roles and handle choreography for high-school stage productions such as West Side Story. She performed with a local ensemble prior to relocating to Los Angeles in pursuit of professional opportunities. While there she held assorted positions, among them a receptionist post at MCA Whitney Recording Studio in Glendale. During that time she formed a connection with Barry White’s arranger Gene Page, who helped her cut a demo EP produced by Leon Ware. The project resulted in her recording of Lionel Richie’s “Endless Love,” used within the 1981 film Endless Love, though she received no on-screen credit and the track was omitted from the official soundtrack. Additional studio engagements followed, supplying backing vocals for Barry White, Alan Hewitt, Steve Salas, and other artists.
Chambers expanded into television, with on-screen appearances in Dharma & Greg, 7th Heaven, and The Arsenio Hall Show, and served as music supervisor for Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Boston Public, and additional series. She maintained her recording activity under the name Shea, issuing the 2009 album Shea that mixed pop, R&B, and jazz selections. Session contributions continued as well, notably a 2012 duet with José Feliciano on the ballad “I’m So Glad We Met,” which earned an early Grammy nomination in the Best Duet by a Duo or Group category.
She was born Sheila Gay Chambers in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and spent her childhood in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where instruction in piano, violin, and dance formed part of her early training. During adolescence her focus shifted toward singing, leading her to take leading roles and handle choreography for high-school stage productions such as West Side Story. She performed with a local ensemble prior to relocating to Los Angeles in pursuit of professional opportunities. While there she held assorted positions, among them a receptionist post at MCA Whitney Recording Studio in Glendale. During that time she formed a connection with Barry White’s arranger Gene Page, who helped her cut a demo EP produced by Leon Ware. The project resulted in her recording of Lionel Richie’s “Endless Love,” used within the 1981 film Endless Love, though she received no on-screen credit and the track was omitted from the official soundtrack. Additional studio engagements followed, supplying backing vocals for Barry White, Alan Hewitt, Steve Salas, and other artists.
Chambers expanded into television, with on-screen appearances in Dharma & Greg, 7th Heaven, and The Arsenio Hall Show, and served as music supervisor for Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Boston Public, and additional series. She maintained her recording activity under the name Shea, issuing the 2009 album Shea that mixed pop, R&B, and jazz selections. Session contributions continued as well, notably a 2012 duet with José Feliciano on the ballad “I’m So Glad We Met,” which earned an early Grammy nomination in the Best Duet by a Duo or Group category.
Albums
