Sherieta Lewis

Sherieta Lewis, sometimes professionally identified as Sherieta, is a soul and reggae musician from Jamaica.[1] She worked as a backing singer beginning in the mid-2000s, released some solo singles in the 2010s, and her debut EP, titled "Conversations in Key", in 2019.[1]

Biography

Sherieta Lewis is a pastor's daughter, and sang in church as a child.[1] She began a degree in Popular Music Studies at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, but left before graduating.[2] While still a student in college in the 2000s she found a position as a backup singer to reggae musician Tarrus Riley, with whom she toured internationally.[1] In the following years she also sang backing vocals for Marcia Griffiths, Duane Stephenson, and Diane King. She also worked as a songwriter and session musician for those musicians and others, including Damian Marley and Jah Cure.[1] In the 2010s she released a handful of solo singles, on labels including Penthouse Records and Island Star. These included a cover of "Love Has Found Its Way" by Dennis Brown.[3] She collaborated with Sean Diedrick, a keyboardist and fellow member of Marley's band, to release her debut EP, titled "Conversations in Key", in 2019. Lewis was billed mononymously as "Sherieta" on the record.[1] The record contained seven songs, and was released on the Ghetto Youths International, run by the Marley family. The music on the record contained elements of soul, jazz, reggae, and R&B: Lewis referred to her sound as "exotique soul".[1] She has cited Damian Marley, India Arie, and Beres Hammond as influences.[2] She has sung with the ensemble music project Playing for Change.[4] She continued to perform with Marley's band after releasing "Conversations in Key".[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Monger, Timothy. "Sherieta Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b "The Exotique Soul of Sherieta Lewis". Jamaica Observer. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Breaking away". Jamaica Gleaner. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Musicians Archive". Playing For Change. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Sherieta Lewis takes centre stage with exotic soul". Jamaica Observer. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2023.