Hazel Fernandes & Valerie Etienne both members of Jamiroquai star on vocals with a internationally renowned band who have performed with Al Hudson, Archie Bell, Kashif and many more
Hazel has worked in the UK with many artists both on their live stage shows (such as Tom Jones (last UK Tour), Tina Turner (showcase), Gabrielle, Tina Arena, Alexander O'Neal, Dina Carroll, Belinda Carlisle, Jocelyn Brown, Michelle Gayle and Jamiroquai) and their albums (such as Stereophonics, Chris De Burgh, Kula Shaker, Status Quo, Jesus Jones, Sarah Brightman, Brand New Heavies, Kim Wilde, Maxi Priest, and various unsigned artists). She has also been involved in film soundtracks such as Jesus Christ Superstar and done music for British commercials like Pepe Jeans and Toyota. TV appearances include: Parkinson, MTV, The Brit Awards and Noel's House Party.
Hazel Fernandes is a British music artist currently signed to Grape Records. She is well known for her song "Number One" that featured on the anime BLEACH.
Valerie has worked very successfully in the industry for more than 25 years working with Jamiroquai for nearly 20 of those years.She has sung with an eclectic mix of artists including Kylie Minogue , Boyzone , Bryan Ferry,Lenny Kravitz Leon Ware, Marlena Shaw , Bill Withers ,Al Jarreau & many more .
Valerie was an original member of the group Galliano on Gilles Petersen’s cult Talking Loud label with which she recorded 5 albums & toured with over a seven year period.She recorded a solo album on the One Little Indian Label .. and went on to record 4 albums with her husband Rob Gallagher as 2banksof4 on the Sirkus , Red Egyptian & Jazzanova labels.
She recently recorded a track for the Horsemeat Disco organisation for Defected record.
Nile is known in the industry as the funky guitarist, co-founder and primary songwriter of Chic, one of the biggest and most influential bands of the funk and disco era.
Nile’s funky guitar style is very recognisable and widely imitated. His time, groove and feel are what you would associate with the very best in pop, funk and disco music.
Chic’s very first major hit was ‘Everybody Dance’ in 1977, this was followed by ‘Le Freak’ which was also a number one hit in 1978. Chic stamped their reputation as the best commercial funk band of all time, when in 1979 they released ‘Good Times.’ Later ton in the same year, ‘The Sugarhill Gang’ used the groove from ‘Good Times’ on what was the first hip-hop single ‘Rapper’s Delight.’ Nile Rodgers played a huge part in developing an entirely new genre of music. During the same period Nile was to start producing, co-writing, and recording guitar for other artistes. He penned massive global hits for Sister Sledge and in 1980 gave the phenomenal Diana Ross a musical makeover for her major hit album Diana. His work and collaborations also formed the basis of some major rap songs that were to be released some years later. ‘The Greatest Dancer’ became Will Smiths ‘Get’ Jiggy With It’ and “I’m Coming Out” became ‘Mo Money, Mo Problems’ performed by Puff Daddy.
In 1983 Nile worked with David Bowie on his record Let’s Dance. The record became one of DB’s biggest commercial hits and is now arguably one of his most known songs. Nile was also asked to produce the song ‘Original Sin,’ which was the band INXS first major hit in the USA. Responsible for the production on ‘Notorious’ and ‘The Reflex’ he also played a huge part in Duran Duran’s massive career, these titles being two of the bands’ biggest worldwide hits.
Nile’s awesome input on ‘Like A Virgin,’ Madonna’s 2nd album release, set his reputation in stone, as one of the best record producers of the 1980s. The album literally catapulted Madonna to superstar fame with smash hit single releases, ‘Like A Virgin’ and ‘Material Girl.
Nile Rodgers has produced literally dozens of other records, including working with Stevie Winwood, Al Jarreau, Grace Jones, and Cyndi Lauper. In 1989, he co-produced The B-52’s comeback LP Cosmic Thing that features the timeless worldwide success ‘Love Shack.’
His most recent of collaborations was when Daft Punk discovered an old Chic record and were inspired to invite Rodgers to work with them on their hit album ‘Random Access Memories.’
The end result was the global smash hit ‘Get Lucky,’ featuring Pharrell Williams. This was Daft Punk’s biggest ever hit record. Nile Rodgers also played on three other songs from the album, and introduced his skills to a whole new generation of fans.
