Claire Phillips

Having started singing at the age of 4, Claire Phillips is the original lady of song from the Cape Flats. Claire’s voice can best be described as “smooth and velvety”, especially laced with a strong mixture of jazz, rhythm and ballads, soul and funk. Claire Phillips’ music originates from the influence of the Western Cape, especially the fairest Cape of All, Cape Town where she was born on the 16th of March 1982.

This Pisces at an early age understood that she had a gift for music and mastered various musical instruments for which she has her parents to thank. Her family background is extremely musical and Claire acknowledges that she has been surrounded with music from her earliest memory. Today Claire leads her own band, primarily as a vocalist, but also as the leading guitarist (both electric, rhythm and acoustic) and is supported by South Africa base guitarist, Andre Hope and “Junior”, a drummer from the Congo.

In 2003 Claire started performing and singing with the well known cover band “Loading Zone” after being spotted by the band’s lead member who fell madly in love with Claire’s vocal ranges, her ability to write her own music and her sheer “chutzpah” on stage. It was these qualities that made Claire gain recognition and respect around respected jazz musicians like Jimmy Dludlu, Abdullah Ibrahim, music and jazz critics and jazz lovers alike.

Having performed for a year for “Loading Zone”, singing covers, Claire felt confident enough to pursue a solo career in an industry which is extremely unforgiving and, furthermore, not well biased to the furtherance of women’s careers.

Says Claire, “I decided in 2004 to leave the cover industry and focus on writing, arranging and performing my own music” (Joy of Jazz SABC2).

Claire’s sound, which in the context of the South Africa of today, is unique, would stand as a testament to South Africa’s ability to produce talent to a standard which not only equals, but can exceed international levels. Graeme Rooke, Claire’s manager, states, “We will release Claire not only locally, regionally, nationally but, more importantly, internationally as an ambassadress for South Africa’s talent. Her sound is self-explanatory, but can most probably be described as being suited to the more matured ear, which, as is generally recognised worldwide, is enjoying an ever-expanding market appeal”.

The release of her much anticipated debut album is imminent and Claire, who is in the process or relocating from Cape Town to Johannesburg, is ready to take on the world.

Critics listening to her last session were left speechless …

Despite the numerous accolades that Claire has received from various critics, both local and international, she remains unfazed, humble and well rooted in her identity as a South African. She is ambitious and dedicated to her craft and is a person who will in all likelihood become a national treasure.

Notwithstanding all of this, Claire remains determined, not only to become a megastar in her own right for herself, but also for her country.