SANDRA REAVES-PHILLIPS

“International singer/actress was born in Mullins, South Carolina. She sang in church and entered talent contests when she arrived in New York City. After performing in talent shows and singing in clubs around New York City, she landed a contract with Sue Records, “YOU SUCCEEDED” and “WORLD WITHOUT SUNSHINE” (EMI – reissued).

Then signed to EPIC/OKEH Records “HOPING YOU’LL COME BACK”. Canyon Records “TOO MANY PEOPLE IN ONE BED” (reissued) Divas of Soul. Her last single was “MISS FAT BACK” Brown Dog/Mainstream Records. In pursuit of her dreams, she studied acting and won the female leading role Off-Broadway in “LITTLE BIT”, garnered critical and audience acclaim as Mama Younger in the Broadway musical RAISIN. Ms. Reaves-Phillips received a Drama League Recognition Award for ROLLIN’ ON THE T.O.B.A. on Broadway. She co-starred at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris in the original production of BLACK AND BLUE.

Her numerous stage appearances include AMERICAN DREAMS at the Negro Ensemble Company, CHAMPEEN, in which she starred as Bessie Smith, winning an Audelco Award for an outstanding female performer, and the title role in the Citadel Theatre and Pittsburgh Public Theatre productions of MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM. Other stage appearances include BEFORE IT HITS HOME at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., FURTHER MO at New York’s Village Gate, the national tours of ONE MO’TIME!, MISS MOFFAT, DON’T PLAY US CHEAP, and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS.

Off-Broadway she was featured in BLUES IN THE NIGHT, BASIN STREET, and STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY, and co-authored OPENING NIGHT. She performed at The Cotton Club, The Supper Club, The Village Gate, Dangerfield’s and Sweetwaters in New York, the Cinegrill in Hollywood, and the Grospchenoper in Frankfurt, the Meridien L’Etoile in Paris, Jaylins in Switzerland, and The Casino in Lucerne.

Sandra made her Carnegie Hall debut in CAVALCADE OF STARS and performed in the W.C. HANDY ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE at Lincoln Center. She continues to tour her show: BOLD & BRASSY BLUES, GLORY HALLELUJAH GOSPEL!, and LATE GREAT LADIES OF BLUES AND JAZZ. She appeared at the Montreal Jazz Festival, The International Jazz Festival of Bern, Switzerland, The North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, and the International Festival of Lyon, France. Her film credits include ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT and LEAN ON ME in which she sang the title song. Radio audiences have heard her on Garrison Keillor’s PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION.

Additionally, she appeared as Mamma Zanni in San Francisco’s long-running TEATRO ZINZANNI, guested with the late Ray Charles in concert at West Point, sang for the President of China at the invitation of Mayor Willie Brown of San Francisco, toured in Europe with her Gospel Show, sang for an audience of 8,000 at the Vatican and had a private audience with the late Pope. Ms. Reaves-Phillips has been nominated for two Helen Hayes Awards and the NAACP Image Award.“