Claire Phillips

BIO

Claire Phillips is a vocalist, songwriter, producer and musician is recognized and respected as one of the country’s most talented artists. Hailing from Belhar, a gang and drug-infested suburb on the cape flats in Cape Town, South Africa.

Claire began singing as a toddler and grew into a power-house vocalist. Referred to by many as a “musical genius”. She has the ability to play the guitar, piano, saxophone, drums and bass guitar but gravitates towards her electric, semi acoustic and acoustic guitar as her instruments of choice.

Claire is recognised and respected as a vocalist, songwriter, producer and artist. What makes Claire’s musical process an experience that can literally be felt in your core is the fact that, her process is raw and real. She has built a reputation for starting a new song with just a bass line, what follows is the creation of a perfect melody and lyrics that flow naturally.

Claire’s childhood was marked with painful experiences that would have crumbled many strong human beings and sent them into hiding. But not this extraordinary artist! She has broken boundaries and records with her undying, unrelenting and passionate determination to tell her story and others through each chord, melody and lyric that she puts down.

Even though Claire completed her Business Studies at Tygerberg College her true calling to music rang louder then ever. From the young toddler that opted to hang out with her dad and his band instead of playing on the road with the other kids Claire has flourished into a musical mastermind, whose repertoire has seen her crossing various genres with grace and style over the more then a decade that she has been performing professionally.Her first foray onto the professional stage was as a cover artist, but she opted to write, produce, arrange and build her own repertoire. She completed her debut album "Say my Name" produced by Claire Phillips and Patrick “Caramel" Hickey. With Claire's ability to mesmerize audiences, her instantly recognizable voice and unique style she has received standing ovations across the country selling out thousands of seats for her live performances.

Her ability to transport listeners to a different space in time, rapidly elevated her album to the top of the S.A. Charts. In 2007 Claire's album was nominated for a SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARD" SAMA" in the category of Best R&B / Soul album, which she undoubtedly won making history and became the first Female South African artist to win a SAMA for a debut album. Her various accolades and nominations for awards like women in excellence (music category) has made her a force to be reckoned with.

Claire has performed alongside the most renowned south African artist such as Lira, Zama Jobe, Freshlyground, Oskido and loyiso bala to name but a few, she has also graced the stages internationally alongside artist like Jonas Rendbo.. (Norway) Eddie Grant (Caribbean), Dianne Reeves (London) Kenny crucial keys Mbanda (Kenya) and Rachelle Ferrel (Milan, Italy).

Claire Launced her second album “By Request” and this too was nominated for a SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARD ‘SAMA’ and continues to leave listeners in awe of her musical gifts. She is currently in studio working on her much anticipated third album and her love affair with music and the arts continues to drive and motivate her to aspire to everything that she has ever envisioned for herself and her outstanding musical career. Claire says “Music is my freedom and allows me to explore every part of my emotion and musicality”.