THE CHANTELS

THE CHANTELS.............  SING IN 2000

NEW YORK, N.Y.; Singing In the millennium, THE CHANTELS are back on the Rhythm & Blues music track , capturing audiences all over the world with their, soft unique sound. The three originals, Lois Harris Powell, Sonia Goring Wilson and Renee Minus White continue to sing in beautiful harmony with Ami Ortiz, the newest member, who belts out a strong lead on the group's top hits like "Maybe," "Look In My Eyes," and "I Love You So." Jackie Landry Jackson, another valued original member of THE CHANTELS died from Breast Cancer two years ago.  The Chantels Webpage is dedicated her memory.

The group's recent live performance on New Yorks PBS station WNET TV for the network's Holiday'99 fund raiser, "Doo Wop 50," which featured the best vocal R & B stars of the 1950s, received rave reviews nationwide.

THE CHANTELS have appeared at Pittsburgh's 3-River's Stadium with The Four Tops, The Westbury Music Fair on Long Island, and The Music Hall in Tarrytown, N.Y., where they produced a benefit to preserve Christ Episcopal Church, the historic house of worship of Washington Irving, a well-known author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." They are also featured in the celebrated "Doo Wop Is Alive" photo unveiled on Thursday, Februalry 3 at Washington, D.C.'s Smithsonian Institute, as a salute to the pioneers of Rhythm & Blues. They were greeted as the "Sweethearts of the Era"!"

THE CHANTELS launched their singing careers in 1956 on New York City's Broadway, where they were discovered by Richard Barrett, lead singer of The Valentines. All five of THE CHANTELS attended St. Anthony of Padua's Elementary School In Bronx, N.Y., and were members of St. Anthony's Church choir. Their unique sound was rooted from the Institution's liturgical music.

Barrett recorded THE CHANTELS, Arlene Smith, Lois Harris, Jackie Landry, Sonia Goring and Renee Minus on George Goldner's End Record label. "He's Gone" and "The Plea started them off. Their major hit "Maybe" made THE CHANTELS stars overnight.  

In 1959, Arlene Smith, the original lead, went solo. THE CHANTELS didn't skip a beat and in 1962 introduced Annette Smith for the group's recording of "Look In My Eyes" on Carlton Records which hit the top of the charts.

In 1995, THE CHANTELS were inducted into the United In Group Harmony Association's (UGHA) "Hall of Fame" at Symphony Space In New York City. It was the first time THE CHANTELS reunited and shared a stage with both Annette Smith and Arlene Smith in years. Some say It was a "Kodak Moment."

The Rhythm & Blues Foundation honored THE CHANTELS with the '1996 Pioneer Award" at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California, an official part of the "Grammy Awards" celebration. It was another memorable moment for THE CHANTELS.

Throughout the years, the group's unique harmony has remained the same. Today, THE CHANTELS realize the importance of sharing their beautiful sound and music with the world. These women are legends of our time. When you hear them live, they bring back such sweet memories!

The Chantels 1958     

Chantels Concert Photos

Chantels 1 photo is from a concert at the Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY on June 20, 1998.  The remaining photos are from the "Heroines of R&B - Symphony Space, NYC March 19, 2000

Chantels 1 Chantels 2 Chantels 3 Chantels 4 Chantels 5
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If you want to inquire about upcoming Chantels engagements or booking information,

please send an e-mail  to  <MNHATMARTY@AOL.COM>