Episode 31 - Yolanda Charles

Songwriting For Songwriters

When an artist’s resume boasts of a pedigree like that of Yolanda’s – from Top 40 Pop, soul, rock, jazz, studio recordings, film soundtracks, TV shows, and from stadium tours to intimate jazz club engagements, it’s obvious that we are talking about one of the most well respected, in demand, creative and eclectic, multi-genre talents working in music today.

Yolanda Charles started her career playing for Jimmy Sommerville (The Communards) and then quickly became the bass foundation of various groups in the burgeoning ‘acid jazz’ scene of the early 1990’s including Raw Stylus and Urban Species, swiftly securing her reputation as the ‘go to’ bass player resulting in her remarkable career as a session musician for the next 30 years.

From 2010 onwards saw Yolanda continue to be the first call for many recording sessions and live performances with the incredible list of headline names above –and also became Musical Director for ex-Eurythmic Dave Stewart’s London appearances and feature in the TV house bands for shows hosted by Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs) & Nicole Scherzinger (Pussy Cat Dolls).

In 2018 Yolanda broadened her scope of work accepting engagements with Laura Mvula, Mercury Award nominee Eska, pianist Tomasz Bura’s Jazz Fusion quartet, and the trio of Brian Jackson, Gil Scott-Heron’s co-writer. And as if to demonstrate her eclectic and varied talents, she then recorded and toured with the legendary British band Squeeze from 2017 to 2020

For 6 years Yolanda performed and recorded with the incomparable composer Hans Zimmer touring Europe, the South Pacific region and the US. Working on various film soundtracks including “A Knight’s Tale” “Alfie” “Home” “War on Everyone” & “Boss Baby I & II’ and “DUNE”

Yolanda has worked with Hans Zimmer, BB King, Mick Jagger, Paul Weller, Squeeze, Robbie Williams, Sting, Dave Stewart, Queen, Anastasia, Lulu, Heather Small, Natasha Bedingfield, Sinead O’Connor, Daryl Hall, Marcella Detroit, Pops Mohammed, Alison Moyet, Desert Eagle Discs, Aztec Camera, Gabrielle, Robbie Williams, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Somerville, Roger Daltrey, Van Morrison, Michael Jackson, Laura Mvula, Eska, Cathy Dennis, Leee John, Brian Jackson

Check out all her music here: https://g4dz.com/about/