Inspired by Sarah Vaughn, Brooklyn native Charenee Wade began singing jazz at the age of 12. Through her years of intense studies in jazz and classical music, she has grown to become a notable singer, composer, arranger and educator. She completed her Master’s Degree at Manhattan School of Music. Charenee has been featured in many configurations from jazz trios to Big Band to the Conservatory’s 100-piece Jazz Philharmonia Orchestra.

Charenee has received various scholarships including the ASCAP Foundation Award and Scholarship and the International Women in Jazz’s Youth in Jazz Award. She has studied with Miles Griffith, Bob Stewart, Lenora Zenzailai Helm, Pamela Baskin-Watson, Carmen Lundy, and is currently studying with Peter Eldridge, Luciana Souza, and Cecil Bridgewater. Charenee Wade taught at New Orleans Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Jazz Camp at Loyola College, Brooklyn Charter School, Centrum Jazz Port-Townsend Workshop, and The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Charenee is currently a professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music, City College, with the Jazzmobile Workshop program. She teaches various workshops and clinics and was an esteemed judge for the 2010 Jazzmobile Vocal Competition, alongside Dr. Billy Taylor and Grady Tate.

“her vocal style melding the suppleness of Dianne Reeves with the spirit of Abbey Lincoln.”
- JazzTimes

“High craft… a risk taking attitude suited to the soul-on-fire messages.”
- DownBeat

“Ms. Wade is a jazz singer of commanding skill, an heir to the legacies of Betty Carter and Carmen McRae.”
- The New York Times