The Delightful Divas
Toronto’s “The Delightful Divas,” is an a cappella ensemble featuring African Canadian vocalists Shelley Hamilton, Phyllis Hamilton, and Tricia Williams. Their vast repertoire samples from comedic parodies to melodic African chants. The harmonious trio incorporates jazz, fork, country, familiar pop favourites and humourous original spin-offs on contemporary pieces.
Herstory:
It was a dark and stormy night in the year of our lord 1872. I was a mere child of 12, walking alone down Paddingtons’s Lane, not aware of the doom that was to befall me…
But seriously, the real story is…
We formed out of a request to perform at a benefit. We had never worked together as a trio, but we were keen to try something new musically, so with that we three got together, learned six songs in three part harmony, and The delightful Divas were born! However, we worked those six songs for the 1st year of our existence!
The feedback from the benefit was so positive, we were invited to perform at another show. They asked us “do you do comedy?” and suddenly the answer was “yes!” So we co-wrote several comedic parodies, which allowed us to grow and develop as a group. And we’re happy to say, we’re still growing, developing, and evolving with our own “Diva-unique” style!
Shelley is a singer, actor & writer with a remarkably impressive and diverse repertoire. She has been a featured performer at the Toronto Jazz festival for 8 years. With performances on Rita McNeil and Friends, The Anne Murray Christmas Special, The Comedy Network, Treehouse TV’s Ants In Your Pants, CBC’s The Newsroom & Stormy Weather, and Breakfast Television, Shelley’s musical talents have taken her as far as Japan, the Netherlands, the Caribbean, the Middle East, as well as Canada & the USA. Her debut CD “Feeling Good” was released to great acclaim at CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, and her one woman show by the same name which she wrote and produced, debuted to rave reviews at The Atlantic fringe Festival in 2004. Shelley thinks it’s a delight to be creating with the Divas!
Phyllis and Shelley have been singing together since they were young, so she was a logical and relaxed fit into the group. It was her love of music that inspired her to study clarinet in school, and pursue singing with various choirs and other small vocal ensembles in Nova Scotia. In Toronto she sang back up and lead vocals for the band “Skinny & Fuzzy” and back up vocals in Sandra Caldwell’s One Woman Show “The Guide to Being Fabulous After You’ve Skinned Your Knees”. With a natural ear for harmonies & beat box, and an organic instinct with instruments, she was able to teach herself guitar & melodies of songs instantly! (All which make her older sister Shelley quite jealous!) Phyllis is thrilled to be part of such a delightful group!
Tricia is an actor, comic, and writer, as well as a singer. Her recent television appearances include Plague City, Doc, Listen Missy, Skylight, Blue Murder, Insight, Foolish Heart, Twitch City, Go Girl, and The Dish Show. Tricia’s film credits include Motel, Blues Brothers 200, The Third Twin, Blind Faith, and Mrs. Hobson’s Dilemma. Stage work includes She Never Bought me An Easy Bake Oven, Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God, You’re The Best…Really and actor/writer in the Dora winning play The Martha Stewart Projects. Tricia is pleased to be singing delightful melodies with the Divas!
To contact The Divas, go to their website:
Shelley Hamilton is a well known singer, actor, host, manager, and writer. If you need someone who knows the entertainment industry in it's many forms - you've come to the right place. Shelley also works as the notorious "Wardrobe Shark" helping people eliminate their worst clothing - one closet at a time!