About Chaye Alexander
Chaye Alexander is a Creative Producer, Entrepreneur and Owner of Chayz Lounge, the live jazz venue located downtown Columbia, SC. The venue's intimate, elegant setting invites patrons to experience the finest talents Jazz and rhythm & blues acts the way it was meant to be… Up close and personal. Chaye is also the Founder of Chayz Lounge Radio, the online radio station that delivers smooth R&B and jazz 24/7!
The Beginning
Many of us love music and that love manifests in different ways —we learn to perform, record, produce, and/or write about it. Some embrace it by presenting the music of others to the public—as a DJ on the radio and at events. It might sound easy but it’s not—there is an art to it. Make no mistake, Chaye Alexander is an artist and expert in both fields. On her radio station, Chaye delivers the hits from yesterday, today & tomorrow to an eager world, not only giving listeners what they want, but what they need too…Music that’s well-known and should be better-known. Further, as host of “Conversations with Chaye Alexander” radio show, Chaye is able to get behind the scenes of the creative process via her conversational, encourage-the-guest-to-be-comfortable interview style. She has interviewed entertainment luminaries, such as Dionne Warwick, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Laurel Holloman, Eriq La Salle, Eric Benet, Jody Watley, TLC, Teddy Riley, Melba Moore, Gloria Loring, Oleta Adams, Najee, and many others.
Singer Will Downing had this to say: “I had an amazing time doing my interview so much so I lost track of time and the battery almost died on my phone that's how engaged we were in conversation. Thanks for a memorable interview." Click here to listen to some of Chaye's interviews with past guests on her show.
Chaye’s introduction to music dates back to childhood with fond memories of Sunday afternoons spent with her mother enjoying the sounds of Dionne Warwick, Petula Clark, Brook Benton, and a host of other classic soul and pop artists. The spot-on bond was shaped the day she was asked to change a record on the turntable—that “connection between the [turntable] needle hitting the record,” says Chaye, cemented the relationship between herself and music.
Raised in Brooklyn, NY, where “record shops” were commonplace and summertime block parties was the norm, Chaye was never far from the sound of music. She recalls spending every dime she earned on the latest album, 45, or 12” record. That would be the beginning of her extensive vinyl collection.
Much of Chaye's teen years were spent DJ-ing with her brother various event. This chapter taught Chaye perhaps her most crucial lesson—how to design the “music to create the right atmosphere and mood for any event,” says Chaye. Chaye eventually took over the turntables and in no time developed her own style of mixing tunes from various genres. This caught the attention of a local radio DJ who invited Chaye to be a regular on his nightly show. In the years that followed, Chaye acquired in-depth knowledge of broadcasting, which providing her with the background for not only how it works but how much better it could work. However, her interest would later shift to the recording industry where she dedicated herself to developing and managing up-and-coming recording artists. The lack outlets available to promote her artists and their music prompted Chaye to create her own medium. Chaye collaborated with a local production studio and launched "Have U Heard", the television show that featured emerging talents as well as A-list celebrities. Her interviews became renowned in and outside the media industry for being far more than factual-type discussions with guests. Chaye established her signature affable style of setting guests at ease, allowing her to bring a truer, richer sense of the subject to audiences. Have U Heard lasted three (3) seasons and was syndicated in 13 cities throughout the USA.
The Music
Chaye's passion for music, inherent knowledge of music trends, and dedication to nurturing performers has earned her stellar recommendations from industry professionals and musical icons alike. With the introduction of the Internet and its limitless range, Chaye quickly realized the opportunity and began the process of creating her own Internet radio stations at a time when the concept was relatively new. In 2009, she launched Chayz Lounge and with that, she brought a flavor to streaming radio that is uniquely her own. Chaye designed the station as the virtual space to enjoy the perfect blend smooth R&B and jazz 24/7! It also provided an avenue for new and established recording artists to reach a global audience. The station's popularity increased exponentially since its launch and thanks to the millions of loyal listeners, it became one of the top radio stations on the web in its genre. However, Chaye had more in mind for Chayz Lounge. She envisioned it being a venue for live performances. The space at Nonnah's restaurant provided the perfect setting for such a concept and in June 2017, Chayz Lounge the venue was brought to life. The venue's intimate setting invites patrons to experience the finest local, national and notable talents from the Jazz and rhythm & blues genres the way it was meant to be… Up Close and Personal.
The radio station continues to satisfy music lovers worldwide with its consistent delivery of great music under its new name, Chayz Lounge Radio. Ensuring the best musical experience for all listeners is Chaye's mission. Her vast collection of tunes allows her to deliver a musical eclecticism that sets Chayz Lounge Radio apart from any other station on the Web.
As one listener puts it, “I thoroughly enjoy coming home or sitting home relaxing to some really great music. The variety is AWESOME…this is the type of music station I've been waiting for, music for the "grown & sexy" to chill with sipping on a nice glass of wine, chilling with friends, or relaxing after a long work week. I'm so glad I found in and will stay tuned in!!!" Need more proof? Tune in at ChayzLoungeRadio.com, sit back, relax, and enjoy the smooth vibe that only Chaye can deliver… After all, nobody does music better!
Chayz Lounge Radio is also home to “Conversation with Chaye Alexander”, the weekly show that delivers interviews with notable personalities, as well as those on the horizon and shaping the horizon. As host of this popular broadcast, Chaye spins the hits from yesterday, today & tomorrow to an eager world, not only giving listeners what they want, but what they need too… Music that’s well known and should be better known.
Chayz Lounge
For decades Chaye Alexander has provided avenues for musicians to be seen and heard. She continues to shine the light on emerging and established talents each week via the sold out shows at Chayz Lounge, the live jazz venue located on Meeting Street in West Columbia, SC.
Visit ChayzLounge.com for more information about the venue and to view the lineup of shows.