Jaye Ella-Ruth

Agent

• Lucinda Leon Management
  Agent
• 07891173882
  Contact
• Agent's Website
  Website

Education

About me

I have returned to acting after spending many years as one of Britain's top session singers, followed by a career as a lecturer in Media and Film and a teacher of English Language & Literature. I say 'return', but in fact I never left. Acting, writing, dramaturgy, producing and creativity in general has never left me, so in effect I am 'coming home'.
I am both Black Theatre Co-op and Afrosax Drama Company alumna, and more recently a student at Identity School of Acting (IDSA). I have a particular love for the classics, Shakespeare in particular. I am currently without acting representation, but regardless of this, have some amazing projects in the pipeline. I am now looking to build my CV and be a productive and versatile actress.
I would also like to state that I am incredibly hard working and focussed. Using some method and the rest, innate ability, I give more than 100% to every role to bring out the best in both character and production.
This is my life.
It's what I love to do, and what I wish to give back to the universe.
Additional skills:
As a qualified teacher of English I have an excellent understanding of drama, Shakespeare, etc,. I enjoy textual analysis and debate, and have a love of literature and theatre.

(Please note, I selected 'intermediate' combat skills, mostly due to my training in Kickboxing).
Additional information:
A former original member of both The Style Council and The Brand New Heavies, I am currently performing in the band, ‘From The Style Council’.
Web: https://www.fromthestylecouncil.co.uk/


Singer:
Jaye Ella-Ruth, formally known as Jaye Williamson:

As Jaye Ella Ruth, she was an original member of The Brand New Heavies and recorded their first album The Brand New Heavies as lead singer. This took her around Europe on tour and included their first video for Dream Come True. Jaye also recorded the UK Garage anthem ‘Keep On’ featuring M&S, which due to its success has featured on numerous compilation albums. As a solo artist Ms Ella-Ruth’s first single ‘Y’ featured her brother and UK Jazz pioneer Steve Williamson and none other than the funk legend Fred Wesley.
Jaye hooked up again with funk legend Fred Wesley when she sang lead vocals on the single/title track of the legendary JB’s album I Like it Like That. She also toured with the band after the success of the studio performance.

As Jaye Williamson she has been a respected and much sought after vocalist and arranger. She toured the world with the Style Council and Paul Weller culminating in numerous TV appearances and the live video Far East and Far Out in Japan. Jaye also sang backing/lead vocals on Weller’s double-A side single The Big Boss Groove.

Jaye was also vocal arranger for artists, which include David Grant, and Curiosity Killed The Cat. She also sung all the backing vocals for Curiosity Killed The Cat’s second album Get Ahead, which included Name and Number later sampled in full by De La Soul. Jaye did three British tours and a number of TV appearances to support the album. She was also a member of Jeffrey Daniel’s group (originator of the Moonwalk), Col Pop and the People.

Jaye has recorded countless studio/live sessions with prestigious soul and pop artists, including: Michael McDonald, Whitney Houston, Total Contrast, Eugene Wilde, Ce-Ce Penniston, Donny Osmond, Errol Brown of Hot Chocolate, Jermaine Stewart, Jeffrey Daniel of Shalamar, Gladys Knight etc., and was hand-picked by The Prince’s Trust to sing a specially-penned song to Prince Charles at his 40th Birthday celebrations.
Additional skills:
Singer, actress, lyricist, writer, producer, dramaturge and academic; Jaye Ella-Ruth has led an interesting and varied career. Having spent the last twelve years as both a lecturer in Media and Film at UWL and a secondary school English teacher/tutor, she returns to her former career as an actress, having studied method acting at Identity School of Drama.

The Maya Angleou Project is a 7-track demo EP of her musical interpretation of seven Maya Angelou poems. Jaye wrote, co-arranged and co-produced the project (see links to two of the tracks featured on YouTube channel below).

She is currently the dramaturge on Lindsay Wesker’s first play in 30 years, The Other Room, as well as writing her first play entitled Victor’s Funeral. She is also the author of the children’s storybook, Little Red Nike Shoes, (or Kadija and the Big, Bad Wolf) which includes an accompanying audio book. The book is in development and is the first in what will be a volume of Urban Fairytales, as yet unpublished.
Additional information:
Jaye Ella-Ruth is represented by The Actorshop Agency and is available for vocal sessions, dramatic and classical roles, film, television, corporate, musical theatre, commercials, play readings, radio and voice-overs.

License & Passport

Skills

Languages Spoken	English
Accents/Dialects	American - General, American - General, Caribbean, Caribbean (Jamaican Patois), Creole, Patois, English - Cockney, English - England North West (Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire), English - General, English - London, English - Received Pronunciation, French (Standard International), New York, US West Coast (California, Portland), US West Coast (California, Portland)
Dance Styles	Contemporary, Jazz
Vocal Types	Mezzo Soprano
Organisations / Memberships	Equity (UK), Musicians Union (UK)