While Chesternique proves she can handle her own as a solo star, veteran musician and pop star producer Sammi Starr Poitier lends his skills vocally and technically to the track from her debut album “Expressions of the Heart”, set to launch late September 2012.

“Working with Sammi was a great honor,” gushed Chesternique who found herself going from fan to collaborator with the well known Caribbean artiste. “He wrote two songs for my debut album, "Expressions of the Heart" and produced those two, in addition to two more. But for the song at hand, "Thank You" I especially enjoyed working with him on this one.”

“I knew without a doubt that this was going to be my sophomore single and a hit at that!” Chesternique added. “Sammi Starr is a name that I believe even sets off bells in the ears of the youngest child so getting to work with him was a indeed a privilege. He's a real down to earth, fun-loving, talented brother. I definitely embrace the time that we shared in studio and look forward to working with him again in the near future.”

Born in The Bahamas, Sami Starr is one of the hottest recording artists/producers to have ever come out of the Caribbean. Photo: BMG Foto

And what does Sammi Starr think of his newest duet?

“Working with Chesternique was a great experience,” he says. “She has such a humble spirit and is willing to put in the long hours and work hard. First thing that got me with her was her beautiful voice - it was unbelievably smooth. Secondly, was her songwriting. Chesternique is an awesome songwriter. We had so much fun and will do so much more work in the future.  She puts alot of herself into the music and it shows. She's awesome all around and Loves God, that's an awesome combo! Overall, she was great to work with!”

Chesternique

More about Chesternique:

Chesternique Kandy AnyaRolle-Bullard, also known by her stage names Chesternique or Chess, is a Bahamian-American singer born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her parents are Bahamian ministers, Bishop Chester Rolle Jr. and Pastor Letty Rolle. She is also the younger sister of award-winning singer and producer Jasman Rolle.

At age eight, Chesternique’s mother was distracted from cooking dinner by what she thought was a singer on the radio. When she knocked on the bathroom door to ask her daughter to turn it down, she realized that the artist was actually Chesternique singing in the shower. Upon asking her daughter to sing a little more, Chesternique’s mother immediately phoned the church’s choir director who enrolled in the adult choir.

Chesternique debuted her talents as a soloist with the song Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross at Faith Mission Church of God. Despite singing hymns, she did not fully connect with the gospel songs until the age 14. This was when, during a revival service, Chesternique made the decision to become a born again Christian.

Invitations began coming in for Chesternique to perform on albums and live at concerts, the latter of which she received praise for her rendition of songs made popular by Yolanda Adams, Lisa McClendon, CeCe Winans and Kierra Sheard. She also became the opening act at album launches and concerts forseveral Bahamian artists including jazz singer Akia Knowles. Among those who encouraged her to pursue music as a career was Bahamian gospel music/media prodigy and mogul Vincent V-Mac McDonald. V-Mac invited Chesternique to sing on his own album and appear in his music videos to introduce her to a wider audience. 

Despite that, singing to a back seat to studies for Chesternique who put her focus on education. She graduated Saint Anne’s Anglican High Schoolin The Bahamas 2003. While studying at Taylor University in Indiana where she received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work, Chesternique was drawn back into music through her participation in the university’s chorale and as the first ever lead singer in jazz ensemble. Chersternique’s brother Jasman andother music majors wrote songs for his award-winning Seasons album and urged her to come in the studio to lay vocals for his song Love’s Lament. Even with the opportunities, she choose career over music.

Upon her return to The Bahamas after graduation, Chesternique married Bahamian pianist Ketlinado Bullard in 2010. Chesternique’s husband maintained their household while she sought employment. In her spare time she pursued personal interests such as reading grief and loss literature, experimenting with cooking recipes and fashion. 

Prior to her wedding, she reunited with V-Mac musically for his internationally-acclaimed Elevation project. During this time, she agreed with Ketlinado and V-Mac to take a more serious approach to music and move from backgrounder and collaborator into headliner. This inspired her to write Now Is The Time, which she debuted publicly as a surprise for her husband as when she walked down the aisle to song during their wedding.

With the success of Elevation, Chesternique was fast becoming the new ‘it’ gospel girl on the Bahamian scene and released her jazz-gospel single GetMy Praise On. The song took on a life of its own earning her the opportunity to open the pre-concert segment of the 2010 Caribbean Marlin Music Awards, dubbed the Caribbean version of the Grammy's and Dove Awards.

The eight year-old who sang sold out performances in her bathroom shower, has to date sang to sold out audience on stages in The Bahamas, Indiana, Atlanta and Florida. She’s also a frequent performer of Youth Alive and Fam Fest, both of which came out of Bahamas Faith Ministries under the leadership of internationally-known televangelist and author Dr. Myles Munroe. 

She ended 2011 by signing a contract to Elevation Records as the first female artist and first artist to receive a full development package from her mentor V-Mac. As of 2012, she has had the opportunity to share the stage and/or collaborate with Caribbean gospel icons such as Positive, Sherwin Gardiner and Carlene Davis. Also the Bahamas’ own Monty G, DJ Counselor, Mr. Lynx,Christian Massive, Lyrically Blessed and of course, V-Mac.

Presently, Chesternique is working on her first solo album at Elevation Records. She will be releasing it in autumn 2012.