Chaye Alexander
Creative Producer | Restaurateur | Owner of Chayz Lounge
If there is one word that sums up creative producer and lounge owner Chaye Alexander, it’s “passion.” She’s passionate about music. Chaye began her career as a radio personality in New York City. During her years on air, Chaye won the hearts of listeners with her musical eclecticism and warm, charismatic demeanor.
The success of Chaye's radio broadcast lead to her being offered and subsequently acting as a producer for the television show, “Have U Heard”, where she presented emerging talents, as well as entertainment luminaries, such as TLC, Boyz II Men, Eric Benet, and many others. Chaye established her signature affable interview style and became renowned in and outside the media industry for bringing 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.
To gain more control over her concept, in 2009 Chaye launched Chayz Lounge, which began as the online radio station and virtual space to enjoy the sounds of smooth R&B and jazz 24/7! The aim was also provided an alternate avenue for recording artists to reach a global audience. Thanks to the millions of loyal listeners, Chayz Lounge became one of the top radio stations on the web in its genre. However, Chaye had more in mind for the brand. She envisioned it being a brick & mortar space for live musical performances. The backroom of Nonnah's restaurant provided the perfect setting for such a concept. On June 2017, the Chayz Lounge venue concept was brought to life. Chaye knew from the start that she needed more space and after nearly two years at Nonnah's, Chayz Lounge now occupies the space at 607 Meeting Street in West Columbia. The venue's warm, elegant atmosphere invites you to experience the finest smooth jazz and rhythm & blues acts. Learn more at ChayzLounge.com.
The radio station continues to satisfy music lovers worldwide with its consistent delivery of great music under its new name, Chayz Lounge Radio. Here, Chaye spreads the power of sound to an eager world, bringing listeners music that’s well-known and soon to be better known. Further, as host of "Conversations with Chaye Alexander" radio show on the station, Ms. Alexander is able to get behind the scenes of the creative process via her conversational interview style.
Past guests on Chaye's show include Dionne Warwick, Paula Cole, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Gloria Loring, Jody Watley, Oleta Adams, Laurel Holloman, Eriq La Salle, Teddy Riley and many others. Click Here to listen to their conversations with Chaye.
For decades Chaye Alexander has provided avenues for musical artists to be seen and heard. She continues to shine the light on talents each week via the sold-out shows at Chayz Lounge, as well as planned events throughout Columbia (SC). In 2018 and 2019, Chaye played an integral role in the success of the Richland County Parks & Recreation Foundation's Jazz Fest. In February 2019, she was brought on as Artistic Director by the Columbia (SC) Museum of Art to create an outdoor concert series on the grounds of the beautifully renovated Boyd Plaza. For this project, Chaye thought of ways to fuze jazz with different genres of music and came up with classical/soul jazz, Latin/Afro-jazz, and a reggae jazz blend.
In May of 2019, she launched "Chaye Alexander Presents Live At Boyd Plaza" and the concept was well-received. "The inaugural concert on Memorial Day weekend drew 400 people who were dancing and smiling throughout the evening,” says Joelle Ryan-Cook, CMA deputy director & director of external affairs. The following events in the series saw over 900 music-loving people. If that weren’t enough to demonstrate that her passion for music is backed up by action, Alexander is a board member of the South Carolina Jazz Foundation.
What’s next for this multimedia talent? You can expect more of Chaye’s devotion to music via Chayz Lounge Radio, dedication to delivering quality shows at Chayz Lounge, and an engaging, attentive approach with her guests on her radio show. Get ready, get set, and stay tuned for a whole lot more from Chaye Alexander! In the meantime, join Chaye Sundays from 6pm - 8pm tunes from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and today.
Want to learn the complete background on Chaye Alexander? Click here.
