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Episode 138. Sandra St. Victor, an American singer-songwriter, is celebrated for her powerful voice and genre-defying artistry. Born Sandra Kay Matthews on May 28, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, she nurtured her musical talents at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, an institution that also nurtured artists like Erykah Badu, Roy Hargrove, Norah Jones, and Edie Brickell. She furthered her studies with scholarships to Kansas University and Bishop College in Dallas but ultimately chose to learn through experience, joining a local band led by jazz guitarist Zachary Breaux and embarking on tours across Texas and Louisiana.

In the early 1980s, St. Victor relocated to New York City, where she joined Roy Ayers' touring band, Ubiquity. Her dynamic performances caught the attention of Chaka Khan, leading to a tour with Khan throughout the 1980s. She also toured with Freddie Jackson and Glenn Jones and became a sought-after session vocalist, collaborating with artists like Lisa Fischer, Cindy Mizelle, Audrey Wheeler, Brenda White King, Tawatha Agee, and Curtis King. Her versatility and distinctive voice made her a prominent figure in the New York music scene.

St. Victor, the lead singer of The Family Stand, a trio formed in the late 1980s with Peter Lord Moreland and Vernon Jeffrey Smith, achieved international success. Their hit song "Ghetto Heaven" reached #10 on the UK Singles Chart in 1990 and was remixed by Nellee Hooper and Jazzy B of Soul II Soul. The group also contributed to Paula Abdul's album "Spellbound".

In 1993, St. Victor embarked on a solo career and recorded the album "Sanctuary" for Elektra Records, though it remained unreleased. Several tracks from the album were later covered by artists like Prince, Chaka Khan, and Tina Turner. In 1996, she released "Mack Diva Saves the World" on Warner Bros., which received critical acclaim but lacked significant radio support.

St. Victor continued her solo work with the independent release "Gemini: Both Sides" in 2001. In 2013, she released "Oya’s Daughter" on Shanachie Entertainment, produced by Mark de Clive-Lowe. The album was praised for its fusion of soul, funk, jazz, and multicultural influences.

In 2018, after 25 years of waiting, St. Victor independently released "Sanctuary" on Bandcamp, allowing fans to finally experience the album that had remained unreleased for decades. She also formed the touring ensemble Daughters of Soul, featuring talented artists like Nona Hendryx, Joyce Kennedy, Deniece Williams, Caron Wheeler, Lalah Hathaway, Indira Khan, Simone, and Leah McCrae. The group performed at prestigious festivals such as Nice Jazz, Pori Jazz, and Java Jazz in Jakarta.

Currently based in the Netherlands with her husband and daughters, St. Victor continues to create and perform music that transcends genres and resonates with audiences worldwide.

In this episode, Troy covers Sandra's musical journey while playing some of his favorite songs. 

Songs featured include:

"I am Better" with Josh Milan

"Tight Fit" Chaka Khan with Sandra on backgrounds

"Sweet Liberation"

"Shades of Blue"

"Come Over"

"They're Cool"

"Little Girl" - Lalah Hathway 

"What Have We Learned"

"Dizzy"

"Undiscovered Country"

"Cosmos"

"Freedom"

"Ghetto Heaven"

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