By Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor
By day, Christie Dashiell is an adjunct professor of music at the University of the District of Columbia. She is the tender, yet tough professor of jazz studies who insists on having her students listen and learn technique. At night and on the weekends, however, the professor is working stages across America, promoting her most recent project “Journey In Black,” the recording that captured the attention of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (also known as the Recording Academy).
Dashiell’s soulful jazz vocals, fused with gospel and a touch of rhythm and blues, turned heads and got the Prince George’s County resident nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category.
As Dashiell sends the last student out the doors of the Arts and Sciences building at UDC’s northwest Washington, D.C. campus, she and colleagues reflect on the Grammy nomination, the road ahead, and the life of music.
“It feels amazing to finally come into this recognition for the sounds and music I have heard all around me and carried within me throughout my life,” said Dashiell about her musical style.
Dashiell hails from a musical family, including not only her parents, brothers and sisters, but also aunts, uncles, cousins and everyone in her large extended family.
Her father, Carroll Dashiell, currently serves as chair of Howard University’s Department of Music and is a noted jazz bassist and composer.
Dashiell’s brother Carroll “C.V.” Dashiell III, is one of the band members that will share the Grammy nomination with Christie. Several of the band’s members are Howard University graduates, as are Christie and C.V. Dashiell. You can hear the symmetry in the music.
“Christie has always been in the shadow of other vocalists for so long,” said C.V. Dashiell about his sister’s Grammy nomination. “It’s great to see her now be recognized by the industry for her contribution to music.”
Her UDC family is proud of Dashiell’s accomplishments as well. Professor Johnny H. Butler, director of choral activities, is witness to the results of the time and attention Dashiell gives her students.
“Some of our students come to us with an idea of what jazz is and others have never heard of it. Professor Dashiell introduces them to the connection between jazz and other art forms students more easily recognize, like R&B or gospel,” Butler said.
The choral director further said that Dashiell adds a special special touch to the instruction she gives to students who want to pursue jazz studies. “All of our music students come to us with raw talent. The unique bonus Christie offers to a music department like ours is enabling students to see the real life of a working musician. She works with each student, giving them the technical skills and vocal capacity to honor the rich musical tradition of jazz,” he continued.
This Feb. 2, Dashiell, her entire band and members of the Dashiell family will honor the tradition of jazz that has always been part of the DMV area and their family roots as they travel to Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards ceremony.
Dashiell’s nomination has been a family affair since November, when she was first nominated for the 2025 Grammy Awards. She will continue the celebration not only for herself, but for all who brought her to this point in her musical journey.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if my father got on stage with me if I should win,” Dashiell said, laughing as she reflected on the road she has traveled from growing up in North Carolina, returning to Prince George’s County and college in the DMV area to visiting the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for the 2025 Grammy Awards.
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