6 minute read
Wanda Ray Willis Shines Again
THE AMAZING WANDA RAY WILLIS
Article by Carmelita Pittman
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AS WANDA looked out at the view from her home in Bermuda, she saw pristine blue waters and blue skies. From the harbor looking West there were rows of houses with white roof tops. At an early age her precocious talent showed itself. By the age of 3 she was dancing as the cute flower girl, and singing in church. Her artistic talent also showed itself. She created beautiful paintings on canvas.
Her parents , Eldon and Barbara Raynor gave her guidance which was the foundation for her success. As a youngster her mother took her to see The Sound of Music. She became so inspired that she memorized every note.
During her time at home as an adult she created “Spunk Bubble”, a TV fun reading readiness program for children. Her parents gave her the genes which produced her beauty which has enabled her to portray her idol, Dorothy Dandridge. The stunning resemblance is uncanny.
Her brother, Eldon Raynor Jr., also has carried the music genes and plays guitar. Wanda and Eldon became the Raynors, and teamed with the legendary H.B. Barnum, music conductor and arranger extraordinare whose extensive arranging credits include names such as Aretha Franklyn, Frank Sinatra, Billy & Marilyn McCoo and more. The result was a CD which Wanda produced.
When Wanda arrived on the shores of the U.S.A. she had no more than a suitcase and $300. Her aunt Dora of New York had planted the seed when she encouraged Wanda’s mom to direct her towards Hollywood. However Wanda had other reasons for her arrival, and that was to finalize a divorce. Yet these were new beginnings and Wanda managed to make a living teaching piano in New Jersey. One of the mothers of her young students introduced her to Fred White, an accomplished lighting technician for the film industry. He took one look at her original script and told her to go to Hollywood. She made her way there and became involved with Continental Cable television where she honed her craft. Already the holder of a degree, her training there enhanced her expertise.
Wanda Ray Willis, SAG-AFTRA, has emerged as an award winning and accomplished international actress, pianist, singer, recording artist, composer, dancer and executive musical producer. Her most recognize role has been her tribute to the legendary Dorothy Dandridge. She wrote and produced, “Walking in Dorothy Dandridge’s Shoes, Her Final New Beginning”. Her devoted research has revealed many unknown facts about the life of Dorothy Dandridge, a pioneer in the film industry whose bravery opened doors for many women of color to follow. Her documentary was accepted by the Las Vegas Premiere Film Festival and submitted to the Cannes Film Festival. A five minute short of this film is being produced to pitch a major movie about Dorothy Dandridge to be portrayed by an A list actress.
Wanda has handled challenges along the way with the help of friends such as Lasalle Gabriel, who she met in Bermuda, a noted guitarist with Sounds of Blackness, who gave up his room to Wanda in his mother’s home while he was on the road. Her next stop was her own place in a Spanish styled building in Glendale.
Without a car she managed to maneuver film assignments by Central Casting which sent her out from Glendale to Lancaster which she willingly accepted and arrived by bus on time. Although she became in demand as a high profile background actor she had a role in a film,”The Glow of a Warm Aquarium”.
At another time as a performer she juggled handling her keyboards, mike stand, speaker, suitcase with costumes venturing to West L.A. and returning to Inglewood via two buses. She became a familiar sight to passengers and the bus drivers who marveled at her. Returning from an engagement she managed to get her gear and head home late at night knowing that she was protected by God.
The theatre beckoned her. She wound up in several productions. When she auditioned for North on South Central the director said, “Where have you been?” That production earned an NAACP award for the cast. She eventually performed in a Leroy Richardson production at the Saban theatre to which her supportive parents flew out from Bermuda to see.
Multi-faceted, her range embodies many aspects of entertainment. It has earned her recognition by her peers and top industry individuals such as Michael Massengale, Michael St John and Sassy Gerhardt who directed her to a production which elevated her career. She is the winner of Motown Maurice Wrap Festival, LANFA’S Triple Threat winner, and this year’s BMA award for best artist Dorothy Dandridge portrayal. After one of her performances Ruta Lee took to the stage and said Wanda was worthy of Broadway and that she deserved support.
Other notables such as JaNet DuBois have also recognized her Grammy Award winner and writer, Felton Pilate, Preston Glass, H.B. Barnum, Herman Jackson, and the Life Choir, Jay Blakey’s song “Look Up to God for Love”, all have played a role in her career. Record labels Specific & PeachtreeRecords, Kuwa Productions (Kurtis Blow), Polygram Records, Clark Jay Productions have all known Wanda. She is also collaborating on music projects with Lincoln Kilpatrick Jr and Larry Ball.
Her ambitious plans include releasing 3 original recordings, music videos, being an interviewer with the soon to be released syndicated streamed Las Vegas on Air Live podcast, beginning with the Modesto American Grafitti Car Show and festival and others to follow. She also performs regularly with an 18 piece Big Band at The Barkleys of Pasadena, tutors piano lessons and performs piano/vocals in her trio and duo acts when booked. Upcoming shows include her solo Dorothy Dandridge musical at Barbara Morrison’s Performing Arts Center Aug 27, interviewer Aug 20 (Camarillo), Oct 23, NAEJA'S 19th banquet at the Proud Bird, Oct 29 with Craig Kupka'sBig Band in Bel Air, First Tuesdays at Barkley in Pasadena and July 9 at The Conference Room. She also continues to audition virtually for film and television speaking parts through her agents.
Wanda aspires to open doors for upcoming talent via NAEJA (National Association of Equal Justice in America) of which she serves as the Entertainment Industry committee chair which aims to provide opportunities to promote Diversity in the film and television industry.
www.wandaraywillisshinesagain.com • IMDb • MJB Talent Agency FIND ON: • LP & Associates • Las Vegas on Air • Live.com • CD Baby • YouTube • Amazon • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter • LinkedIn
Wanda Ray Willis wrote and produced, "Walking in Dorothy Dandridge's Shoes, Her New Beginning". This year she received the BMA award for best Dorothy Dandridge portrayal. Photo by Rasho Golman.
