JC Bentley was a singer before she learned to talk. Just a day into the world, a mid-wife at a London hospital nicknamed her ‘La-La’ because she was the one baby in the nursery who would sing instead of cry.
She began vocal training at the Mavis Bennett School of Singing at age 7, studying classical music. Her teachers noticed her affinity for gospel and encouraged it. One of her idols was Omar. When she moved to London she saw him while she was at a restaurant and she ran out after him. She approached him and said, “I’d love to work with you.” He said, “Send me a demo.” She just started singing in the middle of the street. He was shocked. He told her, “Wow, you can really sing,” and took her card. The next day his manager called and asked her to come to the studio. JC and Omar wrote and recorded a duet, which he later put on his new album also featuring duets with Stevie Wonder, Angie Stone, Common and Estelle.
JC went onto release a few hit singles including “I Can Make You Love Me” and “So Alive,” which gained her more recording experience.
JC went to a Dion Warwick concert and was invited to the after party and saw legendary Leon Ware, who has written a huge list of songs for the world’s top recording artists including, Michael Jacksons 1st ever number 1 hit and he wrote and produced the album I Want You for Marvin Gaye. She walked up to him and told him “Mr. Ware, I know you’re going to write a song for me.” He said “you’re a singer huh?” She said, “Yes, do you want to hear me now?” She started singing at which point, the entire party stopped to listen and gave her a standing ovation. He said “Wow, you have guts,” and took her phone number. The next day she got a call from him inviting her to meet with him. He had her listen to a song which brought her to tears. He told her, “You have 3 days to learn it. I’m putting you on all of my concerts.”
Leon did write that song for JC and it’s called “Waiting In The Wings,” because that’s what he feels she’s been doing and now it’s her turn to take center stage!
JC’s career eventually brought her to the USA where the British songstress has written and recorded with Brian McKnight, Take 6, and also with 3-time Grammy winning producer, Narada Michael Walden, who is world -renowned for his number one hits with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, and many other notable talents.
JC is releasing a compilation of her music with various artists as well as working on an upcoming release of new and never-released songs.