WELCOME, I’M GLORIA CALOMÉE!
Born and bred in Los Angeles, California, Gloria graduated from Dorsey High School and received an Associate of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts from Los Angeles City College. Her performing career began as a model in print and fashion, having appeared in Jet and Ebony Magazines, as well as on runways across the West Coast. She studied acting with Director Robert Gist, was a member of the Richard Boone Actors Workshop, and also a member of the esteemed Frank Silvera’s Theatre of Being Actors Workshop. She was a Contract Actor for Columbia Studios, in the mid-sixties, before the Studio Talent Contracting system ended.
Gloria has had a long career in television and film, having guest starred or been featured in movies and numerous television shows including THE ROCKFORD FILES, THE WILD-WILD WEST, BARNEY MILLER as well as appearing in films such as ROLLER COASTER with James Caan and THE REIVERS with Steve McQueen. She has also spent years on ‘the boards’ in theatre, including productions of THE BLACKS, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT, PURLIE VICTORIOUS, LOST IN THE STARS, as well as The Los Angeles Production and the New York Shakespeare National tour of FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE, WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENOUGH, written by Ntozake Shange.
As a singer, Gloria has performed in cabarets and clubs throughout Europe including MEMPHIS MELODY, LES TROIS MALLAITZ in Paris, CASINO DA VILA MORA and CASINO DE MONTE GORDO in the Algarve, Portugal, and QUANDO O PIANO TOCA in Lisbon. She also performed on the highly acclaimed variety show A FESTA CONTINUA for RTP Television in Lisbon, Portugal. In the States, and has regularly perform at Hollywood’s premiere Cabaret Room THE GARDENIA, also at Hollywood’s CINEGRILLE, and at Vitello’s in Studio City. In the Bay Area, venues include GRACIE’S, PLAZA BISTRO in Sonoma, ANGELICA’S BISTRO in Redwood City, and The Fenix in San Rafael.
Gloria has also produced Theatrical Events and Festivals throughout California. She was Producing Director for Los Angeles’ Inner City Cultural Center, the largest minority-owned and operated arts institution in the country from 1985-95. For Inner City, she produced more than 25 successful productions including the award-winning productions of “Checkmates”, starring Denzel Washington and Paul Winfield, “Four Seasons”, starring Calvin Lockhart, and “Woman from the Town”, starring Roxie Roker and Loretta Devine.
She has produced events and festivals for the Los Angeles’ Cultural Affairs Department, and was the former Theatre Manager for the City-owned Nate Holden Performing Arts Center at its inception, and has coordinated festivals throughout California, including the Ojai Film festival, and the Napa Valley Film Festival. Her travel articles and essays on Third World Arts and artists have been widely published and have appeared in such publications as the LOS ANGELES TIMES, NEW WORLD MAGAZINE, and The NAACP’s CRISIS MAGAZINE.
REVIEWS……
ALL ABOUT JAZZ MAGAZINE
“Gloria Calomee’s voice is “sultry”, and “Her voice exudes mystery….film noir atmospherics, and “world-class polish!”
“One of the most important elements of a great recording is the choice of material, and the sequence in which they appear on the disc. Gloria is a master of this art.”….A lesson in the art of communication.
“Gloria is that rare singer who makes each song an honest expression of personal experience. One finds oneself drawn into and deeply moved by such a musical experience.”
FOUR SEASONS! “GLORIA CALOMÉE’s acting stands out!” – Jan Breslauer Los Angeles Times
