Wanda Ray Willis-Masterful At Her Craft

Entertainment — By Buddy Sampson on August 6, 2026 at 3:13 am

 

When it comes to entertaining and holding an audience, Wanda Ray Willis is masterful at her craft. The singer, musician, actress, producer and entrepreneur has studied the best in jazz and pop, including one of her inspirations, Dorothy Dandridge, a towering figure in music and in social change. “I wanted to recognize her achievements, in society and in the industry,” said Wanda Ray Willis of her solo musical, “Walking In Dorothy Dandridge’s Shoes, her Final New Beginning,” which has attracted the attention of theater gurus, resulting her receiving the BMA Award for Best Dorothy Dandridge portrayal.  “My solo musical is Dorothy Dandridge, on the last day of her life. She takes you on a journey about her life through the use of singing, acting, dancing in timeline-like fashion, starting in her mother’s womb.”

The gifted actress has played some of the most iconic singers in music history, including Ella Fitzgerald and others, but Dorothy Dandridge stands out as an instrumental cog in her accomplished musical career.

When her mother first took her to the movies to see “The Sound of Music,” Wanda was captivated. “That is one of my favorite musicals to this day,” she reflected. “I was about 5 years old, she took me to the theater and I was glued to the screen. I would not move. She brought the album home and I played it until the grooves were worn out. I would do the whole show from beginning to end, singing all the songs and doing all the actions.”

A veteran of stage productions in New York, which led from her upbringing on the East Coast, Wanda Ray Willis, always knew, from a young child, where her passion was as a growing artist. ” I was always singing around the house and putting on shows,” she laughed as she reflected on her childhood. “If I was in a wedding, someone’s flower girl, I would put on my outfit and would give shows to anyone, singing and dancing.”

Her aunt also saw potential in Wanda and reminded her of a young Dorothy Dandridge and encouraged her to pursue a career in entertainment. “My aunt from New York would always tell my parents, you’ve got to take her to California, because she reminds me of Dorothy Dandridge,” said Wanda of her aunt’s enthusiasm.  When the writer and director of a play she starred in, “North of South Central,” told her straight-that “you need to do your own Dorothy Dandridge show,” Wanda was inspired. She produced her own solo Dorothy Dandridge musical, “Walking In Dorothy Dandridge’s Shoes, her Final New Beginning,” the recipient of several awards and accolades.  Among many awards and accolades, Wanda Ray Willis is a NAACP Theater Award Winner, a Motown Maurice Wrap Festival winner, a Black Music Awards nominee, LANFA’s 2019 Triple Threat Winner and a NAACP Best Director nominee, also for her portrayal of Dorothy Dandridge.

She attended college, earning her degree from Jersey City State University. “I had really good instructors at the school,” said Wanda. “I learned piano, I learned composition, I learned music theory, ear training and I had a private teacher for my singing, and I sang operas, all those wonderful operas for my many different sessions. I even had the pleasure of singing with the New Jersey Symphony orchestra as a soloist. “In addition, she holds a degree in Education from Morgan State. She reflects fondly on that period, especially musically. “While I was there, I recorded my first CD,” she said. ” It was ‘You’re a Friend of Mine,’ on Peachtree Records.

A towering lady, who believes in giving back to the community, Wanda Ray Willis is always involved in causes that help young people, “I was on the Gwen Bolden committee that helped at-risk youth,” she remembered, a rewarding experience. She is also involved with NAEJA. (National Association for Equal Justice in America.) “This country is made up of so many different nationalities,” she said. “Every person in America should have freedom and justice. People have flocked to America because of that and we need to hold our ideals in place.”

Want to see her perform live? She has a recurring gig on the first Tuesday of every month in Pasadena with the Craig Kupka Kupkasonic Big Band at The Barkley, 1400 Huntington Drive 5, S. Pasadena. On the second Friday of every month, she performs with either HB Barnum or Todd Hunter on keyboards at 131 Glendora, Glendora, California. In addition, she performs a yearly show at the Proud Bird with The Essential Element Band with Jurrell Ballard.  She also completed a music video for Uniglobal Records that is receiving critical international acclaim.  Recently, she formed an amazing band, that features players such as HB Barnum, David Snow, Lyndon Rochelle, Buddy Sampson and Keschia Potter.

Her philosophy in life reflects her ambition, her drive and ability to have a mastery of her craft. “You should always try to be better than you were the day before,” said Wanda Ray Willis, who is not only making an impact in Hollywood, but internationally.

With her mastery of music and performance, Wanda Ray Willis is a must-see live. For more information about Wanda, visit her website at https://wandaraywillisshinesagain.com.