Tessa Margaret Niles ( ''née'' Webb; born 27 January 1961 in Ilford, Essex) is an English singer, best known as a backing singer for a wide variety of contemporary artists. She began her professional singing career in 1979.

Early life and career

Niles began her professional singing career, as both a lead and a backing vocalist, in 1979. Throughout her career, Niles has worked with many artists including

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, Tom Jones,

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, Nick Carter,

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, Bill Sharpe,

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and

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. In the mid-1980s, Niles was featured the lead vocalist (along with

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) for the jazz ensemble Bandzilla, which was led by her then-husband

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. The band toured and were featured as the resident house band on the

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television show '' Don't Miss Wax'' in 1987. In 1991, the band released their debut album, ''Blue Movies'', again featuring Niles as lead vocalist. Niles has also voiced and sung on various television commercials for products including

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, Aquafresh,

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and DHL. Her association with Eric Clapton began with his 1986 album ''

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''. She toured with him from 1988 to 1992, again in October 1997, and again on his 1999 tour of Japan. She sang backing vocals during the George Harrison/Eric Clapton tour of Japan in 1991 and for Clapton's Unplugged concert in 1992. Niles also appeared at Clapton's Crossroads Benefit Concert on 30 June 1999 and the

Concert for George The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 as a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his death. The event was organised by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and his son, Dhani, and arrang ...

on 29 November 2002. Niles performed vocals during one version of the song " All I Want For Christmas Is You" for the 2003 film ''

Love Actually ''Love Actually'' is a 2003 Christmas romantic comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis. It features an ensemble cast, composed predominantly of British actors, many of whom had worked with Curtis in previous film and television proje ...

''. Niles also performed at

Live Aid Live Aid was a multi-venue benefit concert held on Saturday 13 July 1985, as well as a music-based fundraising initiative. The original event was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise further funds for relief of the 1983–1985 fami ...

at Wembley in 1985, where she provided backing vocals for

(who introduced her as "Theresa" in the prelude to "Heroes"). On 16 & 17 June 1989 she performed vocals at

´s gigs: '' From a Distance: The Event'' recorded at

Wembley Stadium Wembley Stadium (branded as Wembley Stadium connected by EE for sponsorship reasons) is a football stadium in Wembley, London. It opened in 2007 on the site of the Wembley Stadium (1923), original Wembley Stadium, which was demolished from 200 ...

. In 1992 she featured in the

´s studio album '' The album''.

Personal life

She is the former wife of American musician

, whom she married in 1982.England and Wales marriages
Retrieved 18 January 2015 Later she married Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane Jr., the son of

Eduardo Mondlane Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane (20 June 1920 – 3 February 1969) was the President of the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO) from 1962, the year that FRELIMO was founded in Tanzania, until his assassination in 1969. Born in Mozambique, h ...

. In 1998 Niles gave birth to twins, Mikaela and Fallon Mondlane.

Career highlights

References

External links

* *
Tessa Niles' official websiteTessa Niles' at LinkedInTessa Niles' official Facebook page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niles, Tessa English women singers Living people People from Ilford Musicians from Kent 1961 births English session musicians Robbie Williams Band members Morrissey–Mullen members