Ernesta Rachel Dunbar, 46, singing sensation in Asia

ERNESTA RACHEL Dunbar, whose amazing five-octave singing voice was heard on numerous albums recorded in Philadelphia and at various venues here, left for Asia 22 years ago and never looked back.

She became a star in places like Taiwan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates and elsewhere in Asia, where her performances were so popular her engagements were often held over.

A friend and fellow performer, Carl London, said in a message to her family: "Her life was a concert; her world was her audience."

Ernesta died Sept. 2 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, of complications of lung disease. She was 46 and called Taipei, Taiwan, her home.

Once asked why she preferred to perform in Asia, Ernesta said: "Asia mothered me."

Her sister, Madeleine Dunbar-Glenn, said Ernesta also was fed up with the red tape and complications of dealing with producers, record companies, managers and others in the music business in America.

Ernesta, who was adept at many musical instruments, mostly played piano and sang while performing with her band, Afrotonic.

Writing in the All Music Guide, Craig Harris said her band fused jazz, soul, pop, funk, R&B and hip-hop to create a "unique dance music."

"Dunbar has found a warm welcome in her adopted homeland," Harris wrote.

One of her favorite venues was the popular Taiwanese nightspot, Tu. She also liked to perform at Sappo's, another popular Taiwanese club.

An example of her popularity was when she was held over for nine months in 2006 while performing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

She performed at nightclubs, hotels, concert halls and other venues. She also wrote and arranged music for her band.

Ernesta was born in Philadelphia to Madeleine and Carl Dunbar. She completed school at Roxborough High.

She was only 8 when her parents signed her up for classes in ballet, voice and the violin. From there, she branched out to the organ, piano, drums, guitar and saxophone. It seemed she could play any instrument with ease.

But it was her powerful voice that attracted attention. In Philadelphia, she performed with Philly soul singers Teddy Pendergrass and Bunny Sigler, as well as Philly saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., R&B singer Bobby Brown and bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma.

She is featured on several records for Columbia, World Records and others, and performed on WDAS radio.

Although far removed from the American experience, Ernesta took her African-American sensibilities to Asia. She produced a musical, "From the Motherland to the Promised Land" for Black History Month in 2006 at the Taipei American School in Taiwan.

"Ernesta always thought of others," her sister said. "She was most kind and caring. She fed children in Asia, and extended her broad knowledge to Asian schools. She had the opportunity to teach children from many countries."

Ernesta wanted her siblings and their children to follow her into the world of music. She constantly sent musical instruments back home to family members.

In fact, sister Madeleine said she had no intention of pursuing a career in music, but Ernesta kept sending her violins, and giving her instructions by telephone.

She eventually succumbed and now plays the violin for the local band Urban Classiq.

Their late parents were skilled musicians. Father Carl Dunbar played the guitar, and mother Madeleine sang.

Besides her sister, she is survived by two other sisters, Kathleen Thomason and Barbara Dunbar, and three brothers, Calvin, Adam and Marvin. She was predeceased by another brother, Carlton.

Services: A celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mitchum-Wilson Funeral Home, 1410 S. 20th St. Other memorial services are being held in Asia.