Cherry, Ava: - Ava Cherry is a singer, producer and fashion icon. Her personal and professional collaboration with international superstar David Bowie in the 1970s fostered a strong soul influence on Bowie's hit album Young Americans. She was also instrumental in the evolution of the proto-New Wave band The Astronettes. Cherry's formative years on the Chicago black music scene shaped her soul music sensibilities that would later influence the work of numerous artists following in her footsteps. Cherry was later a backup singer for Luther Vandross and eventually struck out on her own to launch a solo career. She is currently enjoying a resurgence on the international music scene.