Brenda Lewis ~ Jazz Vocalist

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Peel Me A Grape

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Released: May 30, 2007

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Peel Me A Grape
1:40
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I Cover the Waterfront
3:14
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Honeysuckle Rose
1:37
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Chattanooga Night
3:20
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Total Plays: 11,072 / Plays Today: 2See All Featured ►

General Info

Genre: Jazz / R&B / Roots Music
Location Toronto, Guelph, Georgian Bay, Ottawa, Ontario, Ca
Profile Views: 34633
Last Login: 2/17/2012
Member Since 5/28/2007
Website http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vc291bmRjbG91ZC5jb20vamF6ei1zYW1wbGVyL2JyZW5kYS1sZXdpcy1uby1tb29uLWF0LWFsbA==
Record Label Independent
Type of Label Indie
Bio
.. .. .. .. *****NEW JAZZ CD: "JAZZLIKE" is HERE!!! *** .. .. Brenda Lewis - vocals; Margaret Stowe - guitar (and production, mixing, engineering of the new CD) .. .. Click on REVERBNATION PHOTO below to listen to 2 brand new tracks: 1) Not the Only One, and, 2) Harvest for the World! Will be uploading new songs here on Myspace soon, too :-) .. .. .............. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .................... .. .. .. .. ...... Layout by ..CoolChaser.. .. .. ...... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. "Her rich full-bodied voice is an elastic instrument, especially in songs that speak to the heart. Whether choosing a jazz standard or a song by a contemporary songwriter, Lewis has impeccable taste." (ROBERT REID, ARTS, KITCHENER-WATERLOO RECORD) .. .. .. .. .. "You softly intoned a realm of yesterday's duets with greats that are now on The Big Gig in The Sky and I was inspired." (GRANGE "LADY HAIG" RUTAN", AUTHOR: "DEATH OF A BEBOP WIFE") .. .. LESS IS MORE. The above audio samples closely represent a LIVE performance. No "doctoring" of the vocals. Just the relaxed interaction between a seasoned vocalist and one or two accompanists. Her warm, clear voice stands on its own merit: front and center. Brenda proudly records her vocal tracks "live off the floor". Musician credits at WWW.BRENDALEWIS.CA .. .. .. .. A BIT OF HISTORY .. .. Brenda Lewis was born to sing jazz - she is what's known as a "natural". In 1991 she quickly garnered a loyal following, belting out gospel-inflected R&B at MEL BROWN's blues jams and singing emotive a cappella songs at The Guelph Folk Club. Through much of the 90's until 1997, she was known for her soulful vocals, songwriting and recordings with acoustic/eclectic duo: "LEWIS & MOLESWORTH"(aka HURT & RUN). .. .. Just as gospel and blues historically morphed into what became known as jazz, all roads led to jazz for Brenda. Over Twelve years ago, this VERSATILE VOCALIST made a seamless transition into the world of vintage jazz and torch. .. .. She currently performs from duo to full-band with many renowned Toronto and southern Ontario jazz musicians including guitarists: MARGARET STOWE (Two of the above audio samples feature her amazing playing!), TONY QUARRINGTON, JOHN TONIN and the MURCH brothers; pianists: JOHN ZADRO, JOHN McLELLAND, CHRIS WILSON; acoustic bassists: JEFF BIRD (tours with Cowboy Junkies), MARK McINTYRE (tours with Remy Shand), DENNIS RONDEAU, JESSE TURTON; and drummer/percussionists: TOM McLELLAND, MICHELE JOSEF. .. .. Lewis has maintained her connection to roots and Americana music through warm, textured vocal harmony performances with NONIE CRETE, DENNIS GOMO, IAN MOLESWORTH, EDDIE DOUGLAS and others, covering the world map with her powerful interpretations of country blues, cajun, R&B and celtic - and adeptness at singing in foreign languages (french, spanish, latin, yiddish, hebrew). .. .. .. .. BEST "REVIEW" EVER! .. September 2007 ~ Brenda feels honoured to share this wonderful comment from Grange "Lady Haig" Rutan (a pet name for her coined by Dizzy Gillespie) who was the second wife and survivor of domestic abuse at the hands of celebrated BEBOP pianist AL HAIG. She is now the author of a celebrated NON-fiction book: "DEATH OF A BEBOP WIFE". She captures the mood and magic of that musical era, while recounting the chilling story of Mr. Haig's third wife's untimely death, for which he went unpunished. Learn about this fascinating book by visiting her in the FRIENDS section below. SHE WROTE: .. .. "When I listen to you sing: "I Cover The Waterfront" I feel a deep percussive groove moving things along, slowly, in a haunting almost reverie, which allows my ears to suspend and stay in the voicings of the beautiful guitar intro. We don't have a feminine quality voice like yours in the tri-state area. When my ears did a somersault because of your lovely voice, full of a sadness, a longing, a bitter-sweet lament over a number of minor keys, you called out to me as your audience ...you connected me to yesterday when the world was young and so was I. You softly intoned a realm of yesterday's duets with greats that are now on The Big Gig in The Sky and I was inspired." .. .. "I was fascinated, early on, by the incomparable Anita O'Day and how she dared to be her own instrument up in the minor keys; she was a master at creating excitement on standards as she stretched and scatted into the full quintet with her very own solo. ~ ~ ~ Brenda has a musical talent and imagination that is definitely connected to that history and is open to smoothly establishing herself on the forefront of now. As Honeysuckle Rose begins I see an airplane start to fly me back to when I couldn't stay away from the place as a voice came out onto the street; her voice is an invitation that I automatically responded to...with joy. And why not? That tune connected me to thinking about a lot of people I love...she is a musical dream and I'm ready to allow her to make it happen because she is going to show me that she knows how to take me not to a specific place but anywhere...it's a place for now and a dream of a surprise. Yes, Brenda Lewis needs to be heard in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and while I'm at it, let me throw in Connecticut." .. .. .. .. HAVE VOICE; WILL TRAVEL :-) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Brenda will be happy to sing in JAZZ FESTIVALS, CONCERT SERIES and PERFORMANCE VENUES almost anywhere (especially in warm climates ie: The CARIBBEAN, CRUISE SHIPS etc) during Canada's winter months!!! Also very glad to hear from event planners. .. .. She says: "ANY time of year, let my voice be my passport to see as much of this wondrous WORLD as I possibly can ......" .. .. .. .. JOIN the BRENDA LEWIS fan page on FACEBOOK AT: .. .. ..http://www.fbook.me/brendalewisjazzvocalist.. .. .. .. ....
Members
.. ...... .. .. .... Brenda is honoured to be accompanied by a "who's who" of Toronto and southern Ontario jazz musicians (see profile to the right), tailoring the right combo for each event - from duo to full-band for: concerts, festivals, corporate and private events. .. .. .. .. AVAILABLE FOR VOICE-OVER WORK AND JINGLES .... .. .. .. .. ~ HARMONY/BACKING VOCALIST (for studio and live performance): "The songs gorgeously performed by Brenda Lewis and Nonie Crete were spine-tingling standouts" (ROBERT REID, THE RECORD) .. .. .. .. ......
Influences
.... Tuck & Patti, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitgerald, Julie London, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Jackie Washington, KD Lang, Jobim, James Brown, Lyle Lovett, Aretha, Katie Webster, Bonnie Raitt, Penny Lang, Marlene Dietrich, Christine Collister, Sandy Denny, Colleen Peterson, Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt, Ann Wilson, .... .. .. "LIVE MUSIC IS BETTER; BUMPER STICKERS SHOULD BE ISSUED!" (Neil Young)
Sounds Like
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ............ .. ..Been compared to Ella, Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, Diana Krall, KD Lang, Jane Monheit ... BUT mostly sounds like Brenda Lewis :-) .. .. .. .. WHAT THE PRESS SAY: .. .."Her rich full-bodied voice is an elastic instrument, especially in songs that speak to the heart. Whether choosing a jazz standard or a song by a contemporary songwriter, Lewis has impeccable taste ... The makeover is complete. After beginning her career as a folksinger and country-blues artist, Brenda Lewis is now a jazz diva." .. .. (ROBERT REID, ARTS, KITCHENER-WATERLOO RECORD) .. .. "Along with Toronto-based guitarist Margaret Stowe, Lewis is the featured entertainment at Kristoria Fine French Dining as part of (Guelph Jazz Festival's) Jazz Around Town series. Her versatile vocals have given her entree into jazz, blues and, folk venues. Catch these two accomplished musicians on Saturday Sept 9th. 2006." .. .. (M. BURNETT, THE FOUNTAIN PEN) .. .. "If you're looking for laid-back sounds from a red-hot mama, this is the lady for you. Love her style - one strong set of pipes, and, wow - what great lyrics! .. .. (T. MOUAT, THE SOVEREIGN)...... .. .. .. .. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS .. .. Airplay of CD recordings on CBC RADIO, JAZZ-FM (CJRT) Toronto, BBC RADIO Northern Ireland .. .. Live television performances on CKCO Noon News (CTV SW Ontario, Kitchener), BREAKFAST TELEVISION (CITY-TV Toronto), and, Rogers' "Daytime"(Kitchener) .. .. Festival of Friends, 2009: "REMEMBERING JACKIE WASHINGTON" tribute (w/ Margaret Stowe on Guitar) .. .. Guelph Jazz Festival "Jazz Around Town" series' annual dinner show .. .. Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival (Brenda Lewis All-Woman Jazz Quartet) .. .. Waterloo Community Arts Centre Jazz Concert Series .. .. Edward Johnson Music Foundation, Guelph Spring Festival Wine Gala .. .. Arkell Schoolhouse Gallery Acoustic-Contemporary Concert Series .. .. Guest vocalist with the Rick Fines Trio, Arkell Schoolhouse Concerts .. .. Colleen Peterson Tribute Concert (in harmony 4-tet with Suzie Vinnick, Katherine Wheatley & Rebecca Campbell; alongside "Quartette"), Hugh's Room. Toronto .. .. Oakville Uptown Jazz Festival .. .. Hillside Festival, Guelph Lake .. .. Ontario Place Sunday Jazz Series .. .. In September 2007, BRENDA was VERY PLEASED to have been a GUEST TWICE on the "SKYLAR STONE Show"~ ON WBZT 1230 AM (Clear Channel) ~ MIAMI, FLORIDA .. .. .. .. For DISCOGRAPHY and PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE, please visit: WWW.BRENDALEWIS.CA .. .. .. .. LEWIS MEDIA RELATIONS & ENTERTAINMENT PLANNING: Brenda also operates her own company, specializing in .. .. 1) Media relations and promotional writing .. .. 2) Live music and entertainment planning for corporate, private and community events. (NOTE: NOT a booking agency!) .. .. Click on link in friends section for more details. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ........Visit ..THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE........

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Apr 18

Brenda Lewis ~ Jazz Vocalist

Hey TORONTO! THIS SAT, 7pm: MargaretStowe & I @FLYINGBEAVER PUBARET! Tix just $10 in advance: http://lnk.ms/f6PfZ
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Mar 18

Brenda Lewis ~ Jazz Vocalist

Enjoy my music video "Summertime"! http://lnk.ms/f1JyX
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Mar 11

Brenda Lewis ~ Jazz Vocalist

TORONTO CONCERT Thurs Apr 18! Returning to Flying Beaver Pubaret! Details at: http://lnk.ms/drCS3
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Feb 13

Brenda Lewis ~ Jazz Vocalist

Feb. 17, 1:30-3:30pm: So proud to be the McMichael Gallery's Feature for this Sunday's Concert! Info: http://lnk.ms/dlqQ1
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Feb 12

Brenda Lewis ~ Jazz Vocalist

Brenda Lewis, Jazz Vocalist has a show on 2013-02-14 at 14:30 @ Valentin... in Guelph http://lnk.ms/dlZQv #concert
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