Brennie Richards|
Biography "...talented and brave....[a] mature, rich and rounded voice..." Jazz Review "...[Brennie] presents her material with flair and understanding... "Bruce Crowther - Jazz Journal International" Brennie is a sophisticated and elegant singer - swinging, lyrical and soulful. With an innate sense of rhythm she moves easily from upbeat swing to subtle ballad and latin rhythms with ease - adding lyrics in Portuguese, Italian and French. It's a stylish package of well chosen standards and contemporary material that makes this fresh and exciting music from a voice that really hits the spot! Brennie is no newcomer to jazz and the release of her fsolo recording “Highwire” has been long awaited by many. The album was recorded with her regular working trio - pianist Pete White, bassist Terry Pack and drummer Sam Glasson - with delightful additions from trumpeter Paul Christmas and tenor saxophonist Stan Robinson. The album offers a spirited performance of 11 classic songs from Horace Silver, Miles Davis, Chick Corea and Van Morrison along with Antonio Carlos Jobim and Rodgers & Hammerstein treated to new and innovative arrangements by Brennie and pianist Pete White. Brennie started singing with folk and blues musicians in the 80’s, but when invited to perform with modern jazz group “Alto Overcoat” she discovered jazz and was hooked! On moving to London to study contemporary dance she also embarked on musicianship and jazz theory studies at Goldsmiths College and later studied with world class jazz vocalists Mark Murphy, Michele Hendricks and Norma Winstone.
Brennie performs with her trio, quartet/quintet or as a duo with guitarist Andy Williams or with her Brazilian jazz combo "BrennieZinha" for functions or just partying! For bookings of duo, quartet or BrennieZinha please contact me at: Tel: 07743 709147 |
Brennie
formed her own jazz trio in the 90’s in London performing at some of London’s top venues including the Jazz Café,
Vortex, 606 Club, Union Chapel, South Bank and Barbican Centre Platforms and festivals including the Soho, Greenwich and
London Jazz Festivals. She also
performed with the 5 piece vocal
group ‘Skylarking’, recording an album with them in 1996.
Co-founding the Jazz Singers’
Network with fellow singer Shireen Francis, which promoted hugely popular singers' gigs and jam sessions in
many London venues including the 606 Club in Chelsea, China Jazz and
the infamous! Jazz Bistro and facilitated workshops and
masterclasses for jazz vocalists. All this whilst honing her own
skills! For several years Brennie was part of the team at Jazz Services
– a national
organisation supporting jazz in the UK. Now on the other side
she is concentrating on
promoting her album and widening her audiences nationwide. Based in
the South East you can
catch her making waves along the south coast and in London and
beyond!