Brenda Reed's vocals have graced rooms all over her native Bay Area. Her multifaceted talents are extremely evident on this album of standards and torch songs. From classics like "Fever" to a sultry rendition of "No Moon at All," this CD is the perfect addition to any collection of mood music; romantic, evocative and with an undeniably sexy vibe.
Born in Pomona, California on June 7, 1972, Brenda Reed came out singing. She sang ever since she could speak, sang at her family's Methodist church and was the loudest voice in the school choir. She was active in the local theater and took voice and drama lessons from early on. Her first and most profound influences were Barbra Streisand in Yentl, and Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. Discovering a love for musical theater, Brenda's early stage experiences included the role of Brigitte in The Sound of Music, Rizzo in Grease and Lola in Damn Yankees.
Leaving high school at the age of 16, Brenda lived in Germany for a year and took a hiatus from theater to explore other interests, which included more travelling, and a period of service work helping the disabled. After returning to the States, she held various jobs and attended college. Although she earned a degree in Sociology (American Multicultural Studies, minor in Women's Studies) Brenda felt unfulfilled. She missed doing what she truly loved. However, insecurities about her weight and her abilities prevented her from seriously pursuing a musical career.
Starting voice lessons with Pablo Rodriguez in 1996, Brenda was introduced to Speech Level Singing and Seth Riggs, both of which changed her life. Newspaper critics praised the "effective poignancy" she brought to the role of Jenny Diver in Three Penny Opera in 1997 - notable not only because Tom Waits was in the audience one night, but because she was reunited with her purpose. Another role elicited more good reviews, one of which stated Brenda Reed as having one of the "strongest voices in the show." She then became immersed in cabaret, improv. classes and voice training in San Francisco and Sonoma County. She met her next voice coach, Edwin Gray, and began to seriously contemplate a stage career. Brenda's husband encouraged her to go after her heart's desire to begin performing again full time, which is what she began to do in 1999.
She studied with Rachael Adler at Steinberg Studios, learning the Meisner Technique which propelled her into professional acting roles in San Francisco. Later, she originated the role of Telulah in the S.F. fringe hit Disengaged. Brenda also won the Bay Area Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in the musical Chess, at the New Conservatory Theater. Another favorite role at this time was in the production of Closer Than Ever, also at NCTC. She subsequently met Richard Nickol at the SFAPA, who assisted her with voice building and with whom she still shares a strong friendship. Brenda made her first San Francisco singing appearance at the Lush Lounge, and was a finalist at the S. F. Cabaret Competition both years.
Working with Steve Wolfe at Wolfetones Records, what started as a 5 track demo tape eventually became Brenda's Lush Life CD, released in 2003 after 4 years of combined efforts. June of 2003 saw the CD's release, after which she started working with James Campbell, pianist and arranger extraordinaire. Among those who Brenda Reed feels lucky to have worked with are: Randy Vincent, Steve Wolfe, John Florencio, Art Khu, Jeff Chin, Edwin Gray, and Kim Kuzma. Two other talents whom Brenda credits with the "image construction" process are Troy Ziel, her friend and photographer, and Tcherek Kamstra, who created the graphics for the Lush Life CD.
In January of 2005 Brenda began work on a second CD, which is due out later this year. The emphasis this time is on R&B, Blues & Gospel. She states that she does "not want to be assigned a specific genre of music. I want to sing everything, from Rock to Soul to Opera." Brenda also explains how her fans have made her truly grateful for their support and continual appreciation of her performances, and as a result she is looking to expand her arena of venues and events. Currently managed by Vinny Deneitolis, Brenda's upcoming gigs include the Pan Pacific Hotel in San Francisco, The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Shanghai 1930, Zebulon's Lounge in Petaluma, Michael's Octavia Lounge (formerly La Tasca) and the newly renamed Empire Plush Room.
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