Album Notes

Anny Finnestad was born in the picturesque Pacific Northwest town of Bellingham, WA. where her love of singing was cultivated as a member of the gospel choir in her local Baptist church.

The Finnestad family relocated to San Diego, CA where Ms. Finnestad later continued her formal musical studies at San Diego State and Azusa Pacific University (APU). While still a freshman at APU she was selected as a member of the University Choir and recorded several albums for Disney. She later moved east to Boston, MA where she was exposed to jazz and blues with Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone and Etta James being her biggest vocal influences. Upon returning to the West Coast, she became a local fixture of the San Diego Jazz scene and performed with many artists including drummer Charles "Chuck" McPherson Jr. and Trumpeter and composer Gilbert Castellanos.

In 1998, Ms. Finnestad moved to New York to continue her studies with world renowned pianist Norman Simmons and vocal instructors Amy London and Susan Slavin. While in New York she met and began working with drummer and producer George Coleman Jr. (son of Tenor sax great and Miles Davis Alumni, George Coleman Sr.). In 2003-2004 Anny's vocals fronted George's trio in engagements scheduled throughout the east coast. Their dedication and hard work has resulted in a jointly produced debut album entitled "Anny Finnestad, celebrating the standards of jazz", scheduled for release in Spring 2005.