mary-davis jr & marleen van emmerik

Описание

Mary Davis Jr. is an extensively trained singer who is inspired by both classic and contemporary vocalists such as Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan, but also by Kurt Elling, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and countless others. This can be heard in her style that can be described as a mix of jazz, soul and contemporary R&B. She knows how to connect with her audience, surprising them with her warmly‐toned voice with an occasional sharper edge. She is not afraid to improvise and loves to scat which makes every performance a unique experience. Brought up in a musical environment, she was influenced by several different music styles. Starting as a classical violinist, she developed, during her high school years, into a solo singer in black gospel choirs and pop bands until she eventually discovered jazz singing. Inspired, she began taking jazz singing lessons from the American artist Abby Greenwald, who had studied with Bobby McFerrin and toured with Jon Hendricks. In 2001 she was accepted into the jazz course at the Amsterdam Conservatorium, where she developed into a professional singer, composer and arranger. Her enthusiasm was sparked by workshops from artists such as Bobby Mc Ferrin, John Clayton and Deborah Brown. During her studies Mary Davis was very happy to get the opportunity to go to New York several times to take classes with Peter Eldridge (New York Voices) en J.D. Walter. In the summer of 2008, she successfully attained her Jazz Singing Masters degree. Living in Amsterdam provided Mary Davis Jr. with many opportunities to gain experience singing with all kinds of (big)bands and projects, such as the Amsterdam Jazz Orchestra (with which she performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 2007), Michiel Borstlap & Band, and her own band "Mary Davis Jr." In May 2009 she released her first EP "Lovin’ It", a beautiful recording of songs she wrote in the past few years, followed by a tour where she played on several festivals and stages. In October 2009 she decided to go back to her jazzroots and recorded some jazz standards, set in new arrangements and showing her love for improvising and scatting. Mary Davis Jr.’s talent has not gone unnoticed. In November, 2006 she was awarded the ‘Mathilde Santing Award’ on behalf of the Jazz Talent Trust.