Brianna Bowie :: Biography
BRIANNA BOWIE is an accomplished Jazz vocalist, who has been performing since the tender age of 16. She is also a professional dancer, writer, producer and actress who has performed in many diverse productions throughout Canada, Asia and the U.S.
BRIANNA grew up in a family that produced three world champions in Freestyle skiing. She became an OLYMPIC level gymnast winning several Canadian titles before turning her talents toward singing and dancing.
BRIANNA’S love affair with music began in Calgary Alberta Canada, where she spent the long cold winters singing along to her mother’s old Elvis Presley records.
Her journey into the world of Jazz began when she moved to Los Angeles and met alto Saxophonist, DOC DOOLITTLE. Doc happened to walk into a small club in Arcadia, Ca where Brianna was literally singing for her supper in an unruly R&B Band. Doc immediately noticed her impeccable sense of rhythm, pure sound and absolute bravery in her approach to the high notes that her natural coloratura range excelled in. He asked her after a set or two if she would like to tame that voice and learn how to really sing.
So began an interesting relationship where Doc graciously and brilliantly taught Brianna everything he knew about Jazz. And Doc knew a lot as he came up through the Stan Kenton days playing with Jackie Wilson, Natalie Cole and many more Jazz Greats. Doc didn’t just teach Brianna about phrasing, intonation, musicality, taste and how to sing with a “fire in your belly”, he also regaled her with personal stories about the life and times of John Coltrane, Mose Allison, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ann Richards who he always said she reminded him of. Hence my nickname for him, Mr. Tidbit.
BRIANNA also decided to study at the DICK GROVE SCHOOL OF MUSIC and was accepted by WHITNEY HOUSTONS vocal coach, SETH RIGGS, who thought Brianna was “a goldmine of talent”.
She went on to appear on the hit show “STAR SEARCH” where she was a season finalist. Her performance captured the attention of a WARNER-PIONEER RECORD talent scout who immediately offered her a Japanese tour with their number one recording act”Shonentai”.
After returning to the US, Brianna continued her studies under Doc’s expert tutelage while she developed an uncommon and distinctive sound.
After one of there many 5 hour sessions Doc casually announced that it was now time to put an all star jazz quintet together to feature Brianna’s unique singing style. Her voice was not the only uncommon occurrence in this unusual journey toward becoming a jazz singer. There would be no band rehearsals and no working herself up through the ranks.
BRIANNA found herself fired out like a cannon where she was suddenly co-leading along with Doc an exciting group they called ‘Bare Naked Jazz”. They performed throughout the Los Angeles area and featured legendary players like guitarist, Ron Anthony formerly with the George Shearing Quartet and Frank Sinatra, the late Bob Maize, long time bassist for Sarah Vaughn, and bee bop drummer extraordinaire, Nic Martina’s who has played with Julie London and Stan Getz.
BRIANNA’S next step was to record a long overdue and much anticipated debut jazz CD entitled “Chasing Rainbows”. This imaginative CD was produced by Doc Doolittle. The CD was arranged by both Doc and Brianna to showcase her 31/2 octave soprano vocal range as Doc knew that she did not fit the mold of a typical jazz singer. Her fresh and innovative new interpretations of timeless standards featured legendary stars like Frank Collett, Paul Gormley, Joe Correo, Ron Anthony, Bill Brendle and Marty Harris.
CHASING RAINBOWS was recorded at Talking Dog Studios in Los Angeles and is set to be released under TRUE BLUE RECORDS on September 1st/2008.
Although Brianna currently resides in Canada she will be returning to Los Angeles in November 2008.