By Arthia Nixon, The Ambassador Agency
(Nassau, The Bahamas) Known for her sultry and smooth vocals, young singer Anuschka Wright has sealed her place as the youthful new face of jazz in The Bahamas. The young talent who is respected by others on the scene for her covers by industry icons such as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald is now headlining her first self-produced show, Jazz in Bloom.
Wright revealed that there are several familiar names on board to ensure the musical blossoms bloom when the concert is held in the Governor's Ballroom of the historic British Colonial Hilton Hotel.
Still, many find it ironic that Wright herself is putting on such a major event especially since she has only been singing jazz for four years. The 23 year-old admitted that even while a member of the National Children’s Choir of The Bahamas she didn’t think a career in music was in her future.
“I did some choir work with Patricia Bazard and Audrey Wright and was with an ensemble for a year,” she recalled. “I used to sing solos when I was younger but I considered myself a background singer. I enjoyed harmonizing and blending in and you wouldn’t be able to pick me out distinctively.”
Now, Wright is not only distinctive, she’s officially found her voice.
“I’ve been singing jazz for four years,” she said. “I started out with Billie Holiday at the end of high school because someone told me that jazz helps you understand and experience music. After that, I was introduced to Ella Fitzgerald and later Sarah Vaughn. Then I went to open mics and art fairs and found my niche. I know it sounds cliché or whatever but I would not have chosen it [jazz music], it has to be God who led me toward this.”
Wright revealed that the reason she is hosting the event is to help pay for her tuition for music school.
“I have several options,” she gushed. “I’ve been accepted to a few places and narrowed it down to New York or Montreal, Canada. Both have a lot to offer a jazz musician with festivals and local jazz scenes.”
For now, Wright is the new face of the Bahamian jazz scene and when she goes live she plans on taking listeners on what she defines as her journey in jazz, beginning with Ain’t Misbehavin’ the first song she learned in the genre, to her now increased repertoire. Joining her on the journey is Adrian D’Aguilar famed Bahamian band leader and upright bassist as well as Ralph Munnings of Grand Bahama on alto sax.
“I am very excited,” she says of her pending performance. “There are a few more names that will be added to the roster, including two local singers and two American musicians. Jazz In Bloom is certainly going to be an experience to remember.”
For more information, visit www.jazzinbloom.com or call 242-466-4411.