Pianist, Hammond player, Singer.
"...explores stylish standards" Clive Davis, The Times
"Beautiful." Omar Puente
Biography
Wendy's musical career began at age 8, when she started taking piano lessons. She won a scholarship to have all her lessons paid for by Derbyshire Music, and continued to take her ABRSM piano grades.
Switching to jazz in her late teens, Wendy continued her playing career as a dance class pianist, accompanist to singers and as a keyboardist in club bands.
After being persuaded to sing by a great friend and guitarist, Bill McCreath, Wendy learned to reach people who are perhaps turned off by instrumental jazz, and also she learnt to communicate with the audience through the songs.
Wendy's voice has been likened to Blossom Dearie with hints of Diana Krall.
Wendy formed a piano and Hammond organ trio with Pat Sprakes on double bass/guitar. The trio has played UK jazz festivals as well as venues throughout the UK and Europe.
In 2010, Wendy became part of the Jet Collective, an East Midlands group of jazz musicians devoted to composing and performing original music. This collective seeks to promote live jazz in the East Midlands, in the absence of any support from the citys' jazz organisations.
Check out the Gigs page for live performances.
Influences: Nat King Cole, Chick Corea, Diana Krall, Larry Goldings, Shirley Horn, Dena Derose, Eliane Elias, Larry Young, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Nichols, Thelonious Monk, Jimmy Smith, Joanne Brackeen, Barbara Dennerlein, Brad Mehldau, Steve Weingart, Carol Welsman...
Upcoming gigs:
See Gigs page here
A-Z of some musicians Wendy has worked with:
Ian Beestin
Caroline Boaden
Nathan Bray
Matt Chandler
Jon Colgrave
Sarah Dale
Andreas Hagiioannu
Neil Hunter
Dan Johnson
Karen Lake
Barry Lee
Sara Littlefield
Clive Loveday
Bill McCreath
Jake McMahon
Jenni Molloy
Emma Nabarro-Steel
Mitch Oldham
Jon Richmond
Dave Shields
Pat Sprakes
Chris Sykes
Dave Walsh
John Watterson
©2010 Wendy Kirkland Jazz