Wendy's musical career began at age 8, when she started taking piano lessons. She auditioned and won a scholarship to have all her lessons paid for by Derbyshire Music, and continued to take her piano grades.
When she was 16, Wendy began to listen to and play jazz, preferring this to the more restrictive classical music, and, although she could sight read excellently and also play tunes she heard by ear, she wanted to learn to play jazz. No teacher could be found, and she continued to take classical lessons.

By the time she was 19, Wendy had given up on ever being able to play jazz. All the important people around her told her a career in music was a bad idea, and that she should go to university and get a proper job. Wendy dropped out and was unemployed for a year.
Following a couple of really bad jobs in factories, she began life as a draughtsman, whilst earning extra money as a dance class pianist.

A degree in Mechanical Engineering later, Wendy continued to play semi-pro in bands and at weddings, also singing in a local choir.
But the urge to play jazz never went away - and although listening to Oscar Peterson made her want to cry, no-one could be found to help her decipher the code.

In 2000, following a career shift to teaching, Wendy came across the Sheffield Jazz Workshops and began to attend every Saturday morning.
Finding that she had more than enough talent and affinity with the music to progress quickly through all levels at the workshop, and by now regularly gigging in Sheffield with several jazz ensembles, Wendy was beginning to realise her dream.

After being persuaded to sing by a great friend and guitarist, 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 now has her own jazz trio, organ trio, jazz funk band and works with top class musicians, prize-winning players and session musicians. Not giving up a dream has paid off.

Influences: Nat King Cole, 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...

©2008 Wendy Kirkland Jazz