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Bonnie J

About Me

“Australian jazz chanteuse Bonnie J Jensen is one of a covey of new female jazz vocalists bringing a fresh perspective to the jazz culture. She joins the likes of America’s Norah Jones, Britain’s Claire Martin and Sweden’s Linda Pettersson in bringing a soft, sweet, sultry, soulful synapse to the jazz idiom.”
Voodoo Child Magazine, USA
“This is an experienced singer…and it’s the Diana Krall-like combination of innocence and sexy womanliness somewhere in the timbre of the voice that lets you know.”
Shane Nicols – www.allaboutjazz.com
Bonnie has earned her reputation as a unique and versatile singer, songwriter and pianist. Born in New Zealand but based in Australia for many years, she has also worked in a variety of musical situations internationally, frequently in Japan and Hong Kong. She has also performed at many Jazz Festivals with her Australian-based Quintet.
An acoustic-orientated jazz musician, Bonnie is an solid piano player and a sultry jazz singer with an extensive repertoire and a voice that moves effortlessly from swinging standards to smooth bossa, blues, pop and funk.
Bonnie released her debut album Lucky So & So in August 2001. This album quickly reached No.3 in the Australian Independent Jazz Charts. It was surpassed by her second release Blue Joy in 2004 that featured luminaries Don Rader (trumpet), Jeremy Sawkins (guitar) and Jon Zwartz (bass). Blue Joy rose to No.8 in Japan’s Swing Journal Jazz charts for the month of June 2004. It includes Bonnie’s popular original “Tokyo Skies”.
February 2007 marked the release of her third album The Sapphire Tree, a collection of songs she says was inspired by audiences’ reactions and the sounds of musicians she works with. This album is said to have a European sound and features the core musicians of the ARIA winning ensemble Wanderlust. “The Australian” lauded Bonnie's songwriting in their 2007 review of The Sapphire Tree: "… Jensen's title ballad, an original, displays a talent for both musical composition and poetic lyrics, evident too on "Neon Soliloquy": "Like a diamond in the river, as precious as the African rain, this glimpse of bliss will sustain you - again and again…"
http://www.bonniejjensen.com

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/10/2006
Band Website: http://www.bonniejjensen.com
Band Members:Bonnie has worked frequently and/or recorded with Jeremy Sawkins (Guitar), Fabian Hevia (Drums), Jonathan Zwartz (Bass), Craig Walters (Tenor & Soprano), Miroslav Bukovsky (Trumpet & Flugel Horn), Nicolas McBride (Drums), Hajime Niwa, Ryohei Komaki, Matt Gruebner, Steve Arie & Brett Hirst (Bass), Don Rader (trumpet & Flugel Horn), Graham Jesse (Sax & Flute), Casey Greene (Sax & Flute), Michael Bartolomei & Alister Spence (Keys), Zak Keith (Guitar), Palle Sollinger (Bass) and Par Jaktelius (Drums) Charlie Meadows (Guitar).Myspace Layouts @ JellyMuffin.com
Influences: Those admired; who DO inspire:
Carlos Antonio Jobim, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Eliane Elais, Chet Baker, Jon Hassell, John Coltrane, Eivind Aarseet, Dianne Reeves, Jacky Terrasson, Billie Holiday, Bonnie Rait, Caecilie Norby, Herbie Hancock, Bob James, Jack DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Wanderlust, Jeremy Sawkins, Simone, Shirley Horn, MeShell Ndegeocello, Karrin Allyson, Jacky Terrason, Sting, James Taylor, Anita O'Day, Esperanza Spalding, Anders Bercrantz, Monika Zetterlund, Christian McBride, Mark Murphy, Julie London, Bobby McFerran, Miles Davis, George Benson, Kurt Elling, Alister Spence, Egberto Gismonti.... and the list goes on.....
Sounds Like: Hazrat Inazat Kahn said that "Religions have taught us that the origin of creation is sound. The music of the universe plays in the background of our lives. Our attraction to it shows that music is in the depth of our being. It is behind the working of the whole universe..."

Jimi Hendrix said: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”

Please visit the "Press" section of Bonnie's website out for all reviews:
http://www.bonniejjensen.com . Albums available in shops in Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and online from www.cdbaby.com and www.iTunes.com.

NEW!!! Follow Bonnie on TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/bonniejjensen

View my page on THE MODERN VOCALIST.com

Record Label: La Brava
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST (REVIEW) ARTICLE

THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST (Review Section)Written by Robin LynamApril 19, 2009It has been a good week for visiting Australian Jazz Musicians&. Drummer Andrew Gander and Saxophonist Dale Barlow&. An...
Posted by on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:17:00 GMT

THE MODERN VOCALIST.com Member Badge

http://www.themodernvocalist.com View my page on THE MODERN VOCALIST.com
Posted by on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:31:00 GMT

My 5 Favourite gigs - written for the Jazz and Beyond Website

Hi Folks, I am being featured as Artist of the Month on www.jazzandbeyond.com.auThey asked me to write about my top 5 gigs and here are my scribbles for your interest:Pat Metheny Trio & Enrique Morent...
Posted by on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:40:00 GMT

Go to "ONROAD" section of www.bonniejjensen.com

FolksI don't really blog, but if you'd like to read my quarterly travelogue, then visit the ONROAD section of my website: www.bonniejjensen.comRegards,Bonnie
Posted by on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:43:00 GMT