Brettina
Brettina Lorena Robinson (born December 8, 1970) is a Bahamian jazz singer-songwriter, model, and SAG actress, who lives in metropolitan Los Angeles.
Brettina | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Brettina Lorena Robinson |
Born | Nassau, Bahamas | December 8, 1970
Genres | Jazz, Smooth jazz |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, actress, print model |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2010–present |
Labels | Floating Bridge Media (independent) |
Early life
Brettina was born in Nassau, the Bahamas. She moved to Chicago with her family while she was a toddler when her mother, gospel-singer/actress Leona Coakley Spring, began acting on the popular stage plays "The Crucible," and "The Other Cinderella."[1] Brettina moved back to the Bahamas during her school years.
Brettina began singing at age four, under the influence of her mother, as well as her uncles
- , Theo and Kirk Coakley of the popular 1970 Funk/Soul group T-Connection.
While attending C.I. Gibson School in the Bahamas she was awarded the title "Miss C.I. Gibson", which made her eligible for Miss Bahamas Talented Teen.[2] Brettina won the title "Miss Bahamas Talented Teen",[3] and earned a university scholarship. She attended the University of Washington.[2][3]
Musical style and career
Brettina cites as her main influences Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horn,[3][4] Shirley Bassey,[5] Sade, Adele, Diana Krall, Brenda Russell, Corinne Bailey Rae, Tiwa Savage and LIRA.[6] She sings jazz, and describes her style as "organic".[3][4]
She hopes to perform in South Africa where she has a huge following, and to capture the European audience., June 2020 Missing or empty |title=
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She draws from personal experience in her songwriting. For example, she cites her poor childhood as the inspiration for her song "Poor Old Times",[2] her fondness for chai as the inspiration for "Chai",[7] and childhood memories as the inspiration for covering the Belafonte-Burgess song "Island in the Sun".[8]
In addition to her jazz career, she has worked as a print model and an actress in national advertisements. As a singer, she has performed mainly in the Seattle and Los Angeles areas.[6][3][9]
She has performed in public on several occasions, for example:
- CD release party (publicity appearance, but not a performance) [10]
- Supermodel of the Bahamas show, with Bahamian R&B singer Julien[11]
- Kirkland Performance Center "New Face of Jazz" concert November 2010[9]
- "Up Close & Unplugged" concert January 26, 2011[6][12]
- Her talent agency announced a "New Face of Jazz World Tour".[13]
- Caribbean Heritage Organization featured artist June 2013
- Scheduled to appear at 20/50 Music Is Life Festival 2014, in Nassau Bahamas, may 8[14]
Awards
- Brettina won the title Miss C.I. Gibson, which made her eligible for Miss Talented Teen Bahamas.
- Brettina won the Hal Jackson Miss Talented Teen Bahamas and was awarded a scholarship.[6]
- Brettina is an Ambassador for the reputable hair brand – Black Velvet Hair
Critical acclaim
Brettina has been praised by a variety of critics, for example:
- All About Jazz, "Brettina"[15]
- Jazz Wax, "Brettina: New Sound of Jazz"[16]
- Bohemian Soul, untitled article[17]
Philanthropy
Brettina supports several charitable causes, most visibly a donation in support of C.I. Gibson School, which she attended.[7] She also supports All Saints Camp, a shelter for people suffering from HIV/AIDS, with her mother.[2]
Discography
Studio albums: Brettina (2010), Bop Baiye – Single released in May 2019
- Brettina (2010) [15]
- "Paradise"
- "Bahamian Girl"
- "The Bug"
- "Serafina"
- "Poor Old Times"
- "Chai"
- "My Time to Shine"
- "Pardon the Storm"
- "Island in the Sun"
- "One"
- "Serafina" (bonus track with strings)
Music videos
- "Bahamian Girl"[18]
- Brettina's Single, 'Bop Baiye' : BOP BAIYE was released on May 20, 2019 much to the excitement of Brettina's fans across the world
- Brettina released her hit Single "Simple Pleasures" (Lyric Video) in October 2020
- Brettina's coming out with an EP this Spring of 2021 titled, "NEW DAY"
References
- Christianson, Bill (November 22, 2011). "Redmond's Bahama Mama: Many talents, one mission". Redmond Reporter. Sound Publishing, Inc. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- Chakara Bennett (February 5, 2010). "Fighting for her dream". The Nassau Guardian Online. The Nassau Guardian. Archived from the original on March 28, 2010. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- "Biography". Brettina.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
- "Interview with Bahamian Jazz Artist, Brettina Robinson". The Bahamas Weekly. April 30, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
- "Special Guests Ms Charmaine, Pastor Chandra Williams, & Brettina (time 52:50)". Alysha Live. February 13, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
- "Brettina FAN PAGE". January 12, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- Chakara Bennett (April 30, 2010). "Brettina's heart and soul". The Nassau Guardian Online. The Nassau Guardian. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
- "Beautiful Bahamian Girl". Bahamians Online. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
- "Brettina: the New Face of Jazz". November 14, 2010. Archived from the original on November 11, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
- Tara Hunnewell (April 1, 2010). "Brettina Music, Brettina CD Release Party, RealTVfilms". RealTVfilms. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
- "Brettina and Julien to perform at Supermodel of the Bahamas". The Bahamas Weekly. April 24, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
- "Brettina. Up Close & Unplugged". Brettina FAN PAGE. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
- "International Creative Talent Agency". International Creative Talent Agency. Archived from the original on January 1, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
- "Bahamian night – May 8". Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
- Nadal, James (November 18, 2010). "Brettina". All About Jazz.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20110415003918/http://www.jazzwax.com/2010/07/brettina-the-new-sound-of-jazz.html
- https://web.archive.org/web/20140419015943/http://bohemiansoul.com/boutique/2011/01/the-beautiful-sounds-of-brettina/
- "Brettina Robinson Beautiful Artist". Bahamians Online. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.