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. And it will be more than a concert, it will be a celebration of life and passion.
Jazz in Bloom will be staged on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16 in the Governor's Ballroom at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel.
Wright is still considerably young at the age of 23, but her voice has a depth that one would expect of a woman with double her years of experience. Her vocals are honest, open and pure. And she puts her heart and skilll into every performance.
The former National Children's Choir of The Bahamas member who has been singing jazz for four years is hosting the Jazz in Bloom Concert to help pay for her tuitition to music school.
"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," 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," said Wright.
She has officially found her voice after her choir stint and with an ensemble for a year. She used to sing solos when she was younger, but said she considered herself a background singer as she enjoyed harmonizing and blending, which didn't allow her voice to be picked out distinctively.
But 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 will be 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 upcoming 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.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian