Bio Amanda Brecker, a singer/songwriter hailing from New York City. She signed her first Japanese record deal in 2008 with Birds Records. In the same year, her debut album “Here I Am” was released. ADLIB also awarded her the New Star International Prize. “Here I Am”, her jazz vocal CD, went on to be the number one best-selling jazz album of 2008! In Japan, Amanda released her second album, Brazilian Passion. Amanda’s roots are represented by this album, which is a mix of Brazilian and American music. The album features four original compositions by Amanda and is influenced by Brazilian rhythms. The album features two tracks featuring Ivan Lins, a Brazilian legend who sings with Amanda on two of them. In 2009, Swing Journal Japan awarded this album the Gold Disc Award. Amanda signed with Universal Music Japan in November 2010. Her third album, “Blossom”, was recorded by Jesse Harris, a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter. Universal proposed the concept of “Blossom,” which is a tribute to James Taylor, and Carole King. The album features some of James Taylor’s musicians: Russ Kunkel (drums), Lee Sklar and Larry Goldings (piano/keyboard), as well as Jesse Harris (acoustic guitar), and Anthony Wilson (electric guitar). In Japan, the album was released May 2011 to celebrate Carole King’s 40th anniversary of “Tapestry”. The album was finally released in the United States two years later on February 26, 2012. Amanda was a gifted musician from a young age. She was 5 years old when she could create melodies, harmonys, and words on her own singing and playing the piano. This demonstrated a natural talent for songwriting. She is the daughter and granddaughter of the jazz trumpeter Randy Brecker and Brazilian singer Eliane Elias. Michael Brecker, a late saxophonist and Michael’s uncle, is her aunt. Amanda, who was 8 years old at the time, sang on Eliane Elias’s album “Fantasia” interpreting Milton Nascimento’s “Ponta de Areia”. It was a performance that moved the composer to his knees. Amanda, then nine years old, performed in Paris with Milton Nascimento after the recording was completed. Before she started her solo career, she sang on many Eliane Elias’ albums and performed live with mother on numerous occasions. Amanda started writing songs at the piano age fifteen. Three years ago, she picked up the guitar and was able to see a new way of writing songs. A new album, “Way To Be”, was recorded by her. It is a mix of Brazilian/American pop music with rhythms from different parts of Brazil. The album was recorded in Los Angeles by Jesse Harris, Mario Caldato (Bebel Gilberto and Beastie Boys, Vanessa Da Mata and Jack Johnson, Planet Hemp) and features many original compositions from Amanda Brecker. The album also includes a duet with Tiago Iorc, a Brazilian artist. With the help of Projeto Qabales, Salvador, Bahia, she recorded a track called “Papo Furado”. On July 9, Universal Records released “Way To Be” in Japan. Brazil and US releases to be announced. from www.amandabrecker.com
