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Belinda Underwood

A QUICK HERSTORY: Belinda Underwood's first exposures to music occurred five nights a week while she was captive in her jazz-pianist-mother's womb. With birth, the nightly exposure continued while she napped under the piano in a car seat. After a childhood of violin lessons, harp lessons, orchestras and choirs, music became her choice when she fell in love with the upright bass at age sixteen. In high school she traveled as a bass player (on scholarship) to Australia with the Monterey Jazz Festival Honor Band, and in college she played and traveled with the UC Berkeley Wednesday Band. Singing professionally didn't occur to her until years later when she was playing the bass at the Jazzschool in Berkeley. At the Jazzschool, Belinda studied with Mark Levine, Ledisi, Raz Kennedy, Stephanie Bruce, Brian Pardo, Glenn Richman, and Frank Martin. It was there that she met David Friesen during a workshop and decided to go to Portland for bass lessons (after a quick trip to Cuba to study music and dance at the University of Havana). When asked what she valued most from her lessons with Friesen, she replied, "He encouraged me to write songs." Her debut album was launched nationally in 2005. Underwood Uncurling features David Friesen, Airto Moreira, John Gross, Dan Balmer, Clay Giberson, Chad Wagner, Jason Levis, and Pink Martini members Phil Baker and Martin Zarzar. She sings (and plays some bass too) on the album, which is comprised of her original compositions and jazz standards. "Underwood Uncurling" has been played on over 150 radio stations across the USA,C anada, and Europe. It has been reviewed by LA Times, Jazz Improv Magazine, and about 30 other publications. Reviews are posted at Belinda's website. Belinda is currently singing and playing around Portland with Beliss (a sister duo), Underwood and Friends, Pachamanca (Latin), and Sarab (Middle Eastern music). She has also been touring recently with Benny Green playing accompanying on the piano.

Belinda Underwood: Underwood Uncurling

Read "Underwood Uncurling" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
April 11, 2005

Portland, Oregon-based vocalist/bassist Belinda Underwood opens her debut with Mel Torme's “Born To Be Blue," employing a vocal style that seems a curious mixture of coy guilelessness and sultry sensuality. Not bad for someone who started as an instrumentalist--bass, violin, baritone ukulele, piano, harp--and then started singing late in the game because she couldn't make her bass play the sounds she was thinking, forcing her resort to her voice.

Underwood Uncurling features six of Underwood's own compositions, the highlight perhaps ...

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Performance / Tour

Belinda Underwood May Schedule

Source: All About Jazz
May 4, 2006

Belinda Underwood, the West Coast's premier jazz singer/songwriter, is gearing up for a busy May...

May 12th-14th: Belinda will be performing a series of in-store performances at Toronto's largest book and music store, Indigo.

May 14th: Belinda makes her Toronto club debut with some of Toronto's leading jazz musicians at: The Red Guitar 603 Markham St. Toronto, ON M6G-2L7 Canada

Richard Whiteman-piano Brandi Disterheft-bass Sly Juhas-drums ...
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108

Performance / Tour

Belinda Underwood: Portland Based Composer, Bassist and Vocalist Displays Depth and Maturity beyond Her Years

Source: All About Jazz
January 29, 2006

One of LA's most captivating Brazilian trios will join Portland-based jazz Vocalist, Bassist and Composer, Belinda Underwood for a night of enchantment. The nubile songstress has been wowing audiences across the nation with her vocal maturity and seemingly effortless scatting. Often described as “sultry," seductive," and “charming," Underwood's voice transports the listener through various story lines. The stories are impeccably crafted original compositions, and skillfully interpretive renditions of the classic standards. You will be convinced by her blend of precision ...
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Performance / Tour

Belinda Underwood on Tour in San Diego

Source: All About Jazz
August 15, 2005

BELINDA UNDERWOOD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 11, 2005

*Prolific Portland Oregon Composer Vocalist plays Bellefluer Winery *

GOING FOR ARTIST PREVIEW/CD REVIEW

Debut Appearance in San Diego - Full Press Kit & CD Available Upon Request

Belinda Underwood, critically acclaimed vocalist and composer will be making her debut San Diego appearance on a leg of her US tour at the Bellefleur Winery on Wednesday, August 24, 2005. Underwood has been winning hearts across the U.S. with ...
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Event

Belinda Underwood In Concert at The Jazz School

Source: All About Jazz
April 5, 2005

Kari-On Productions P.O. Box 436 Evans, GA. 30809 706.294.9996 [email protected]

Press Release Immediate Release

The Jazzschool of Berkeley, CA. Presents

Belinda Underwood In Concert

Date:April 22, 2005 Time:8 pm - 10 pm Price: $10 all ages ok Location: 2087 Addison St. Berkeley, CA 94704 Ph: 510-845-5373 F: 510-841-5373 Main Office Hours: M-Th: 9am-12pm, 2-6pm Sat: 11:30am-2:30pm

Vocalist, Bassist, Composer, Belinda Underwood, “her ability to convey raw emotions and lifelike lyrics further draw you into her unique vibe. Her phrasing and ...
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Recording

Belinda Underwood CD Release Party

Source: All About Jazz
February 1, 2005

... "she's sultry, assertive, compelling.............And, nice looking too! Oregon based Jazz singer Belinda Underwood comes to us multi-honed.......A double threat..........She can burn hard on her acoustic bass, while she delivers her rendition of The American Songbook. Belinda possesses a voice that renders song with a mastery of inflection.......All backed up by her bold, innovative, non-compromising, & tight jazz group. This is one hell of an argument for a junket to Portland, Oregon to imbibe the animated & pro-active artistic offerings a great jazz town proffers." ~~ Author: George W