Born: April 24, 1983 Primary Instrument: Vocal
About Megan
At home on stage and in the spotlight from a very young age with an innate love and talent for music and singing, Megan began performing as a dancer, and the world of dance brought her first taste of national recognition.
Her experience with commercials starting at the age of 7; her first movie, “My Antonia”, at age 14; and her ongoing dance training set the stage for a rich repertoire of leading roles . Upon graduation she was one of three winners of the National Shakespeare Competition in New York City. She was also the recipient of a very selective national scholarship in the category of vocal jazz through the National Association for the Foundation of Arts.
She attended The Boston Conservatory, a sister school to The Berklee College of Music, for two years with a triple major in dance, theatre and voice. By age 20 she had studied with Anne Reinking and Gregory Hines, and was offered a Broadway Tour with the musical “Rent”. The Conservatory experience caused Megan to focus heavily on jazz music and soon she returned to Kansas City to begin building her career in jazz.
Home in Kansas City, Megan was soon featured with Greg Richter and David Basse at The New Point; she performed at the Phoenix; and at Jardines Jazz Club; she sang the blues with the Nortons. She also fronted her jazz trio called Birdsong, and she is deeply grateful for the ongoing support she receives from Kansas City clubs including Jardines, 12 Baltimore, and The Phoenix.
Megan feels very blessed to be accepted at such a young age into the community of immensely gifted musicians. Her passion is to help “carry the torch” for the heart and soul of jazz; not only by carrying forward the great standards, but also by bridging that tradition to other forms of musical expression, creating new statements and keeping jazz alive for today’s world and for generations to come. Her loyalty to Kansas City Jazz, the music, and the passion of the performance craft at its heart will be what drives her for years to come.
Last Updated: March 10, 2008
”Megan Birdsall: Next Big Thing? I'd put my money on Megan Birdsall. Pretty and vivacious, Birdsall
knows how to attract talent-” .... Pitch · Plastic Sax at MySpace ...
plasticsax.blogspot.com/2007/ 08/megan-birdsall-next-big-thing.html - 75k -
pitch.com ... “Live jazz lives again here, with local legends-in-the-making Megan Birdsall”
JAM: August/September 2006 Issue: For the Record
”It is spare, as Sivils, Smith, and Birdsall let the others in the band rest. ... This is an underperformed
gem, and my choice as Megan Birdsall's finest ...”
www.jazzkc.org/issues/2006-08/fortherecord.html - 42k
Kansas City - Best Of - Best Sexy Musician - Megan Birdsall (2007)
”Whoever invented the phrase homina homina homina had birds like Megan Birdsall in mind. When this
gorgeous, 28-year-old local jazz diva parts her red lips” ...Kansas City - Music - Pitch Music Showcase
Guide”As long as she's willing to stay in town, the next jazz generation has a chance.
www.meganbirdsall.com Megan Birdsall With this year's release of her debut CD, Track 13, Megan
Birdsall has been doing all right. The CD pushes what might be expected from a jazz vocalist..
Kansas City - Music - All the Rage
...” given that Birdsall's live performances always alternate lush, soulful singing with endearingly silly
stage banter”. myspace.com/meganbirdsall
TheReader.com | Omaha Weekly Reader
She has been a regular performer on the jazz club circuit in KC For more information visit
meganbirdsall.com
Megan Birdsall in Urban Times
Bird Takes Flight: Megan Birdsall reinvents the jazz wheel
BY RACHEL C MURPHY
As published in Urban Times Magazine
Birdsall Is the Word
Megan Birdsall and her brave combo are the best thing to happen to Kansas City jazz since yo’
grandma’s day.
By Jason Harper
I am a young Jazz Vocalist based in Kansas City Mo!!
My gear came with the body:)
