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Barbie Anaka

A clear, fresh voice: smooth jazz, seductive soul, sophisticated songwriting, deep emotions and pure pop perfection…that’s the sound of Barbie Anaka, contemporary vocalist, songwriter, pianist, producer, and music educator. A mix of eclectic influences; artists like: Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Sade and Prince; her style blends meaningful lyrics, solid grooves and catchy melodies. Rave reviews at radio, television and print media say she’s one to watch while her music climbs the charts nationally. Carol Handley, respected radio personality says, “The long awaited new Barbie Anaka project sounds fantastic. The title track, Speechless, is a favorite song on Smooth In Seattle. Great production values and fits right into the Smooth Jazz vibe. Nice to have a new vocalist to share with the format.” Seattle radio host Cedric James of KWJZ-FM, 98.9 “Smooth Jazz” states, “Barbie Anaka is a jazz vocalist well on her way to earning national recognition.” Los Angeles’ New Music Weekly magazine writes, “Were we ever impressed… this artist combines brains with beauty… and has excellent material that is very radio ready.” Barbie’s third CD, “Speechless”, was released on 1/6/13 to a sold out crowd at Seattle’s Triple Door. The single (the title track) is currently being played on over 60 radio stations nationwide and debuted on the smooth jazz radio charts at #35. Speechless made an impact abroad, holding strong on the UK Soul Chart (Top 30) at number 15 for three months. EQ Music Limited (a record label in Southeast Asia) licensed Speechless for release throughout Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, and Barbie signed a music publishing deal with the prestigious Carlin Music in the UK. Drawn to piano at age 5, Barbie taught herself to play and compose. She honed performance skills studying piano, voice, dance, acting and modeling through her school years. Musical proficiency and tenacity paid off; a producer hired Barbie at age 15 as back-up vocalist for recording sessions. Musicals, commercials and modeling work followed. Attending prestigious Cornish College of the Arts via a Merit scholarship, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music (jazz voice). Then at 19, airplay of her first jazz demo on KPLU- FM garnered interest of well-respected industry veterans: bassist/composer John Clayton, Jr. (The Clayton Brothers, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall), hit songwriter/producer Jay King (of Club Nouveau/Timex Social Club fame), and jazz pianist Billy Wallace (Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRea). They became mentors, guiding the promising vocalist through ins and outs of music and the music business.

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Performance / Tour

Barbie Anaka Debuts New Album, "Speechless" With Triple Door Performance on January 6th

Barbie Anaka Debuts New Album, "Speechless" With Triple Door Performance on January 6th

Source: Barbie Anaka

SEATTLE SONGSTRESS DEBUTS NEW ALBUM, “SPEECHLESS" WITH TRIPLE DOOR PERFORMANCE Seattle's own Barbie Anaka performs at The Triple Door on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 7:30pm in celebration of the release of her third album, entitled “Speechless". A triple threat as a contemporary jazz singer/songwriter/producer, Anaka enjoyed success with her first two recordings, “In Love With a Memory" and “Ballads Through the Night." She appeared live on Fox's morning news with her band and performed throughout the region after selling ...

"The long awaited new Barbie Anaka project sounds fantastic. The title track, Speechless, is a favorite song on Smooth In Seattle. Great production values and fits right into the Smooth Jazz vibe. Nice to have a new vocalist to share with the format." -Carol Handley, smoothinseattle.com "Were we ever impressed. This artist combines brains with beauty and has got some excellent material that is very radio ready. Barbie has some strong singles." -New Music Weekly Magazine, Los Angeles "One thing is certain- this girl can sing! Seattle's Barbie Anaka is a truly great female singer." -indiemusicreview.com "You want sultry and seductive, powerful and inspiring, tender and romantic, it is all here!" -weekendenvironments.com "Anaka's voice is pure and fresh, and her deeply caring heart clearly is at the root of her singing." -New Age Retailer Magazine "Barbie Anaka is a more angelic Streisand with a sultry, resonant, rich voice that turns old-fashioned classic jazz into living magic

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Primary Instrument

Vocals

Location

Seattle

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

-B.F.A. in Jazz Voice from Cornish College of the Arts (Seattle, WA) -Private study with Dee Daniels, Karen Oleson, John Clayton, Billy Wallace -Private teaching experience of 20+ years

Clinic/Workshop Information

I teach courses on the music business, how to produce and market your own recordings, songwriting, voice and piano.

Miles Davis
trumpet
Sade
vocals
Teena Marie
vocals
Prince
multi-instrumentalist

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Speechless

Green Light Productions
2013

buy

Ballads Through the...

Green Light Productions
2003

buy

In Love With a Memory

Green Light Productions
2001

buy

Videos

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