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Anita Ferrer

Anita Ferrer is a musical visionary and crusader who champions the underdog! Transcending a painful childhood and an abusive, failed marriage, she approaches life with passion, staunch determination and candor. Formerly passive and fearful, yet intensely creative, her dreams included becoming a rock star, fashion designer and writer. Childhood personal tragedies didn’t kill her dreams for long, for she enrolled in a local community college to break out of her shell. And break out she did, for she attacked her singing aspirations with a passionate vengeance. The late bloomer believes that, “You’re never too old to follow your dreams.” She jokingly retorts to friends who teasingly say she’s too old to get signed, “You’re just jealous!” In 1990, Mariah Carey’s debut and inspiring testimony of persistence and faith in the face of great odds was the leverage she used to aspire to her own success! She decided to infuse her biracial and multi-cultural influences into her music to carve a niche for her career. Favorite showcases were performing at the renowned Bitter End and Kenny’s Castaways in Manhattan, The Stone Pony and The Saint in her home town, Asbury Park, N.J. and being the monthly featured artist at Border’s Books. She also has appeared at several Clearwater Festivals. Anita’s following grew while playing at Starbuck’s in Sea Girt, N.J. for two years. Her favorite moments involved the children who watched her perform. She is still loyal though, to The Brighton Bar and the Saint where she was given her first breaks. A meaningful show was her contribution to “The Creation of Eve-Original Women of Rock” benefit at Harry’s Roadhouse in Asbury Park in September of 2003. The show’s purpose was to raise funds for the rape care program of “180-Turning Lives Around,” a cause Anita strongly believes in. Along with her performing, advocating for broken people in crisis has been her passion. Anita debuted with her first collaborative effort, “I’ll Fly High,” in 1996. The release was co-written with several talented songwriting partners. Chris Dargis, music critic for BUDO magazine wrote, “Anita’s not looking for celebrity status if it means sacrificing what’s truly important, educating younger people through music…Many of the tunes are inviting due to the awesome musicians involved…filled with love and relaxation of a higher being. Fun stuff!” The Asbury Park Press wrote, “She is most inspired with her religious songs. ‘He Believed in Me’ has a jazzy pop sound reminiscent of Swing Out Sister.” Disappointed and frustrated by male guitarists who never stuck around, Anita pondered her next move in her artistic growth.

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