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Verena McBee

Born and raised in Northern Germany Verena McBee has been always connected to the arts. At age 7 she took piano lessons in her hometown at the Conservatory of Osnabrueck, added the flute at age 14 and at the same time joined a local theatre group. In 1993 she studied classical music for teaching ( piano & flute ) & German language and literature at the "University Osnabrueck" and finished in 1997 

with her first State examination. While studying music in Osnabrueck, she auditioned for acting schools and was accepted in Hamburg at "Acting School Studio O33" in 1997. While studying drama she added vocal lessons (Belcanto) to her program outside the school program. In the years of 2000-2006 Verena appeared as actress and vocalist under her maiden name Verena Gemsa in Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Brussels, Prisdina and NYC. In 2004 she met her now husband, Cecil McBee and moved to NYC in 2007. Inspired by him and especially the music of Sarah Vaughan Verena started studying Jazz Vocals with different instructors, amongst them Brianna Thomas, Roberta Gambarini & Nicole Zuraitis

Since 2009 she's appearing on the NYC scene with originals & her arrangements on Jazz Standards at 
"ZINC Bar", "JAZZ at KITANO", "Metropolitan Room", "Cornelia Street Cafe", "Pangea","GARAGE", "Somethin' Jazz Club", "The Cupping Room Cafe", "Shrine","Les Pescadeaux", "Nirvana", "5C Cafe", and also performed as guest vocalist w/ "Transcendt" - The Cecil McBee Band, (Hillsdale/NY and Harpers Ferry/ WV at the "Don Redman Heritage Award"- Concert '14 for and with Cecil McBee (& Billy Harper) & the 'Howard Burns Quartet')

She has appeared with David Kikoski & Mark Soskin on piano and also shared the stage as a guest with Cecil McBee, Victor Lewis, Billy Hart & George Cables.

In January 2013 she produced her Debut Jazz album (Can't help it!) with her trio: Billy Test/Piano, Zwelakhe Duma F. Bell du Pere/Double Bass and Brian Woodruff/drums, which was released in September '13.

In November of 2018 she released her youngest album: "U-PHORIA - Verena McBee sings the music of Cecil McBee" with Christian Contreras on Soprano & Tenor Saxophones, Gabriel Dowdy-Terracciano on Violin, Billy Test on Piano, Zwelkahe Duma Bell LePere on Bass and Jon DiFiore on Drums. -

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"Verena McBee is a powerful and very expressive singer with a wide range. Born and raised in Germany, she was classically trained and had a busy career working as an actress. Since moving to New York in 2007, she has developed into a fine jazz singer and appeared in many venues, generally in the New York area." —Scott Yanow, Jazz Journalist

Full Review of Debut Album "Can't help it !" by Scott Yanow:

"For her recording debut as a leader, Verena McBee is joined by pianist Billy Test, bassist Zwelakhe Duma-Bell LePere and drummer Brian Woodruff, mostly performing fresh and inventive versions of standards

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

U-PHORIA - Verena...

LeMac Music, Lady Bee Music
2018

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Can't help it!

Self Produced
2013

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Videos

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