Fresh out of College, Amanda took her first step into the pop world for a summer season as the pianist in a trio. The trio became a duo, before she began her solo career in 1985. It was then that Amanda realised her enormous love for singing which until then had just been background to her playing.
Her experience coupled with her classical training on the piano has given her the skill to explore and experiment with her varied styles and improvisations. Her vocal range has developed into a beautiful and natural sound which totally compliments her skill on the piano. Someone once wrote of her "..you sing like an angel and swing like the devil!"
Since 1985, Amanda has performed in some of the most opulent hotels all over the world. While many of these high class establishments require the sophisticated style of music at which Amanda excels, it would be remiss not to mention one of the main reasons for her numerous return bookings - her popularity. The root of this lies in her overwhelming warmth and charm, coupled with an incredibly sharp wit. With some 20 years of on the road experience under her belt Amanda feels that her humour has proved to be a valuable friend.
"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." - Victor Borge
Playing two keyboards and bass pedals with an awesome repertoire of over 600 songs comprising jazz, blues, pop, swing and show tunes, her versatility over the years has lent itself to almost any venue from sophisticated cocktail bar to a busy urban club.
"Without a piano it’s just a bar, with it, it becomes a theatre." - unknown
Amanda’s love for singing and playing the piano continued for the best part of 20 years, and in 2001 she decided to leave her nomadic life on the road and come home. She felt her career needed a new direction, but in which direction - well who knew? Amanda says "I love my music and entertaining and I love people too, but it’s time for a change after so long working in hotel bars. I’ve got tons of energy and enthusiasm which just needs channelling, that’s all."
"The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands, but in seeing with
new eyes" - Marcel Proust.
and now ...
To see where all this energy and enthusiasm went check out Community Workshops and my Song Book,in the Workshops Section, and my Radio Show, and One Woman Show, in the Appearances Section, or if you prefer use the navigation links above.
Her experience coupled with her classical training on the piano has given her the skill to explore and experiment with her varied styles and improvisations. Her vocal range has developed into a beautiful and natural sound which totally compliments her skill on the piano. Someone once wrote of her "..you sing like an angel and swing like the devil!"
Since 1985, Amanda has performed in some of the most opulent hotels all over the world. While many of these high class establishments require the sophisticated style of music at which Amanda excels, it would be remiss not to mention one of the main reasons for her numerous return bookings - her popularity. The root of this lies in her overwhelming warmth and charm, coupled with an incredibly sharp wit. With some 20 years of on the road experience under her belt Amanda feels that her humour has proved to be a valuable friend.
"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." - Victor Borge
Playing two keyboards and bass pedals with an awesome repertoire of over 600 songs comprising jazz, blues, pop, swing and show tunes, her versatility over the years has lent itself to almost any venue from sophisticated cocktail bar to a busy urban club.
"Without a piano it’s just a bar, with it, it becomes a theatre." - unknown
Amanda’s love for singing and playing the piano continued for the best part of 20 years, and in 2001 she decided to leave her nomadic life on the road and come home. She felt her career needed a new direction, but in which direction - well who knew? Amanda says "I love my music and entertaining and I love people too, but it’s time for a change after so long working in hotel bars. I’ve got tons of energy and enthusiasm which just needs channelling, that’s all."
"The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands, but in seeing with
new eyes" - Marcel Proust.
and now ...
To see where all this energy and enthusiasm went check out Community Workshops and my Song Book,in the Workshops Section, and my Radio Show, and One Woman Show, in the Appearances Section, or if you prefer use the navigation links above.
With all the words in our dictionary, I’m still unable to find a few to describe the atmosphere live music can bring to ANY occasion. Even with my 25 years experience as a professional entertainer I never fail to be filled with pride and immense joy when the person who booked me says my music had completely made their evening.
Since I began my career all those years ago, the music profession has changed enormously. Many three, four and five-piece bands have now been replaced with one-man bands and their backing tracks. As a classically trained musician I found listening to this kind of outfit seriously tedious after only a few songs, despite some singers’ fabulous voices or entertaining skills. But listening to so much of it going on around me I could see that I had two choices; beat them or join them. So for a few years I bought a keyboard which gave me a full sound allowing me to encourage dancing. However, I soon found this soul destroying and hugely removed from a profession I had previously embraced and loved.
With the metaphysics I was studying, and the radio interviews I was enjoying on my weekly show, I realized that in fact I had three choices, not two; beat them, join them or hey, guess what? Be true to yourself Mandy.
I’ve now learned (the hard way) that you cannot fail in that department. Being true to myself quickly moved me out of the competitive arena into my own unique arena where I can excel at doing what I do best.
So now I just sing and play one piano, no keyboard, backing tracks, nothing. It’s classy, tasteful, and still encompasses a wide range of music and is in fact accompanied by something else... a huge dollop of humour and fun! These companions travel with me everywhere I go 24/7.
