Performance

Brenda smiling big at the piano

Brenda Earle Stokes has performed for hundreds of events, from informal house parties to upscale events for the United Nations, to gala events at the Waldorf Astoria.

Whether she is playing background piano or a featured performer with one of her ensembles, she will add ambiance to your event.

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“Stokes revs up on eclecticism, centering her jazz improvisation and pop-jazz adventures…shimmers with energetic scatting and cheery piano."

“This music speaks to artistic sophistication while addressing the quiet comforts of the medium.”

“Her keyboard work throughout embodies lyrical melody, deft harmonies and smart pacing…”

“She has her own way of writing music that meshes fine with modern jazz esthetics.”

“…the first to stand out was pianist-singer Brenda Earle, whose talent gracefully bridges jazz and pop.”

"…a breezy delight.”

brendaearlestokes

#throwbackthursday My first long term gig was as a

#throwbackthursday My first long term gig was as a singalong piano bar entertainer for @norwegiancruiseline back in the year 2000. At that point, I was a pretty established emerging jazz pianist and a pretty green singer. I had a pretty large repertoire (for a 23 year old!) but when I actually started the gig I made a horrifying discovery: most people did not want to hear jazz.

Up to this point in my life, my entire musical existance had been either classical music or jazz. Yes, I listened to pop music, but I couldn't really play any of it. This was a PROBLEM. I desperately wanted to keep the gig, plus I had given up my apartment and given away all of my wordly possessions, so I didn't exactly have anywhere to GO.

I needed to get versatile in a hurry.

I had brought with me several hundred CDs in one of those CD albums, plus a couple of fake books, so I at least had something to work with. **NOTE TO YOUNG PEOPLE - Spotify didn't exist yet. Neither did all those websites where the chords and lyrics are all written out for you.**

I had to old-school this problem. Every night when guests would request songs, I would write them down on a big list. I would then spend my entire day listening to songs, writing down the lyrics and transcribing the chords using a pitch pipe. (I didn't have access to a keyboard or piano in my cabin!)

I was learning 10+ songs a DAY and I would play the new ones several times a night, so I could master them. In the 3 months I worked there, I learned over 700 songs; most of which I could play from memory.

This was one of the most incredible musical and professional experiences of my life. I learned how to really entertain and connect with people from all over the world, I learned how to build a set to keep people listening AND I lived a breathed some of the greatest music ever written.

I carry that experience with me everywhere and have been so fortunate to share my wisdom with so many other young musicians. I went on to do a total of 19 months at sea and I paid for my fancy conservatory Master's degree in cash. #versatilityiskey
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#pianoandvoicewithbrenda #cruiseshiplife #cruiseshipmusicians

The most amazing part of being a voice teacher is

The most amazing part of being a voice teacher is helping someone discover their own voice. It takes a lot of work, a lot of weird sounds and a few tears, but it is the most thrilling experience.

@montemader came to me as a jazz singer who had just started writing her own songs. She wanted to work on strengthening her voice so she had a better connect to her singing. Fast forward a few years and this girl is ON FIRE. She transitioned through pop/R&B into rock and this chick can BELT. Her songs are totally one-of-a-kind, woman-empowerment anthems and some of them are pee-your-pants funny. She has taken Nashville by storm (seriously, they don't know what hit them!) and is already booking shows all over the place. I am blown away!

It has been a joy to watch what her vision, hard work and determination have led to. As a teacher I am you partner. My expertise + your vision + my support + your hard work = your musical dreams coming true.

How are you going to make your musical dreams come true?

#singinglessons #singinglessonsonline #voiceteacher #voiceteachersofinstagram #pianoandvoicewithbrenda #theversatilemusician #brendaearlestokes

This week I’m all about the @irealproapp. It’

This week I’m all about the @irealproapp. It’s long been a tool of #jazzmusicians so I made this infographic to give you some other ideas how to use it.
(Number 3 is my favorite!)
What is your favorite way to practice with the #irealpro ? Have you tried it?
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#youtube #youtubers #musicapps #practice #practicepiano #practicesinging #singersofinstagram #voiceteachersofinstagram #pianoteachersofinstagram #pianoandvoicewithbrenda #theversatilemusician

Having rhythm issues? Rhythm is something that is

Having rhythm issues? Rhythm is something that isn't often taught with the attention to detail that is needed.

I have known so many wonderful musicians who struggle with their rhythm. Maybe that's you? Maybe you have a student who struggles with rhythm and you don't know how to help them.

Rhythm Workout is the highly-requested new course by Brenda Earle Stokes. It is structured like an exercise class, and Brenda subdivides and claps hundreds of rhythm combinations, counting and subdividing until you achieve mastery. She shares creative ways of using her favorite rhythm tools to support this work.

In this course, you will learn:
How to develop a natural steady pulse
How to count and subdivide quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets and sixteenth notes with easy
Jazz rhythms, including how to swing and phrase
How to count challenging syncopations and quarter note triples
Creative uses of rhythm tools like the metronome and apps like the iReal Pro

This is a great workout guaranteed to challenge you, not matter what your level or what musical style you play. Level up your rhythm skills and observe how your entire musical level improves.

Available exclusively with The Versatile Musician membership (link in bio!)

I taught for 8 summers at the New York Summer Musi

I taught for 8 summers at the New York Summer Music Festival at @sunyoneonta and I absolutely LOVED conducting the jazz choir. We never had enough tenors and basses, so I would "recruit" them from all over the place.

I would force, er...encourage my jazz piano students to join, talk a bunch of classical pianists into the group and then sign up as many jazz instrumentalists I could. I always had a perfectly balanced group but somewhat rag-tag crew.

We had music theater singers, opera singers @jennykimgodfrey, jazz saxophonists and the odd percussionist in our group and we always made it work. (One of my favorite memories was a TTBB arrangement I did of @petereldridge Dark Out of the Night, which still gives me goosebumps all these years later).

The funny thing was that many of these non-jazz singers ended up singing jazz in high school and college and several of them have gone on to some stellar jazz careers. (I'm looking at you @nolynciw!)

Being a versatile musician doesn't just expand your professional life; It expands your musical universe. It makes you more creative and engaged and broadens who you are as an artist.
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#theversatilemusician #nysmf #musicteacherlife #jazzeducation #jazzeducationnetwork

Piano & Voice With Brenda