| Doreen Smith loves to sing. Her
clear voice, incredible vocal range, and repertoire of over 200 songs have
made her a favourite at festivals, clubs, and cafes in her native Montreal,
South Western Ontario, and most recently in Toronto.
Since the release of her first CD
“Notes From Home” in November 1999, Smith has been regularly featured
on CJRT and CBC. Her silky
vocals explore new dimensions of classic jazz standards and original material.
Known as a consummate professional with uncompromising musical integrity,
Smith has performed with many musical greats, including Juno-nominee Bernie
Senensky (who appeared on her CD), Jane Bunnett, Peter Appleyard, and
Bo Diddley.
Doreen Smith’s professional career
began at age 15. She studied theatre in Montreal and was an apprentice
at La Poudriere Theatre. She won first prize in a CBC Talent Search that
was televised from coast to coast. Smith has numerous jingles to her credit
and has performed for corporate clients from Bell Canada to the OHL and
Seagrams. She can sing in both English and French.
Since moving to Ontario, Smith has
impressed audiences at the Toronto Jazz Festival, Waterloo Jazz Festival,
and the London Big Band Festival. She also appeared with the Niagara Symphony
Orchestra as part of the Shaw Festival in 1993-94, and with Amanda Marshall
and Salome Bey in the Toronto Blues Society’s “Women in Blues” review
in 1990. Smith has also performed the National Anthem for the Toronto
Blue Jays on numerous occasions. Currently, Smith is playing
at locations in and around Toronto with some of the city’s top jazz talent.
Her new CD “In the Still of the Night” (a tribute to Julie London)
is already receiving rave reviews; especially among audiophiles. The album was recorded acoustically
in Montreal using a specially designed microphone. The CD debuted at “Festival du
Son” in March when Smith made a guest appearance at the famed jazz venue
“Biddle’s”. The presence and warmth of Smith’s voice mated with the sultry
“London” repertoire are not to be missed.
Currently, Smith is playing
at locations in and around Toronto with some of the city's top jazz talent.
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