Tasha Wenger

A Latin pulse-driven treasure of musical gems, Tasha Wenger’s just released Love Lane brings a new set of standards to the jazz realm. The road leading Ms. Wenger to Love Lane has been exciting and varied. She chose the scenic route.

Born in Bay Shore, New York, Tasha has called Berlin, Los Angeles, London, Boston, Bali, Tel Aviv and New York City home.

Initially, opportunity lured Tasha into studying opera which then brought her to New York University to study the classics with Stella Adler followed by New York/Los Angeles theatre and Shakespeare festivals, film, television, and commercial work.

Theatrical beginnings lead to jazz performances. A self taught saxophonist, Tasha played with various Los Angeles big bands eventually becoming the bands lead singer. She cut her jazz teeth singing in hotels performing a vast repertoire of songs from the 1920’s - 1980’s, honing her skills working intimately with her audience. Sammy Davis Jr., Anita O’Day, Eartha Kitt, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Chris Connor and Tom Jones have all influenced Tasha’s vocal performances. Jazz offers Ms. Wenger creative musical freedom where she can be private in public. Telling the song’s story is what she loves most about performing in jazz clubs, even with the list of songs she says she can’t sing without crying. Ultimately, it is Tasha's live performances that generate the most enthusiasm. Tasha Wenger has written and performed her one-woman shows, Stalker, the music of Carl Sigman, and The Tasha Show with songs in seven languages, to sold-out audiences in New York.

Miss Wenger is recognized for her unique approach to jazz and has appeared in many premier jazz clubs: In Los Angeles at The Catalina Bar & Grill, Steamers, Lunaria, and the Orange County Pavilion; New York at Danny’s Skylight Room, Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar, Detour, Chez Suzette, and internationally in Italy, Germany and Israel.

September 2010 Miss Wenger returns to Europe to tour Love Lane. Engineered by Mark V, Love Lane contains popular songs of the 1960's-1980's. With double GRAMMY award winning pianist Llew Matthews also serving as music director, Tasha Wenger leads a cohesive, intuitive group of the finest jazz musicians in the west that includes guitarist Thom Rotella, bassist John Belzaguy, drummer Ramon Banda, percussionist Jose "Papo" Rodrigues, violin, trombone and tuba player Dan Weinstein, guitarist Ruben Ramos and percussionist Bobby Matos. Celebrated on Love Lane’s thirteen tracks are Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s Wives and Lovers and Windows of the World, and Tasha’s velvet-voiced rendition of Jesse Barish’s Hearts originally sung by Marty Ballin, among others.

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