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Bonnie J Jensen

A Singer, Songwriter and Pianist who brings a fresh perspective to Jazz.

About Me

”…Jensen's title ballad, “The Sapphire Tree”, an original, displays a talent for both musical composition and poetic lyrics, evident too on “Neon Soliloquy”: “Like a diamond in the river, as precious as the African rain, this glimpse of bliss will sustain you, again and again…”

John McBeath –The Weekend Australian 2007

“Australian jazz chanteuse Bonnie J Jensen is one of a covey of new female jazz vocalists bringing a fresh perspective to the jazz culture. She joins the likes of America’s Norah Jones, Britain’s Claire Martin and Sweden’s Linda Pettersson in bringing a soft, sweet, sultry, soulful synapse to the jazz idiom.” Voodoo Child Magazine USA 2009

“This is an experienced singer…and it’s the Diana Krall-like combination of innocence and sexy womanliness somewhere in the timbre of the voice that lets you know.”

Shane Nicols – www.allaboutjazz.com 2002

A unique and versatile singer, songwriter and pianist, Bonnie was born in New Zealand but based in Sydney for many years and has worked in a variety of musical situations in Australia and internationally. In 2009 she enjoyed engagements at Stockholm’s legendary jazz club named Stampen, Singapore’s Southbridge Jazz Club, Kuala Lumpur’s Alexis Club and Barcelona’s Bel Luna Jazz Club. She has also performed at numerous interstate corporate functions, assorted events and Jazz Festivals with her Australian-based group.

An acoustic-orientated jazz musician, Bonnie is a solid piano player and an experienced singer with an extensive repertoire and a voice that moves effortlessly from swinging standards, blues, pop and funk, to smooth bossa nova and heart-felt ballads.

Now a prolific recording artist, Bonnie released her 4th album “SHIMMER’ in May 2010. PBS Radio have declared Shimmer her most personal and intimate release - “... Her trademarks are all there, the smoky timbre of her voice, the pitch perfect accuracy, the lovely way she controls her lower register.

Robin Lynam, music editor at the South China Morning Post said “The lyrics are among her best to date, particularly First Love’s Call, which in some respects recalls Joni Mitchell, and is inspired by her mother’s life. She shares Mitchell’s gift for catching the nuances of other women’s experiences in simple but evocative lines, as she does in Spend A Little Time with Me, in which she is, she says, “channeling my girlfriends”.

For this project she teamed up with the cream of the Sydney jazz scene - Graham Jesse (flute and sax), Matt McMahon (piano), James Muller (guitar), Nicolas McBride (Drums), Phil Stack (Bass) and special guest James Morrison (Trumpet).

Bonnie’s recording career began in 2001 with her debut release, Lucky So & So. This album quickly reached No.3 in the Australian Independent Jazz Charts. It was surpassed by her second release Blue Joy in 2004 that featured luminaries Don Rader (trumpet), Jeremy Sawkins (guitar) and Jon Zwartz (bass). Blue Joy rose to No.8 in Japan’s Swing Journal Jazz charts in 2004 and includes Bonnie’s original “Tokyo Skies”.

February 2007 marked the release of her third album The Sapphire Tree. This album has European sound and features the core musicians of the ARIA-winning ensemble Wanderlust – Miroslav Bukovsky (trumpet), Fabian Hevia (drums), Alister Spence (piano) and Jeremy Sawkins (guitar).

Whether singing out front with her sextet, or as a singer/pianist with bass, Bonnie creates a sophisticated, vibrant and stylish ambience.