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Verena McBee

"Verena McBee is a powerful and very expressive singer with a wide range." ( Scott Yanow)

About Me

Born and raised in Germany, she was classically trained and had a busy career working as an actress. Since moving to New York in 2007, she has developed into a fine jazz singer and appeared in many venues, generally in the New York area.” Scott Yanow, Jazz Journalist / Historian / Author (“The Jazz Singers”, “The Great Jazz Guitarists”, “Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76” )

Verena McBee Born and raised in Northern Germany Verena McBee has been always connected to the arts. Starting at age 7 she took piano lessons over 15 years in her hometown at the Conservatory of Osnabrueck and added the flute at age 14 and joined a local theater group.

In 1993 she studied classical music for teaching (piano & flute) & German language and literature at the ”University Osnabrueck”.

She finished in 1997   with her first State examination. While studying music in Osnabrueck, Verena auditioned for acting schools and was accepted in Hamburg at “Schule fuer Schauspiel” in 1997.

In the years of 2000-2006 Verena appeared as actress and vocalist under her maiden name Verena Gemsa in Hamburg, Munich, Vienna, Cologne, Brussels, Prisdina and NYC.

In 2004 she met her now husband Cecil McBee and moved to NYC in 2007. Inspired by the music of Sarah Vaughan Verena started studying Jazz Vocals with several different instructors, among them Brianna Thomas, Roberta Gambarini and Nicole Zuraitis.

Since 2009 she's appearing on the NYC jazz scene and has performed at “CHELSEA TABLE & STAGE”, “PANGEA” “JAZZ at KITANO”, “METROPOLITAN ROOM”, “The FLUTE BAR”, “”GARAGE”, “ZINC BAR”, “CORNELIA STREET CAFE”, “The Cupping Room Cafe”, “Shrine”,”Les Pescadeaux”, “Nirvana”, ”5C Cafe”, Antibes” and others places and also performed as guest vocalist w/”Transcendt” - The Cecil McBee Band, Hillsdale/NY and Harpers Ferry/ WV at the “Don Redman Heritage Award”-Concert '14 for and with Cecil McBee (& Billy Harper) & the 'Howard Burns Quartet'.

She has appeared with John Colianni, David Kikoski, Mark Soskin, John DiMartino & Matt Baker on piano and also shared the stage as a guest with Cecil McBee, George Cables, Victor Lewis and Craig Holiday Haynes.

In January 2013 Verena produced her Debut Jazz album ( “Can't help it !”) with her trio: Billy Test/Piano, Zwelakhe Duma F. Bell du Pere/Double Bass and Brian Woodruff/drums, which was released in September of 2013 and is available on this website, on CD Baby & on Amazon.

In 2018 “U-PHORIA”, her 2nd album with all compositions by her husband jazz bassist Cecil McBee and her lyrics, was released in November. Verena's band expanded to a Sextet with this production and features Gabriel Dowdy-Terracciano on Violin, Christian Contreras on Soprano & Tenor Saxophone, Billy Test on Piano, Zwelkahe-Duma F. Bell LePere on Bass & Jon DiFiore on Drums.

In June 2020 she started to host her own monthly online “Jazz Duo Series” with pianists John Colianni, John DiMartino & Matt Baker, which is available on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

In 2024 she established a residency at the FLUTE BAR, a historic speakeasy in midtown Manhattan.

On May 2nd 2025 Verena released her 3rd album “Bird(S)wing”, available on all streaming platforms and through her website (www.verenamcbeejazz.com). This album is a collection of recordings from three different time period: 2017 with John DiMartino (piano) & Paul Beaudry (bass). 2020 with John Colianni (piano), Paul Beaudry )bass) & Wayne Henderson(drums) & 2024 with Alberto Pibiri (piano), Stefano Battaglia (bass) & Craig Holiday Haynes (drums). The title track is an original tune by the singer, composer and lyricist.

Contact Me

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because...it excites me, moves me, touches my soul, moves my body, inspires, makes me try to figure out new ways of expression and is extremely social and brings people of all sorts and nations together. I was first exposed to jazz...through meeting Cecil McBee, my husband. He introduced me quickly to the music of Sarah Vaughan as I loved singing, but was prior to my time in America more exposed to German /European classical and stage music. I met [musician name]...Cecil McBee first. Married him. Then I met everyone else :) The best show I ever attended was... Can't really tell. Jazz performances are so unique - Everyone is a journey. The first jazz record I bought was...Duke Ellington "Jump for Joy" My advice to new listeners... Open your mind. Open your Heart. Let the music touch you.

My House Concert Story

During the pandemic I started LIVE streaming on Instagram and Facebook from home as a Duo with first John Colianni, then John Di Martino and then Matt Baker. It totally excited me to reach so many people, yet being in the safe environment of a living room. I made more connections and improved my interaction with people and listeners on social media.