Anne Walsh

Born Anne Valerie Walsh in Worcester, Massachusetts into a musical family. Her father Frank was a baritone/tenor who sang in many productions for local light opera companies. Early on, Anne’s parents knew they had a singer on their hands. After taking her to see a local production of “Oklahoma” she continued to sing the melodies from the score all the way home. Anne humorously recalls, “At age seven, I wanted to be Shirley Jones.”

After her high school choir girl days, Anne went on to attend Anna Maria College where she studied voice and music therapy. However, she wanted more in the form of a performance career. After graduation the determined young singer ventured out to southern California to pursue her dream. Upon arriving in LA, she put her degree to work helping people through the use of music therapy; while in the evenings taking any stage with an open mic she could find, and heeding the advice of her favorite voice teacher back home “Anne, sing at any dog show you can find.”

Anne soon found her voice driving a forgettable classic rock band, but in time realized it wasn’t the best use of her talents. A musician colleague suggested she enroll at Orange Coast College, where she met the head of the jazz department, and enrolled in jazz improv classes and the big band rehearsal groups.

While performing in a concert with the OCC Big Band, a percussionist in the audience took note of her voice. “You need to audition for Sal at Carmello’s,” he said. That following weekend, Anne landed her first real jazz gig by way of Brazil. This was her introduction to the world of Jobim, Dori Caymmi, Basia, and Flora Purim. “The experience of singing Brazilian music gave my voice a freedom I had never known before.”

Despite the doors that were opening, Anne felt she needed to further her education and pursued a Master’s degree in music, doing so at Cal State Long Beach. There, she once again renewed her studies in classical voice, training in the bel canto style. “Opera is huge endeavor. It strengthened my voice in ways I could not have imagined.”

It was at this time, with the encouragement of her voice teacher, that Anne began auditioning for roles in light operas and musicals. After performing soubrette roles of Despina and Zerlina in Mozart operas, Anne decided to focus more on musicals, landing lead roles in “Music Man” (Marian), “Sound of Music” (Maria) and “She Loves Me” (Amalia), to name a few.

After receiving her Masters degree, Anne resumed her original career plan, landing a gig with a local quintet, where she met her future husband, pianist and arranger Tom Zink.

At this time, with her wealth of vocal knowledge, Anne began teaching voice to other aspiring singers. She was soon hired at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles; a college for the performing arts, and currently resides there on the faculty.

Presently, among gigs at the Long Beach Carpenter Center, Mckinney Theatre, and various clubs including Spaghettini’s Jazz Club, Anne is touring nationally and internationally. Anne along with her husband/pianist/arranger Tom Zink, headlined in Brazil at the Chapada Jazz Festival September 2013. “This was a life changing experience on many levels. The people are warm, kind and have such a love for music.”

Her 2009 release “Pretty World,” received a Grammy nomination in the category “Best Arrangement For Singer”. “Pretty World” includes the music of such jazz luminaries as Keith Jarrett, Sergio Mendez, and Don Grolnick. Carrying on in a contemporary jazz vein, Anne and husband Tom released “Go” in 2011 – an eclectic soundscape of contemporary and Brazilian jazz influences, which features originals, as well as a new take on the classic Wayne Shorter tune “Go”. Their 3rd album entitled “Brand New” features several original compositions including the title track Brand New, as well as “lyricized” versions of classic jazz and Brasilian jazz pieces and beautifully orchestrated classics like “Windmills of You Mind”, “Here There and Everywhere”, and “To Sir With Love”. Her fourth project, a tribute to one of her earliest influences "Astrud Gilberto" best know as the voice of the "Girl from Ipanema" has received international airplay and accolades from both jazz and pop publications. Soon to be released: another beautifully orchestrated project dedicated to the music of Burt Bacharach. But with a decidedly Bossa Nova spin arranged by her Grammy nominated husband Tom Zink.

In addition Anne has recorded two concept albums of lullabies and sacred music, including “Parents’ Choice Award Winner”, “Baby Mine” and “Be Still My Soul”.

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Contemporary jazz vocalist Anne Walsh released her latest album "Go," on September 27th with original songs and lyrics written by the artist

Source: Sabrina Gaffney
October 3, 2011

Is there time to explore and reflect on musical beauty in the frenetic pace of modern life? It's a question vocalist Anne Walsh asks on her latest CD “Go," which was released September 27th on AtoZink Music. “The title sums up my wish to move forward as an artist, and strike out into areas of the musical art-form that I haven't had the opportunity to explore in the past, “ said Walsh. Her and husband Tom Zink created this memorable ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz Vocalist Anne Walsh Performing at Acton Jazz Club on Friday, July 1

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts
July 1, 2011

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Recording

Anne Walsh's Brazilian Jazz-Pop Confections Turning Heads

Source: Great Scott P.R.oductions
June 23, 2009

A celestial voice with a refreshing outlook arrives on the jazz-adult pop scene with today's (June 16) release of Pretty World by Anne Walsh from A To Zink Music. Her classically-trained voice gracefully guides a dozen dreamy compositions brimful of hope, optimism and romance. Walsh's classy collection of elegant standards, sensual Brazilian jazz rhythms and dramatic ballads enchants with warmly produced live instrumentation meticulously performed by noted musicians. For her debut jazz outing--previous releases include concept albums of lullabies (the ...
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Urban Network: “With her latest release, Pretty World, she (Walsh) has padded pure and barefoot into a spellbinding universe of impeccably selected songs from the realms of Brazilian-kissed jazz. The result is the most impressive contemporary approach to balancing compositions deserving of wider recognition with standards as has been rendered in many a velvet moon. Most outstanding are three originally instrumental songs that were lyricized by Joe DeRenzo…Each song is impeccably arranged…This is simply the most refreshing contemporary jazz vocal album of the year.” Smooth Jazz Therapy: “…Anne Walsh has sublimely captured the concept of this planet of ours as a beautiful place to be. Her voice is as clear as a bell and as she joyously interprets a range of songs that span the decades; the entire collection is blessed with a luscious string section and picture perfect production from husband Thomas Zink…Walsh navigates this wonderful amalgam of buoyant Brazilian jazz grooves and poignant heart tugging ballads with total aplomb yet the fact that three memorable instrumentals have been given original lyrics, written specially for Walsh by Joe DeRenzo, simply adds to the creativity of this refreshing piece of work…Anne Walsh is on a fast-track to stardom.” Sounds of Timeless Jazz: “…the dynamic song stylist gives these tracks her best shot and wows listeners with versatile phrasing, poignant interpretive skills and multi-octave vocal prowess. Walsh is accompanied by some of the best musicians on the jazz scene today… The Portuguese version of ‘My Favorite Things’ is one of the best songs on this recording. Walsh sings with ease and emotion over beautiful orchestration and accomplished saxophone accompaniment by the great Gary Meek and brilliant bass work by Brian Bromberg. Overall, Pretty World surpasses the standards Walsh set for herself on her previous recording(s) and should delight her new and existing fans.” Jazz Weekly: “Her voice is as sweet as sugar cane, yet with enough huskiness to give some push to the lyrics. An impressive debut for a lady who’s got excellent taste and knows how to flavor a tune.” O’s Place Jazz Newsletter: “The music is refreshing and engaging…Walsh has a voice that is as comforting as a good pillow!”

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Primary Instrument

Vocals

Location

Los Angeles

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Anne has been teaching voice for over a decade, and is currently on the teaching faculty at AMDA, LA. She taught vocal conservatory at Orange County High School for the Performing Arts, where she periodically conducts master classes, and is on applied faculty at Mount St. Mary's College. Anne teaches the technique for all styles of singing and her students have appeared in diverse productions on stage and screen including Broadway productions, the Hollywood Bowl, American Idol, and Disney's Hannah Montana. $35 1/2hr | $65 hr