Contemporary jazz artist Amanda Bridgette’s enthusiasm for music has been the foundation for developing a natural, flavorful performance style that is an effortless blend of soulful and spicy vocals. That enthusiasm is apparent when Bridgette talks about her work. According to Bridgette, “There are some things in life that are innately good. For me, music is one of those things.”

Whether she is performing jazz standards or one of her recently released original tunes, Bridgette’s joy of music leaves audiences of all types captivated, and her work is highly acclaimed by experts in the music industry. Grammy-nominated record producer Scott Rouse has praised Bridgette’s “powerful tone and obvious in-depth understanding of the roots of jazz and swing,” while Ron Sowell, music director for Mountain Stage Radio Show on NPR predicts that “the sky is the limit for this young and talented artist” who “is blessed with a killer voice that sounds authentic whether she is singing jazz, soul, pop, folk, blues or country.”

Influenced by her Appalachian upbringing that was surrounded with the sounds of bluegrass and the tight harmonies of southern gospel, Bridgette learned to love music at an early age. “Where I grew up, music was used as a means of communicating – communicating emotion.  Many of the musicians I grew up around couldn’t even read music, but they could make you feel a melody.  That is how I first understood music – as a language.  The education came later.”

Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree in music, she embarked upon the beginning of her musical journey, first as a vocalist for well-known theme parks such as Busch Gardens and Hersheypark and then by branching out into the world of musical theater, performing lead roles in theaters throughout the U.S.  Adding to her professional career, Bridgette worked as a vocalist for Silversea, Norwegian and Orient cruise lines, performed a long-running cabaret show in Cozumel, Mexico, and was a lounge vocalist for national resort chains including Hilton and Marcus resorts.  She has had the opportunity to serve as a National Anthem vocalist for various Southeastern Conference athletic events, and has recently enjoyed success as a guest artist in concert series across the country.