Brettina

Brettina
Brettina at Capitol Records Studio A
Brettina at Capitol Records Studio A
Background information
Birth nameBrettina Lorena Robinson
Born (1970-12-08) December 8, 1970 (age 54)
Nassau, Bahamas
GenresJazz, smooth jazz
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, actress, print model
InstrumentVocals
Years active2010–present
LabelsFloating Bridge Media (independent)
Websitehttps://brettina.com

Brettina Lorena Robinson (born December 8, 1970, in Nassau, Bahamas) is a Bahamian singer-songwriter, model, and actress, based in Los Angeles.

Early life

Brettina began singing at age four, under the influence of her mother, as well as her uncles, Theo and Kirk Coakley of the popular 1970 Funk/Soul group T-Connection.

While attending secondary school in the Bahamas, she won the eponymous "Miss C.I. Gibson", making her eligible for "Miss Bahamas Talented Teen", which[1] she subsequently won,[2] earning her a scholarship to attend the University of Washington.[1][2]

Musical style and career

Brettina sings jazz, and describes her style as "organic"[2][3] and cites as her main influences Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horn, Shirley Bassey,Sade, Adele, Diana Krall, Brenda Russell, Corinne Bailey Rae, Tiwa Savage and LIRA.[2][3][4][5]

She draws from personal experience in her songwriting. For example, she cites her poor childhood as the inspiration for her song "Poor Old Times",[1] and childhood memories as the inspiration for her cover of Island in the Sun".[6]

As a singer, she has performed mainly in the Seattle and Los Angeles areas.[7][8] She has performed at:

  • Supermodel of the Bahamas show, with Bahamian R&B singer Julien;[9]
  • Kirkland Performance Center "New Face of Jazz" concert in November 2010;[7]
  • "Up Close & Unplugged" concert on January 26, 2011.[5][10]

In addition to her jazz career, she has worked as a print model and an actress in national advertisements.

Pageant wins

  • Miss C.I. Gibson, pageant winner.
  • The Hal Jackson Miss Talented Teen Bahamas, pageant winner.[5]

Discography

Studio albums: Brettina - Self titled debut album (2010), New Day - EP released in 2021.

  • Brettina (2010) [11]
    • "Paradise"
    • "Bahamian Girl"
    • "The Bug"
    • "Serafina"
    • "Poor Old Times"
    • "Chai"
    • "My Time to Shine"
    • "Pardon the Storm"
    • "Island in the Sun"
    • "One"
    • "Serafina" (bonus track with strings)
  • Bop Baiyé - Single released in 2019.
  • New Day - EP released in 2021.
    • "New Day"
    • "Low"
    • "Simple Pleasures"
    • "Bop Baiyé"
  • Simple Pleasures Remixes - Released in 2022.
    • "Simple Pleasures (Incognito Radio Edit)"
    • "Simple Pleasures (Incognito Mix)"
    • "Simple Pleasures (IYakul Remix)"
    • "Simple Pleasures (Ski Oakenfull Dub)"

References

  1. ^ a b c Chakara Bennett (February 5, 2010). "Fighting for her dream". The Nassau Guardian Online. The Nassau Guardian. Archived from the original on March 28, 2010. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "Biography". Brettina.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Interview with Bahamian Jazz Artist, Brettina Robinson". The Bahamas Weekly. April 30, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  4. ^ "Special Guests Ms Charmaine, Pastor Chandra Williams, & Brettina (time 52:50)". Alysha Live. February 13, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c "Brettina FAN PAGE". Facebook. January 12, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  6. ^ "Beautiful Bahamian Girl". Bahamians Online. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Brettina: the New Face of Jazz". November 14, 2010. Archived from the original on November 11, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  8. ^ Tara Hunnewell (April 1, 2010). "Brettina Music, Brettina CD Release Party, RealTVfilms". RealTVfilms. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  9. ^ "Brettina and Julien to perform at Supermodel of the Bahamas". The Bahamas Weekly. April 24, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  10. ^ "Brettina. Up Close & Unplugged". Brettina FAN PAGE. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  11. ^ Nadal, James (November 18, 2010). "Brettina". All About Jazz.