Heather Bambrick | |
|---|---|
 Bambrick in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | January 19, 1971 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, voice over artist, broadcaster, teacher |
| Website | www |
Heather Bambrick (born January 19, 1971) is a Canadian jazz singer, voice over artist, radio broadcaster and teacher based in Toronto, Ontario.
Heather Bambrick was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, to parents John and Joan Bambrick. She attended Holy Heart of Mary High School[1] and was very active in the music program there, singing with their award-winning Chamber Choir. She went on to study Political Science and English at Memorial University of Newfoundland, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.[2] During her university studies, Bambrick began performing part-time as a dinner theatre actress in various productions and was singing with a number of community jazz choirs.
In 1993, Bambrick moved to Ontario to study at the University of Toronto as a Voice major in the Jazz Studies Department.[1] She graduated in 1997, with a Bachelor of Music degree and began working as a freelance musician and teacher. She was a founding member of the Beehive Singers, and recorded with them on projects for Jaymz Bee and the Royal Jelly Orchestra, Carol Welsman, as well as on their self-titled album in 1990. The group disbanded soon after the release of their only recording, at which point Bambrick began a solo career, releasing several solo recordings, including It's About Time, Those Were The Days, (both of which were nominated for East Coast Music Awards) and You'll Never Know, the latter of which earned her a 2017 JUNO-Award nomination for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year,[3] and a 2018 East Coast Music Award nomination for Jazz Recording of the Year.[4] In June 2019, she released "Fine State", featuring more pop/rock-inspired arrangements, and making musical commentary about the world around her. In 2004, Bambrick was named "Jazz Vocalist of the Year" at the Canadian National Jazz Awards.
In between solo projects, Bambrick was a guest vocalist on several other recordings, including those for The Breithaupt Brothers, the Caliban Bassoon Quartet, Irving Dobbs, and the late Peter Appleyard. In 2012, she formed Broadsway with fellow Toronto-based artists Diane Leah and Julie Michels. Together, they released two studio recordings: Old Friends, and The Most Wonderful Time ... Maybe.
Beyond music, Bambrick is active as a voice actor on some commercial campaigns and television series, including Get Ed, Wild Kratts,[1] Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood,[1] The Ron James Show, Justin Time, Odd Job Jack, The Dating Guy, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That, Atomic Puppet, Hotel Transylvania: The Series, The Three Amigonauts, and several others.
In 2001, Bambrick began work at JAZZ.FM91, in Toronto, where she has hosted several shows including "Sing, Sing, Sing", "Sunday Afternoon Jazz", "Wake Up ... with Heather Bambrick", "Jazzology", "The Heather Bambrick Show", and "Weekend B&B". She is a three-time nominee and two-time winner of "Broadcaster of the Year" at the National Jazz Awards and was awarded "Best On-Air Host, Music, Major Market" at the inaugural Canadian Radio Awards. She currently hosts "Wake Up! With Heather Bambrick", "Jazzology" and "Weekend B&B".
