Chris Bennett

Chris Bennett is best categorized as a classic American female jazz vocalist. Bennett is originally from Illinois, where she grew up on a musical diet of Big Band melodies and Broadway show tunes. At times a stylist and, more often, the singer of self-composed music and lyrics, she is always a genuine artist in performance. A lifetime of entertaining combined with a disciplined regimen of daily practice and consistent training is evident in masterful live performances and perfect studio recordings. By her mid-twenties, Bennett was already a well traveled woman and, certainly, a vocalist of the world. By the 1980’s, Chris Bennett had established herself as a successful singer, songwriter and producer, occasionally singing back-up for Rita Coolidge and Johnny Mathis. Her songs were being recorded by the likes of Tina Turner and The Manhattan Transfer. She co-wrote and co-produced for The Three Degrees, the final Munich Machine album “Body Shine” and the Suzi Lane album “Ooh La La.” She also played a key role in producing for and writing with up-and-coming Grammy-award winning Blues artist Keb Mo. In the 1990’s, Bennett reflected on her career as an accomplished singer, noteworthy producer and popular songwriter. Having performed for others behind the scenes primarily throughout the 1980’s, she made a promise to return to the recording studio and the concert stage, this time, for herself. It would also be a return to her first musical love: jazz. Bennett specialized in creating a musical experience of self composed pieces, some jazz classics and a contemporary cover or two. The success of her debut jazz CD led to a series of future releases that capitalized on this combination. Jazz magazines critically praised her, noting “after a successful career as a background performer, it is a pleasure to welcome Chris Bennett to center stage.” From disco diva to jazz chanteuse, the musical journey of Chris Bennett has been the evolution of an artist come full circle. An accomplished vocalist, songwriter, composer and producer, she recently added Broadway musical composer to her repertoire.