Zeena Quinn is known for her straightforward sound, emotional content of phrasing, sense of rhythm and dynamics, as well as, her innovative arrangements of jazz standards. She pays homage and adds intellectual coolness, as well as, edginess with the vocal influences of Anita O’Day, Sarah Vaughn, Jeanne Lee, Annie Ross, Ruth Brown, Earnestine Anderson, Carmen McRae, and, Betty Carter.
Growing up in a family of jazz musicians and the roots of Detroit City, Zeena brings her own kind of an edgy sound to swing and straight-ahead jazz.
Growing up singing and dancing, she later focused on only singing lessons with Faith Winthrop, and Judy Davis, Linda Noble Brown (opera), Sandy Geller, and, Dave Stroud, (of Seth Riggs). As a vocalist, her charisma, vocal range, coloring of words, and textural meaning in any of her performances derives from all of her many artistic skills.
Zeena is an elegant singer whose voice and music choices are also inspired by the golden age of jazz's simple, yet, raw compositions/lyrics of Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, and Jon Hendricks.
Ms. Quinn has shared the stage with Mel Martin All Star Big Band, Cab Calloway Orchestra (Calloway Brooks), Noel Jewkes, Marcos Silva, and opened with Chalo Eduardo Brazilian Band (Sergio Mendes) for New Orleans Jazz Festival’s John Lee Hooker.
The magic of jazz. She is a vocalist that fits with the texture & passion of jazz. Growing up in a family of jazz musicians and the roots of
Detroit City, she brings a straight-forward sound to swing and straight-ahead jazz.