WENDY TWYFORD


Wendy's love affair with the classic jazz standards and swinging hits of earlier decades started when she was a young girl growing up in the smoky coal town of Witbank South Africa. While the seemingly insignificant 'dorp' could be considered a very unlikely birthplace for a jazz musician, it was the rich musicality of her parents and grandparents which helped form her musical tastes. Wendy grew up listening to the jazz classics, Sting, Billy Joel, The Doobie Brothers and Super Tramp. Although a regular participator in stage productions and dancing shows, she focused her attention on music making and at age 15 landed a gig playing piano and singing at a hometown restaurant every weekend. Her formal study of music was put on ice whilst completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, but she continued to work with various bands exploring several genres of music.

Wendy's love for the great jazz and Blues vocalist pianists Shirley Horn, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughn, Dina Washington and Diana Krell influenced her to focus on developing a career in jazz music. She has learnt from and worked with high profile jazz musicians including Johnny Fourie, Denis Lalouette, Avzal Ismail, Neil Ettridge, Jonathan Crossley and Brendon Ross.

Wendy created, produced and directed the musical tribute to the Andrews Sisters of yesteryear, called Sisters Sentimental. This vibrant cabaret with its dynamic harmonies takes its audience on a sentimental journey back to the Second World War era with good old favourites like Lullaby of Broadway, Chattanooga Choo Choo and Boogie Woogie Bugle Box to name a few. The Sisters Sentimental Trio, of which Wendy is a part, together with a five piece band made of the country's finest session musicians, has enjoyed adoring audiences and country-wide publicity. Wendy is a respected and recognised jazz artist who makes her presence known with her unforgettable, deep and husky voice.