Brettina

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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 53)
Nassau, Bahamas
GenresJazz, smooth jazz
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, actress, print model
Instrument(s)Vocals
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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Discography[edit]

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[edit]

  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.

External links[edit]