Biography

Brenda Lee is an Australian Eurasian of Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, Malay and Irish descent. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Brenda grew up in historical Malacca before relocating to Perth, Australia in her early teens. Her diverse heritage of Eastern and Western influence adds colour and depth to this performing artist’s radiance.

Music was instilled by her late singer-guitarist father, Basil Lee. Brenda played piano, sang and danced at social and community events from the time she was four and continued as a professional dancer and choreographer with the Elevation Dance Troupe, performing at many community, fashion and entertainment events in Perth, including Government House and the Hilton Hotel.

Her musical career began, playing keyboards and vocals in various top forty, pop and funk bands. Trained as a jazz vocalist at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Brenda has travelled and performed in Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, New York and Canada with a diverse range of established jazz artists around the globe.

Performing for private, corporate and festival events, Brenda has also held long term residencies in Perth’s well established jazz and entertainment venues – Benny’s in Fremantle and The Universal Bar in Northbridge with regular jazz performances at the Burswood Intercontinental Hotel Resort and Casino (VIP and Atrium Cocktail Lounges), The Rose and Crown, Sittella Winery and The King’s Ambassador Hotel. In March 2010, Brenda launced her classic jazz standards album at The Ellington Jazz Club in Perth.

Brenda Lee’s vocal character is deep with sultry tones, exuding an unquestionable trueness of essence in jazz improvisation. Her major musical influences include Shirley Horne, Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Erykah Badu, Me’shell Ndegeocello and Tania Maria.

Singing from her heart, this artist exudes a quiet sophistication which transforms any space wherein she performs.