Tia Brazda

Tia Brazda is a Canadian singer and songwriter, known for her bold style, distinctive voice and unique take on jazz music that incorporates elements of swing, blues, rockabilly, soul, electro and pop. She is a notable figure in the electro-swing movement, and has performed at prominent international jazz festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal.
==Career==
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Brazda did her first on-stage performance in church at age 5. A music teacher in New Westminster got Brazda interested in the classic jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Brazda performed in cover bands before writing her own material and honing her sound in the clubs of Toronto. During the recording of her debut EP Cabin Fever, she met Holly Cole’s bassist, Marc Rogers, who set her up for recording sessions with some of Toronto’s top jazz musicians. The EP debuted in 2012 at #1 on the iTunes jazz chart in Canada, and led to Brazda touring Europe with club dates in Paris and Amsterdam, as well as performances at the Maui Waui Festival and Bestival in the UK.
In 2015 Brazda released her debut full-length album, 'Bandshell' which also debuted at #1 on the iTunes jazz chart in Canada. The lead single "Shine" was described "as good as it gets" in the swing jazz genre, and received airplay in Canada, the U.S. and on Rai Radio 1 in Italy, where she eventually played several live dates. The album was rated the #5 best Canadian jazz release of 2015 by CJRT-FM and sparked years of touring across North America and Europe and led to many notable festival performances.
In 2016 Brazda headlined the main stage at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, played two highly reviewed shows at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, as well as the Iboga Summer Festival in Spain. She also released Bandshell Remixed, an album of remixes of songs off her Bandshell album, by prominent DJs from around the world including Wolfgang Löhr and Sound Nomaden.
In 2017, Brazda performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and San Jose Jazz Festival where she was described as "Best of the Fest" by local news.
In 2018, Brazda released 'Daydream', which features Juno Award-nominated musicians including Larnell Lewis of Snarky Puppy on drums, Shirantha Beddage on saxophone, William Sperandei on trumpet, Adrean Farrugia on piano, William Carn on trombone and Marc Rogers on bass. The album explores new styles for Brazda such as bossa nova, soul and tango. It also includes a co-write and piano performance by Mark Pelli Pellizzer of the band MAGIC!.
==Style==
Brazda’s music has been described as a "walking musical catalog of 20th century jazz styles", a "hip pastiche", and "a difference in an already established genre." Brazda’s voice has been described as "sultry" and "kittenish", and has been compared to Billie Holiday and Amy Winehouse, having performed early on at a benefit in the late singer’s honour. Brazda is known for writing her own original material, as well as using real instruments instead of samples.
==Influences==
Brazda's influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and gospel hymns. Aside from jazz, Brazda grew up listening to swing revival, neo-soul, trip-hop and grunge. Her album 'Bandshell' has been likened to the music of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Black Cat Zoot, Tape Five, Royal Crown Revue and Cherry Poppin%27 Daddies|Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. On tour, Brazda's band has included saxophonists from both Royal Crown Revue and Cherry Poppin%27 Daddies|Cherry Poppin’ Daddies.
==Other==
Brazda’s father is Bystrik Brazda, who was part of the 70's acid-folk duo The Brazda Brothers, formed with her uncle and cited by psychadelic rock group MGMT in Rolling Stone magazine as one of their Top 10 influences. Brazda’s cousin is New York-based visual artist Bozidar Brazda. Brazda's grandfather is writer Andrej Brázda-Jankovský. 
==Awards and acclaim==
Brazda’s three releases, EP Cabin Fever (2012) and albums Bandshell (2015) and Daydream (2018) all debuted at #1 on the iTunes Jazz Chart in Canada. Bandshell reached #24 on the CMJ national radio chart in the US. Her song "Hard Luck (DJ Margiotta Remix)" from the album Bandshell Remixed was a great hit. In 2016 Brazda was awarded the Stingray Rising Star Music Award. Brazda sang backing vocals on Michael Kaeshammer’s 2009 album Lovelight, which was nominated for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year at the 2010 Juno Awards_of 2010, and Kaeshammerlive! which won the award for Best Music DVD at the 2013 Juno Awards of 2013, in which Brazda also appeared.
==Notable performances==
* Montreux Jazz Festival
* Festival International de Jazz de Montreal
* San Jose Jazz Summer Fest
* Toronto Jazz Festival
* Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival
* Iboga Summer Festival
* Vancouver International Jazz Festival
* Lancaster Music Festival
* Jasper Folk Festival
* CBC Radio Sounds of the Season
* TD Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival
* TD Niagara Jazz Festival
* Bestival
* Maui Waui Festival
==Discography==
===Albums===
* Cabin Fever (Rebeluck, 2012)
* Bandshell (Flatcar, 2015)
* Bandshell Remixed (Flatcar, 2016)
* Daydream (Flatcar, 2018)
===Singles===
* Cabin Fever (Deluxe Version) (Pashmount Music, 2013)
* Wild Jack (Saampler Remix) (Pashmount Music, 2013)
==External links==
*Official site 
== References ==
Category:Female jazz singers
Category:Canadian singers
Category:Canadian jazz singers
Category:Musicians from Vancouver
Category:Canadian female singers
Category:21st-century Canadian singers