Brettina
Bahamian singer-songwriter, model, and actress (born 1970)
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Brettina Lorena Robinson (born December 8, 1970, in Nassau, Bahamas) is a Bahamian singer-songwriter, model, and actress, based in Los Angeles.
December 8, 1970
Brettina | |
|---|---|
Brettina at Capitol Records Studio A | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Brettina Lorena Robinson December 8, 1970 |
| Genres | Jazz, smooth jazz |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, actress, print model |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Label | Floating Bridge Media (independent) |
| Website | https://brettina.com |
Early life
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
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
- Miss C.I. Gibson, pageant winner.
- The Hal Jackson Miss Talented Teen Bahamas, pageant winner.[5]
Discography
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)"