ABOUT
Way before other local Singapore jazz vocalists sang their way to the top of the heap in the 1990s, Yvette Atienza had already established herself as early as 1993 as a singular talent with astonishing versatility in the Singapore music scene. A Singapore Permanent Resident, Yvette has been a fixture in the Singapore Music Scene, especially one of the leaders who paved the way for Jazz Vocal Improvisation in Singapore. Singing professionally in Singapore for 30+ years now since 1989, Yvette has experienced performing and recording with numerous well-known international artistes and innumerable local Singapore bands singing everything from pop, rock, even Country music! However, she has finally found where her heart is – Jazz and Latin Jazz music.
A pioneer in Singapore for Vocal Jazz and Latin Jazz since the early 90s, Yvette was born in Manila but migrated to Singapore in 1989, and became a very influential factor and role-model in the development of the Singapore Vocal Jazz scene, especially in the field of vocal improvisation. Born to a Spanish Father and Filipino mother, her half-Spanish, half-Filipino genes strongly drive her penchant for rhythmic vocal improvisations. Her Latino genes adds spice and vibrancy to her stylings of the standards of the Great American Songbook and the whole Latin jazz standard anthology.
Trained in Singing with the Trebel Music School in Manila, and with a Performers Diploma in Singing from the Trinity Guildhall College London, Yvette started her career in pop and R&B bands, most notable of which is the famous and popular Powerplay band in the Phiilippines, who were the front act and backing band to Filipino Superstar Gary Valenciano.
Yvette is a triple threat - also trained in ballet with the Cultural Centre of the Philippines Ballet School and jazz with the famous Aldequer Sisters and Julie Borromeo Dance Arts Studio. With a natural dramatic flair, Yvette also gained Musical Theatre experience in Manila productions of the musicals "Joseph and the Technicoloured Dreamcoat" and "Fiddler on the Roof" and in leading roles in local original Singapore musicals “A Quiet Moment” , produced by Mark Grigoroff productions and ‘My Love is Blind”, produced by Musical Theatre Liimited.
Speaking English, Spanish and Filipino fluently, Yvette is able to sing in 7 languages – English, Spanish, Filipino, Portuguese, Bahasa Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and Italian. She does not memorise singing in Spanish by rote! Yvette can also play piano and accompany herself, because she also had classical piano training from the time she was 3 years old with her classical concert pianist mother, which gives her the facility and confidence to navigate the intricacies of Jazz Harmony.
In the 90s, she obtained numerous 1-2 year residencies in the hotel lounge circuit, the Oriental Captain’s Lounge, Hyatt’s Mezzanine Lounge and the Ritz Carlton Chihuly Lounge,Orchard Hotel, The Tanglin Club, to name a few, performing with local stalwarts drummer Louis Soliano, pianist Don Gomes and bassist Billy Martinez.
Prior to settling down in Singapore, she toured Southeast Asia - Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Hongkong - performing with local band Eurasia ( led by well-known Singapore drummer Jimmy Lee) and as leader of her own jazz quintet, “Yvette and the Variasians”.
Presently, aside from still performing for various jazz events, corporate functions and private parties, Yvette is also committed to passing on her skills and legacy by teaching Singing and doing Vocal Coaching.
Shes teaches Singing Techniques in her own studio. in international schools and local music schools for individual and group singing classes for students of various ages. She prepares her students for the various levels of the Trinity, ABRSM and LCM grade Singing syllabus and for auditions for local music schools and abroad, e.g. SOTA, La Salle and Berklee School of Music In Boston USA .
One of the most experienced and committed Jazz Singers in Singapore, performing jazz now for 30 years, Yvette continues to perform and find her place in the world of jazz, and continues to excite and inspire in the process.