Amanda Brecker Pays Homage to Carole King and James Taylor on New CD BLOSSOM, Set for Release Today

Contributing musicians on 'Blossom' include Russ Kunkel (drums) and Lee Sklar (bass,) two renowned performers who were part of the original "Tapestry" recording sessions. 'Blossom' was recorded and mixed by Darrel Thorpe (Charlotte Gainsbourg, Radiohead, etc.) in Los Angeles, and mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, NYC.

Amanda Brecker is a singer-songwriter from New York City. In 2008, she signed her first record deal with "Birds Records" in Japan and recorded and released her first album, "Here I Am." Shortly after, her composition "Novo Lugar" became the theme song on the Japanese Television Series, "Giants of Beauty." The album "Here I Am" received the "Gold Disc Award" by Swing Journal, Japan, and was the #1 Best selling Jazz Vocal CD in Japan in the Summer of 2008. Amanda also received the "Best New Talent Award 2008″ by Swing Journal, "New Star International Prize" by ADLIB Awards 2008 and "2008 New Star Award" by Swing Journal (all in Japan).

Amanda's second album, "Brazilian Passion," was released in Japan in 2009. This album is a blend of Brazilian and American music, which represents Amanda's background. Most of the songs on the album are influenced by Brazilian rhythms and features four of Amanda's original compositions. Amongst covers, the album includes special guest, Brazilian legend Ivan Lins, who sings on two of the tracks with Amanda. The CD "Brazilian Passion" received the Gold Disc Award by Swing Journal, Japan 2009.

In November 2010, Amanda signed with Universal Music Japan. She then recorded her third album, "Blossom", which was produced by the Grammy Award winning songwriter/producer Jesse Harris. "Blossom" is a tribute album to James Taylor and Carole King. It was released in Japan in May of 2011 in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Carole King's "Tapestry."

Amanda's talent was notable at a very young age. She is the daughter of Brazilian pianist/singer Eliane Elias and the trumpeter Randy Brecker, two very prominent artists on the Jazz scene. When she was 8 years old, Amanda sang on Eliane Elias' album "Fantasia," interpreting Milton Nascimento's "Ponta de Areia", a performance that brought the composer to tears. Following the recording, Amanda performed live with Milton Nascimento in Paris when she was 9 years old. Prior to starting her solo career, she sang on several of Eliane Elias' albums and performed live with her mother on various occasions.

Amanda began writing songs on the piano when she was fifteen years old. She picked up the guitar two years ago, which opened up a whole new perspective for her as a songwriter. She is currently working on new material for a next album.

Visit Amanda's website at www.amandabrecker.com, or find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/amandabreckermusic.

Photo Credit: Juan Patino