Music
Press
Songstress Annette St. John rocked the passageway with a rousing version of "Take The A Train," her tones and pacing riding gently and then uproariously between the chordal cushion provided by pianist Bernie Thompson and guitarist. - September 15, 2004
Annette's performance skills thoughout her contract have always been of a gig and professional standard. She has always displayed a first class approach to overall satisfaction of the audience within her venue The Bayou Cafe. She has an excellent voice that was on many occasions commented on by passengers and was reflected in the comments and the You Made A Difference at the end of each cruise. - April 21, 2004
St. John joined Della-Griffin, one of the original Delltones as a member of Della's new group, the Delltone Enchanters... Della-Griffin and St. John. The group has played in NEw Jersey and at the Symphony Space (in New York City) - Deardra Shuler
Discography
"Now is the Time" - 1999
"Inside Live at Smoke" - 2003
"I Remember Bernie" - 2004
Photos
Bio
Born and raised in Harlem, a neighborhood of many show business notables, Annette grew up watching her mother and aunt tap dance and her uncle play the drums. Early on she was influenced by such artists as Sarah Vaughn and Dakota Station.
Annette followed er musical interests, but only after marrying and raising a family. In the mid-1980's, Annette took the leap and began working at a friend's club as a waitress and bartender. Annette says: "If you know the New York entertainment circuits, you know that waiting tables and pouring drinks can lead to meeting people, developing a network and a chance be heard." For Annette, waiting tables and pouring drinks led to her first showcase at Sweetwater's in Manhattan in 1988.
She has worked with many of the legends, including Della Griffin, Lonie Youngblood, Irene Reed, Fred Stanton, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Seleno Clark, Nate Lucas, and the late greats, Etta Jones, Doc Pittman, and Jimmy Butts.
In addition to her CD, "Now is The Time", studio work includes background vocals with Al B. Sure, Andrei Carrier, Beverly Crosby, Napoloan RevelBey's "New Mo Swing", Kyosuke Himuro on his Japan-released #1 CD, "Himuro Memories of Blue". Club dates include, background vocals at Birdland with George Benson and the Village Vanguard with Lou Donaldson.
During 2003, Ms. St. John appeared in New York's Sugar Bar and Roth's Westside Steakhouse where she frequently appears, accompanied by the well-known guitarisst, Satoshi Innue. She also performed with Larry Johnson Blues Band and legendary blues singer, Sleepy LaBeefe, at the 2003 Summer Jazz Series at Lincoln Center.
In 2003, Ms. St. John also recorded her first live CD, entitled "In side" Live at Smoke. With her "Network II" quartet featuring Eric Alexander - Sax, Mike La Donne - Organ, Peter Bernstein - Guitar, and Joe Farnsworth - Drums; she also sailed the Caribbean aboard the Coral Princess gaining exposire to a new, wider audience.
Her styles of music are jazz, blues, standards, and gospel, ranging from the 1930s to the present. Annette says, "It's not work if you love what you do."
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