– bio

A lifelong learner and lover of music, Jeannine Bonstelle has come into her own as a unique jazz stylist in the Bay Area. Jeannine was born into an artistic, theatrical family and spent her childhood surrounded by creativity, song and nature. Those elemental forces have remained with her as guiding inspirations. Drawn to music at a young age, she developed a passion for jazz and the avant garde. Her influences are gathered from a lifetime of listening to such sounds as Joni Mitchell, Brazil66, Chaka Khan, Flora Purim, Karin Krog, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, Art Ensemble of Chicago, L`Orchestra Di Piazza Vittorio, Johnny Hartman, Kate McGarry and others. Her repertoire includes classics from the American songbook, jazz and Brazilian standards.

Experience

Since the 1980s, Jeannine has studied and performed with a number of renowned artists and ensembles. These include:

• De Ploy Joy, a six woman vocal jazz ensemble led by Molly Holm, founding member vocalist / assistant of Bobby McFerrin's a cappella group Voicestra.


• The Jazzschool, Berkeley, CA where she studied with such notables as Mimi Fox, Kitty Margolis and Marcos Silva.


• Jazz Camp West in Northern California


• Janis Borla's Vocal Jazz Camp outside of Chicago


• Jesse Foster's Vocal Workshop in San Francisco


• Jazz Improv with Ray Brown, Cabrillo College, California

She has studied vocal technique with Colleen Donovan for over ten years. Jeannine credits Colleen as a mentor and guide throughout her musical journey. In addition, she has worked under Kate McGarry.