Turned on to jazz as a result of growing up listening to her parent's records, Lucia Newell's professional career as a jazz singer started over 20 years ago when she sang for a hotel band at the Hotel Commodore in Minneapolis, MN. Not limited to jazz, Newell has been on R&B and Pop records as a background singer. In the jazz arena, she has performed with numerous artists in the United States and abroad. Newell was with Osmar Milito at the Club 21 in Rio de Janeiro for over two years. She also worked at the El Senorial in Mexico City, with Luis Eça for six months and with the Rio Jazz Orchestra, a big band in Rio which fronted Billy Eckstine. Newell's Spanish and Portugese spelling skills have helped in getting work in these south of the border venues. Newell has also appeared at Midwest jazz festivals including ones in Utah, North Dakota and the Twin Cities area, as well as well as appearing on National Public Television. A talented composer, her songs have been on Gary Brunotte's CD, Yesterday's Dream and Ben Sidran's, Cool Paradise. Her album, Enter You, Enter Love, made with Joan Griffith, was released by Igmod Records in 1995. Many musicians have influenced development of Newell's style, especially Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day, Betty Carter, Shirley Horn and Brazilian artists Joao Gilberto and Elis Regina. Newell continues to work in Minneapolis-St. Paul jazz venues. She also does voice overs and gives private vocal lessons. ~ Dave Nathan, Rovi