Brenda Edwards
From unknown to stage and TV star as a famous jazz singer in less than a year, Brenda Edwards can put the meteoric rise that brings her to Ronnie Scott’s down to three ingredients – luck, hard work and raw talent. The soul diva with one of the biggest voices in the business discovered her love of performing as a child singing in a church choir in Luton. But it wasn’t until her early 30s – after two decades of singing at friends’ weddings and parties – that she got her big break during a visit to Belfast with her husband when the couple spotted an ad for X Factor contestants at their hotel.
Joining the queue the following morning proved to be the start of a journey that took Edwards to the semi-finals of the hugely popular TV talent show and earned her current status as a famous jazz singer. There she was feted by the celebrity judges, including Sharon Osborne, who described her as a performer with an ‘unstoppable voice’. Success has meant the former accounts manager can live her dream – earning a living from music. Edwards thrilled audiences during a 25-date X Factor tour and is currently playing the challenging role of Matron ‘Mama’ Morton in the West End production of Chicago: The Musical.
BRENDA EDWARDS - BIOGRAPHY
The last year has been a phenomenal time for Brenda since her springboard to the public profile as a result of being the final woman in last years X Factor. Brenda’s journey on the show was unlike any other. She wowed the judges crowd and audience at home week after week and in turn bought a place in the hearts of the public.
Brenda was born in Luton and first realised her love of music by singing in the Sunday school junior choir of her local Pentecostal church. She later became choir mistress and also sang for the Pentecostal collective Church of God in Christ (COGIC) mass choir.
From the age of 18 Brenda started to spread her wings, singing at private parties and just about anywhere she could, hoping one day to be spotted. For years Brenda attended many different auditions for groups and soloists and continued to work tirelessly sending out her demos to music contacts and agencies in search of a possible break.
For Brenda her lucky break came when holidaying in Belfast for the weekend with her husband, coincidently the hotel where they were staying was hosting the X Factor auditions. With very little preparation Brenda joined the queue and the rest is history.
Brenda was snapped up to play the role of Mama Morten in Chicago and the prestigious position of closing the show at the Adelphi Theatre and reopening it at the Cambridge Theatre. She has received great acclaim for her portrayal of the prison warden and continues to wow the crowds to great appreciation.
The nations interest in Brenda does not seem to be fading and there’s a constant demand for corporate performances, live personal appearances and various television & press interviews. Brenda comes across very naturally on TV and she is currently the GMTV correspondent for X Factor 2006 reporting live each week.
Despite huge demand Brenda has not yet released an album but is working a lot in the studio writing and recording material, she is also in talks with various producers. As well as this Brenda is planning an exclusive “one night only” concert before the end of the year.
Brenda is delighted at the opportunities that have arisen in the last year and she is excited about what the future holds.
Brenda is married to Patrick and has two children, Jamal and Tanisha.