Vocalist and composer Amanda Crumley relishes in keeping her spectrum wide so as to keep the inspirational door ajar and let in all of the good stuff. With an intuitive command of subtle intricacies of the samba and bossa nova, she is equally adept when creating swinging interpretations of jazz standards. “Her phrases resonate with such a fresh, inventive spirit,” says Jim Trompeter, jazz pianist and composer.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Amanda grew up singing in school choirs, writing songs on piano from a young age, (forming a short-lived but prolific rock band in the 3rd grade), and doing anything musical she could get ears on. She was formally introduced to jazz when she first attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music education. While studying classical voice, she performed in the school’s top vocal jazz ensembles and was exposed to several master artists who came through town. Around the same time, she became captivated by Brazilian music, and has continued to cultivate her understanding of the music, the language, and immerse herself in the gorgeous sounds of the culture as much as possible. Before she finished college it became clear where her heart was and this beautiful, spontaneous element of improvisation that had always been part of her made her desire to pursue jazz a natural one.

Amanda moved to Chicago in 2003 upon receiving a scholarship to study jazz voice with Patricia Barber at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University from where she now holds her Master’s degree. New to the Chicago jazz scene, she feels privileged to make music with some of the greatest musicians in the city. Having cultivated a unique repertoire of Brazilian music, jazz standards and original arrangements, Amanda can be seen at many fine venues in the Chicago area. She performs every first Friday of the month at Katerina’s in Chicago. Other venues Amanda has performed at include Pete Miller’s Steakhouse, Gigi’s Jazz and Supper Club, the Smoke Daddy, Uncommon Ground, Wise Fool’s Pub, the Heartland, and the Drake Hotel.

As a composer, Amanda draws from a myriad of musical influences including jazz, world music, folk, R&B, country/ bluegrass and classical music. She is currently working on material for her first CD featuring her original music which is being greatly inspired by sounds of bluegrass and country music.

Additionally, Amanda performs with the acclaimed vocal band, “Stripped,” a Chicago-based a cappella group which performs original compositions and arrangements covering a large spectrum of styles, with an emphasis on improvisation. Never one to abandon her choral roots, she stays active as a member of various choral ensembles including the award-winning Grant Park Chorus. She has also sung with the Chicago Symphony and New Mexico Symphony Choruses. Amanda feels exceptionally fortunate to have the opportunity to be a musician in this life. She thanks the legions of loving, talented, encouraging, inspiring, engaging, challenging individuals who have given so much to her along this path.