Pianist, vocalist, composer and educator Brenda Earle Stokes has released “Motherhood,” a collection of 10 original compositions that share the journey of motherhood with songs that explore identity, fear, expectations, body image, friendship and growth.
This is Stokes’ sixth album as a leader and follows “Solo Sessions” (2019), “Right About Now” (2014), “Songs for a New Day” (2009) and “Happening” (2006).
Stokes lives and works in New York City and brought to this project some of the A-List players the city has to offer, including bassist Evan Gregor, drummer Ross Peterson and special guest, renowned trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. Celebrated vocalists Melissa Stylianou and Grammy-winning Nicole Zuraitis provide backing vocals.
A native of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, Stokes started studying classical piano at the age of 4. She became interested in jazz while in high school after hearing Oscar Peterson for the first time. She went on to receive the Oscar Peterson scholarship to study jazz piano at York University in Toronto and benefitted from the mentorship of her idol.