MICHELE OSTEN

THE NOT JUST JAZZ VOCALIST & BAND LEADER

 

Born in Seattle USA, Michele now resides in England, raised listening to all of the great crooners of the 50’s and 60’s as well as Jazz, Soul, Blues and R&B. 

 

Michele began singing as a child but let her music slip to the back-burner at 18 when life took her in other directions. Years ago now, Michele discovered a vocal performance course and reignited her love for music. During this time she returned to her Jazz roots and this remains her favoured genre and where her passion lies.

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Michele has been privileged to appear at the Verdi Italian Kitchen at The Royal Albert Hall  and also secured a slot at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Michele debuted with The NOT Just Jazz Band at The OSO Arts Center and later appeared at the Bulls Head in Barnes and The Rose Theatre in KIngston for a "Musical Smorgasbord"

 

She was also invited to the first ever FemmeFest in the heart of the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. Where she performed alongside her guitar playing good pal Clive Knapp.

 

Not even the pandemic could stop her as she could be heard and seen performing as her avatar MelodiousMolly in the 3D virtual world Second Life.

Michele also contributed to the Langtoun Jazz Festival during lock down with a virtual performance including a selection all of her favorite tunes.

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​​Michele has been collaborating  with a wonderfully talented songwriter from Los Angeles , Denise Dimin for some years now and performed and released worldwide two of her tunes titled Ease Away Slowly (September 2021) and Easier and Easier (September 2022). She also added another original tune by London based songwriter Clive Knapp ... entitled Lazy Daze.

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​Michele spent 5 years in France where she performed semi-professionally with various French musicians all over the Burgundy Region. At that time, she was also the principal singer with The Big Band at the Conservatoire in Nevers.

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New Year's Eve has seen her collaborate with the ChiJazz Quintet on board a river cruiser,  where she performed for diners and party goers while sailing along the Thames River,  ending up at the London Eye for the spectacular fireworks display.

 

​Michele has also performed at venues such as , Pizza Express The Phesantry - Chelsea, The Groucho Club - London, The Half Moon - Putney, The Ram Jam - Kingston, Bar Thirteen - Guildford, The Telegraph - Putney Heath, Grey Horse - Kingston, RYND KItchen & Bar Reading,  H G Wells Worcester Park, The Brave New World - Surbiton, The Old Moot House Kingston, 46 Battersea Rise and aboard The Battersea Barge…. pre-Covid 19 participated the Environmental Festival in Carshalton, The Surrey Steampunk Convivial - New Malden and at numerous other charitable events including the Greenwhich Screwball held at Up the Creek Comedy Club in aid of Age Concern.

 

​Michele performs with a number of talented Jazz musicians David Roberts, Steve Ashworth, Stephen Davies all on Keyboard/Piano, Richard Sandler and Marianne Windham Double Base and Maureen Hardman on Sax  just to name a few; as well as with drummers Dan Allsopp and Jeb Holsworth. Everyone of them have an extensive list of performances to their credit.



The future for Michele includes no limits : )

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