Branice McKenzie's career includes everything from jazz to theatre to prolific songwriting. Some of her credits include critically acclaimed performances at the Newport Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival and The Umbria Jazz Festival. On the theatrical stage she has created roles in Shades of Harlem, Sing Sister Sing and Jazz Alley. As a composer and musical director, she has penned music for Shelter, Voices: A Children's Song, Shades of Harlem and Blackbirds of Courage. Most recently she is the recipient of the Meet the Composer grant. She made her directorial and writing debut with the world premier of Celebrate Kwanzaa at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to which she is also a contributing composer.
Her incredible four octave voice and magnificent song stylings have been hailed throughout the world. She has worked with such luminaries as Harry Belafonte (1984-1993), Gregory Hines (1987 – 2003), Roberta Flack, Hugh Masekela, Peggy Lee, Dianne Reeves, Miriam Makeba, BeBe Winans and Carly Simon to name a few, performing all over the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Ms. McKenzie most recently was invited to Moscow, Russia to perform at their premier jazz club, Le Club, and just completed a Royal Command Performance in Morocco. In addition, she has just completed a critically acclaimed performance as an original cast member of I Can’t Stop Loving You – the Music of Ray Charles.
She can be heard on numerous jingles and recordings including Hugh Masekela's Uptownship singing the heralded single, If You Don't Know Me By Now, Grammy nominated Loves Drum Passion by Olatunji and the just released single Maybe Next Year with jazz artist extraordinaire Onaje Allan Gumbs on his latest CD, Remember Their Innocence. Ms. McKenzie has just released her first children’s CD, I Am Me: Melodies, Lyrics and Lessons, to rave reviews from children of all ages! Her composition, Sing, Sing, Sing, was selected as the second grade song in McGraw-Hill’s music textbook, Share The Music, to be released later this year for children around the world. Ms. McKenzie holds a B.A. in Psychology from Brown University and an M.A. in Music Education from New York University.
Ms. McKenzie is also the co-founder of the landmark Black Chorus of Brown University where she served as director for her entire tenure at Brown, the first ensemble of its kind in the history of Brown University. Her busy schedule includes her work as a choir director and Minister of Music for the past several decades. She remains in great demand as a choral and vocal coach, conductor and soloist, as well as Music Minister in the tri-state area of New York City. Ms. McKenzie is the Assistant Minister of Music at the Antioch Baptist Church of Corona in Queens, New York where she has been for the past 23 years under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Marvin J. Bentley.
McKenzie has a ...voice which could rival any singer”
Amsterdam News
“With her voice and her way, Branice McKenzie interprets, communicates and entertains – holding nothing back.”
I’m a fan!”
Gregory Hines
“A singer … I hope to be hearing much more of...”
Michael Bourne, WBGO Jazz & National Public Radio
“Sharing an artistic experience with others is part of the joy of art. When someone with a gift of talent like Branice McKenzie becomes one of those experiences, it becomes the reaffirmation of the goodness of art as an instrument of love and communication. I have not only enjoyed her talent, I have been inspired by it.”
Harry Belafonte
“Branice McKenzie [is a] … top notch cabaret singer.”
Granger, WMCA Radio