Wendy Fopeano

Wendy Fopeano is a jazz vocalist based in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Wendy started out as an instrumentalist, playing electric and acoustic bass, trumpet, guitar, and piano, before choosing voice as her main instrument. She is very interested in ethnic music, especially Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and Indian. She was chosen to study Indian classical vocal techniques and tabla in Mumbai, India during a residency in 1999, has studied Afro-Cuban percussion and is currently learning to play percussion used in Brazilian pagode music. Wendy has taught through The Harmony Project, which pairs artists with teachers in public schools to facilitate learning through the arts. She has composed children's songs about nature, geometry, and Colorado history to help kids learn these subjects in fun ways. From 2001 to 2011 she hosted her own jazz show on Denver's jazz89 KUVO, and interviewed many fine musicians, including Tom Harrell, Christian McBride, Jonathan Kreisberg, Stanley Clarke, and Chick Corea.  

Her newest CD Raining On The Roses is available for purchase through CD Baby. In Denver, it can be found at Twist & Shout (2508 E. Colfax, 303-722-1943).  The CD was recorded live at Dazzle jazz club in Denver and features Marc Sabatella and Jeff Jenkins on piano, Bill Kopper on guitar, Bijoux Barbosa on bass, Jill Fredericksen on drums and special guests vocalist/pianist Carol Comer and pianist Art Lande. In his book, The Jazz Singers, famed jazz writer Scott Yanow writes that Fopeano's Raining on the Roses CD makes "one wonder why she is not nationally famous." Wendy's previous CD,  When There's Love, is also available on CD Baby, and features an outstanding trio of Art Lande on piano, Dwight Killian on bass, and Jill Fredericksen on drums. 

Wendy's newest venture is her band Jazzmin, consisting of Carmen Sandim - piano, Juli Royster - bass, and Jill Fredericksen - drums. They present an eclectic mix of original compositions and songs they love, no matter what the genre.  

Wendy is a photographer, specializing in photographing musicians in performance, and was an official photographer for Jazzfest Denver. She is also dusting off her acting chops, after many years. Her grandparents, Jenkin and Barbara David, founded the first community theater in Kansas City, Missouri in 1954 in a barn on their property, The Bell Road Barn Playhouse.  Wendy acted at The Barn from age 7 to age 26, then continued acting in productions at theaters in Estes Park, Colorado, where she took up residence in 1987. She also sings jingles and does voice-over work.

To reach Wendy by email, or to be added to her gig mailing list, write to her at wendy@wendyfopeano.com .