Amanda King

Amanda King is a classic singer of songs – a true chanteuse with a straight-ahead style steeped in the tradition.  Hailed by The New York Times critic Stephen Holden as one of the nightclub world’s "exceptional rising talents," Amanda delves deep into the treasure trove of musical lore, honoring the stories, songs, and luminaries that defined the rich tapestry of early American Popular Music and Jazz.  Recently making her international debut and currently touring across the country, she commands the stage with a smoothness of voice and surety of style that delights audiences everywhere. Her performances, imbued with the sophistication of a bygone era yet resonating with the vibrancy of the present, have earned her the affectionate title of ‘Las Vegas' Queen of Swing.’ Swing is the thing for Amanda King!

How It's Going

So far, 2024 has brought two wonderful highlights to Amanda’s career: her international debut (in London) and ‘Standards Deluxe’ – an album by the Rob Dixon/Steve Allee Quintet featuring Amanda King and Derrick Gardner. ‘Standards Deluxe’ is a captivating exploration of jazz's timeless classics (arranged by Steve and Rob) mixed with swinging originals from Rob Dixon. JazzWeekly.com says “Amanda King brings rich vocals to a cozy read of “The Very Thought Of You” and swoons through “Sway”. She delivers a sultry read on a vocal take of “Caravan.” Reviewer Rob Lester of Talkin' Broadway commends King's performance, stating, "Amanda King is a rich-voiced performer who takes command, digging into both music and lyrics with care and nuances." The LA Jazz Scene praises Amanda’s interpretation of classic tunes like "Love for Sale" and "Caravan." They say her delivery is characterized by "casual precision," as she effortlessly swings through each lyric, unfolding the songs like chapters in a beloved novel. Backed by the masterful musicianship of the Rob Dixon/Steve Allee Quintet, Amanda’s vocals soar to great heights, enveloping listeners in a tapestry of sound that evokes the golden age of jazz. The album has been in the Top 50 for 16 weeks (since it’s February 2024 release), peaking at an impressive #17 and making it clear that Amanda’s artistry is resonating with audiences far and wide.

Amanda doesn't just sing songs; she is a musical preservationist of early American Popular Music and jazz. Amanda is known for her groundbreaking “Edu-tainment” performances, such as "Forgotten Women, Lost Songs" and "The Melting Pot: Blacks, Jews and Jazz” that both debuted as part of the SFJazz Discover Jazz Series. Upon learning of Ella Fitzgerald’s early life and career, in 2017 she created and debuted ‘ELLA The Early Years’, which is currently touring and garnering rave reviews from audiences and critics everywhere. 

A devoted fan of classic movie musicals, Amanda relishes diving into history to share the stories, songs and people that make up the treasure trove of pre-1950s American Popular Music.

How It All Began

A natural entertainer since birth, Amanda comes from a family of educators and classical musicians which, of course, made her not want to study music. So she studied acting and performed in plays and musicals (because she could always sing) throughout her childhood and into college. As a youngster she briefly studied with the AMAS Repertory Theatre led by the great Rosetta LeNoire. A few years later, she became one of the youngest apprentices at The Actors' Theatre of Louisville.  A decade later, her journey to singing began with the movie musicals of the 1930s/40s, a lucky vocal change later in life, and some inspiration from the late, great playwright Terence McNally. Amidst the bustling energy of San Francisco, a chance entry into the Bay Area Cabaret Competition catapulted her into the spotlight, earning her a spot as a 2nd place finalist. That win was just the beginning and she went on to become a beloved fixture in the Bay Area music scene. Her acclaimed one-woman show, "It’s About Damn Time!" at San Francisco's New Conservatory Theater Center put her on the map. "Chanteuse," which followed, solidified her reputation as a solo performer, leading to her debut CD, "Chanteuse," recorded at the renowned Fantasy Studios in 2008 with her (then) regular trio of well-known Bay Area jazz artists: Shota Osabe, Jeff Neighbor, and Surya Nur Patri. 

In 2017 Amanda relocated to Las Vegas. Embraced by the vibrant energy of the Las Vegas music scene, Amanda quickly established herself as one of the top jazz performers, earning the resounding endorsement of the Las Vegas Review Journal, which declared, "King is Queen.”

Places, People, Things

 - Currently in her sixth year performing at The Mob Museum (Las Vegas) in The Underground Speakeasy & Distillery. 

- In December 2018, released her holiday EP “It’s Christmas! with Amanda King” co-produced by Barry Manilow’s musical director Joey Melotti, and featuring some of Las Vegas’s finest musicians.

- Debuted her highly successful show “ELLA The Early Years” which features the history of young Ella Fitzgerald through her brilliant time with the Chick Webb Orchestra.

- Opened the Bay Area Cabaret 2017-18 season with “Ella Fitzgerald: A Centennial Celebration” alongside Lillias White, Janis Siegal, Freda Payne, and Sony Holland in the world-famous Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Also part of Bay Area Cabaret’s "Cabaret Spectacular" alongside the magnificent Amanda McBroom and others.

- A featured performer with The Cole Porter Society since 2014. Appearances include “The Music of Nat and Ella” featuring Noah Griffin, Dr. Margie Baker, and Amanda in celebration of Nat King Cole’s centenary. “Centi Anni: Sinatra at 100” a standing room only evening featuring a 17-piece orchestra at Herbst Theater. She also was a lead in “Les Revues des Ambassadeurs”, Cole Porter’s long-lost night club revue from his time in Paris in 1928 that was rediscovered in 2014 and hadn’t been performed in 86 years.

- Created two full-length lecture-performances that debuted as part of the SFJazz Discover Jazz Series. "Forgotten Women, Lost Songs” celebrates the lives of musical pioneers Blanche Calloway and Valaida Snow, and “The Melting Pot: Blacks, Jews and Jazz”, is a musical exploration of the evolution of jazz via contributions from black and Jewish culture. Both lectures received rave reviews from attendees.

- Garnered critical acclaim as the title character Queenie in the Oakland Opera Theater's rendition of Duke Ellington’s incomplete and rarely performed jazz opera, “Queenie Pie”.

-Multi-time performer in the New York Cabaret Convention presented by The Mabel Mercer Foundation at Jazz @ Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater.

- Featured soloist in a Pops concert of Gershwin tunes with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra at Herbst Theatre.

- Performed with several big bands including: Harold Jones and the Big Bossmen (Marin); The Starduster Orchestra (Mill Valley); Desert Cities Jazz Band (Palm Desert); Woody Woods Orchestra (Las Vegas)

Venues, Festivals and Organizations (not exclusive):

Venues: The Pheasantry (London); Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis); 54 Below (NYC); Feinstein’s at the Nikko (SF); The Venetian Room (Fairmont Hotel SF); Tuscany Suites & Casino (Las Vegas); The Mob Museum (Las Vegas); The Starbright Theatre (Las Vegas); Cary Arts Center (NC); The Grunin Center (NJ); The Palace Performing Arts Center (TX); The Orinda Theatre (Orinda); The Four Seasons (SF); Ritz-Carlton (SF); The St. Francis (SF); Palace Hotel (SF); Herbst Theatre (SF); Rose Hall, Jazz @ Lincoln Center (NYC); The Plush Room (SF); The Metropolitan Room (NYC); The Gardenia (LA); The Dispensary Lounge (Las Vegas); El Cortez Casino (Las Vegas); Italian American Club (Las Vegas); Silverton Casino (Las Vegas); Jazz Heritage Center (SF); Firehouse Arts Theatre (Pleasanton); St. Francis Yacht Club (SF); Golden Gate Yacht Club (SF); Vicky’s of Santa Fe (Indian Wells); Bimbo’s (SF); Yoshi’s Jazz Lounge (SF); The House of Blues (Las Vegas); Silo’s (Napa); The Sound Room (Oakland); The Century Club (SF); Zingari (SF); Angelica’s (Redwood City); Marin Civic Center (St. Rafael); Osher Marin JCC (St. Rafael); The Battery (SF); Julia Morgan Ballroom (SF); The Chatterbox (Indianapolis); Madame Walker Theater Ballroom (Indianapolis); Temple Sinai (Las Vegas); Geoffrey’s Inner Circle (Oakland); The Sequoias (SF); Rossmore (Walnut Creek); Contra Costa Country Club (Pleasant Hill); San Geronimo Country Club (St. Geronimo)

Festivals: IndyJazz Fest; Fillmore Jazz Festival; North Beach Festival; Castro Street Festival 

National Anthem Performances: San Francisco Giants; San Francisco Deltas, Las Vegas 51s

Organizations: Bay Area Cabaret; Mabel Mercer Foundation (NY); The Cole Porter Society; SFJazz (SF); Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, Napa Valley Jazz Society; Raphael House (SF); San Francisco Chamber Orchestra (SF); Young Presidents (SF); National Council for Jewish Women (Rossmore); American Jazz Institute (Palm Desert); Richmond-Ermet AIDS Foundation (SF); Cathedral School for Boys (SF); SF Men & Boys Chorus (SF); Contra Costa Interfaith Housing (Walnut Creek); Lufthansa Airlines

Amanda has shared the stage/performed with a slew of great musicians, including: Ann Hampton-Callaway, Ken Peplowski, Amanda McBroom, Janis Siegal, Freda Payne, Taylor Eigsti, Peter Erskine, Paula West, Harold Jones, Marilyn Maye, Dr. Margie Baker, Noah Griffin, Mike Greensill, Akira Tana, Larry Dunlap, Zowie Bowie, Dennis Bono, Jeff Neighbor, Marcus Shelby, Shota Osabe, Patrick Hogan, Woody Woods, Bob Sachs, Michael Tramontana,  Jonathan Karrant, Mary Wilson, Carole Bufford;  Jonathan Poretz, Nicholas King, Chadwick Johnson, and other greats.