Impressive debut for a precocious chanteuse

Despite the well-worn numbers, 13-year-old Renee Olstead wows with her performance.

June 02, 2003|Don Heckman, Special to The Times

“The catchwords circulating lately around the new-talent departments of most jazz record companies have been on the order of “young,” “female” and “crossover.”

Read the rest of the article at Don Heckman L.A. times

Olstead’s voice belies her age

September 25, 2003|Don Heckman

“When Renee Olstead walked on stage with Bill Cosby’s jazz all-stars at the Playboy Festival in June, an afternoon crowd watched skeptically. What could this tiny, red-headed sylph be doing with a bunch of road-hardened jazz veterans?”

Read the rest of the article at Don Heckman L.A. Times

At 14, she’s clearly old school

Renee Olstead, who gave a dramatic performance at the Playboy Jazz Festival last year, is drawn to classic material.

May 15, 2004|Don Heckman, Special to The Times

“Last June, a tiny 13-year-old redhead named Renee Olstead walked onstage at the Hollywood Bowl, looking out in wide-eyed wonder at the packed house for the Playboy Jazz Festival.”

Read the rest of the article at Don Heckman L.A. Times

“However, the unscheduled vocal performance of 13 years old Renee Olstead brought an unexpected highlight and pleasure to the entire event.”

Read the rest of the article at Hiroshima

By Elly Roberts

“After a hesitant start,emerging Jazz singer Renee Olstead finally lets rip on knockabout standard Summertime.From then on it’s cruise control…..”

Read the rest of the review at Renee Olstead Album Review by Elly Roberts

By Dave Morgan

“A new film, Thirteen Going On Thirty, features the beautiful and talented young redhead, Renee Olstead. Renee is just shy of her fifteenth birthday. She also has a self-titled CD on Reprise Records. …/…  You’d expect some respectable teen pop from this set-up. …/…  Well, you’d be underestimating by a factor of several hundred, because this record is nothing short of amazing!”

Read the rest of the review at Renee Olstead Album Review For Walmart

By Chistopher Loudon

“Though it is a dazzling debut, suggesting the first step in a major musical career, Olstead knows her age is likely to be held against her. “Some people may not take me seriously,” she says, “but I can’t let that stop me. This is music that belongs to all of us.” ”

Read the rest of the review at Renee Olstead Album Review from JazzTimes

By Riandi K

“This multitalent girl is really amazing. …/… Her sultry, jazzy bluesy voice delivered classic songs from the great American songbook in perfection. It’s hard to believe that such a voice came from a teenage girl who was still in high school.”

Read the rest of the review at Renee Olstead Album Review for Jazzuality.com

By Mark Saleski

“My parents totally missed the rise of modern jazz. During the 1950’s and 60’s, all of that Miles and Monk and Coltrane…you get the idea. …/… Now, a couple of facts should disqualify Renee Olstead from being considered as fitting in with the Exotica of yore.”

Read the rest of the review at Renee Olstead Album Review for Blogcritics

By Jim Santella

“Renee Olstead is best known for her role as an actress with the CBS-TV sitcomStill Standing. …/… she reminds us that it takes the efforts of everyone to keep the music alive and growing.”

Read the rest of the article at Legends of Jazz: The Jazz Masters on All-About-Jazz

Olstead at 16 remains precocious yet wiser

January 27, 2006|Don Heckman, Special to The Times

“Renee Olstead has come a long way since she first startled jazz fans in 2003 with the stunning maturity of her singing.”

Read the rest of the article at Don Heckman L.A. Times
Reneé Olstead – Skylark (Reprise)

Released – January 27, 2009

“Okay, so I’m confused.The note from Renee Olstead at her website says of this new disc, “We worked really hard to give u the best album we could, hope y’all like it as much as I loved making it  ” …/… In the end, I guess it really doesn’t matter.  You must buy this album.”

Read the rest of the review at Skylark Album Review by GIRLsingers

Renee Olstead – Skylark

by Jessica Hewson

20-something songbird Renee Olstead moves effortlessly between jazz and blues, slow and quick, sassy and sensitive, on this gem of an album.

“From the first note of “Midnight Man” to the last bar of “Nothing But the Blame” the listener is transported back in time to an era of Bogart, bourbon and velvet.”

Read the rest of the review at Channel24.co.za

Skylark Renee Olstead scores again SOUNDS FAMILIAR By Baby A. Gil (The Philippine Star) Updated June 10, 2009 12:00 AM

It takes a certain sensibility for a singer to be able to immerse himself inside those songs. Very few have what it takes and if the singers don’t, the results can be abominable.

Read the rest of the review at Philstar.com

Skylark Review By Nicole Pensiero

“Teen chanteuse/actress ReneeOlstead – whose 2004 debut had the then-eighth-grader belting out jazz standards like a seasoned vet – avoids the dreaded sophomore slump with her long-awaited follow-up album, Skylark.”

Read the rest of the review at www.philly.com/

Renee Olstead’s New Album – Skylark (2009)

“The waiting is finally over. It took so long, but when I listened to this album for the very first time, it was worth to wait in the end. …/… If you love her first album, there are plenty of reason to love this album even more. …/… this album is simply a must have.”

Read the rest of the review at Jazzuality.com