Nashville recording artist Colleen Orender's new music has been called “a sultry jazz dream with pop sensibilities and a touch of James Bond” by NPR when she was part of their recent “10 Artists to Add from Nashville” feature.
A touring jazz and blues artist for decades, Orender turns venues into smoldering 1930s Mississippi juke joints. Her new single "Run Right Back to You", was inspired by a lush mix of artists spanning from Judy Garland to Joe Jonas. Hers is a voice that brings with it an aura of familiarity - having been described as “Amy Winehouse with Julie London’s essence.” The track will appear on her upcoming album In The Company of Old Men.
“I grew up on the blues,” Orender recalls. “The first song I remember learning when I was about three years old was ‘Statesboro Blues’ from my dad, who was a huge blues fanatic. I knew the music of John Lee Hooker, BB King, Denise La Salle, Etta James, Johnnie Taylor, Gregg Allman, and Bonnie Raitt in elementary school. I also had a deep love for Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and of course, Judy Garland was a huge influence. Later, I would fall in love with jazz greats such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and my absolute fave Julie London.”
Born in Tampa, Orender began her singing career joining her grandfather's country band at the tender age of five. Upon her arrival in Nashville, she was featured on a slew of demos produced by Tim Akers (Music Director/Keys for Prime Time Country TNN, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts). She also joined a band at Opryland which led her to opening slots for Rick Springfield and Wilson Phillips. She was part of the opening of Always Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium and has also opened for Wynnona Judd.
“At some point I gave up on songwriting since so many projects never got lift-off. The music industry wasn’t set up to support independent artists when I first got started, so I just focused on being on the road and singing the songs I loved. But the ideas and songs never stopped coming to me. I’m privy to a lot of conversations in bars late at night. That’s where a lot of my inspiration comes from for my new music.”
Orender has already released several singles from her upcoming album, The Company of Older Men, due out later this year. “Don’t Give a Damn About Love,” written by Orender and Nikki Williams (Demi Lovato, Lauren Alaina, Laura Pausini), is getting regular radio play in Nashville and several NPR stations outside of her home market. “The Mouth You Feed,” written by Orender, Greg Becker (Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts), and Michael Davey was featured on NPR’s “10 Artists to Add from Nashville” list.
