Drea Courtney

80

Profile Information:

What instrument do you play?

I can pick at the piano, but as a child and throughout college, I played violin in school orchestras.

How did you find out about the WDCJN?

friend

Where are you located?

Inglewood, California

Tell us about yourself

DRÉA COURTNEY’S BIO

Dréa began her singing career with the Bobby Dupee Trio at the Varsity Room in Los Angeles. Kenny Dixon introduced her to the Dolo Coker Trio where she worked at Club Casbah. Kenny later featured Dréa at the Parsian Room with Red Holloway, and Art Hillery at the old Jimmy Smith Supper Club in North Hollywood.

Dréa eventually formed her own group known as “DC Express” with Ralph Gibson, Neil Jordan, and Henry Van Sykle, they played St. Germain’s and Teddy’s on Melrose in Hollywood for 2 years.

Dréa was the featured vocalist with the Bill Skinner Big Band and worked such venues as Catalina‘s Bar & Grill, and Vine Street Bar & Grill, and most recently with the World Peace Orchestra at the Santa Monica Bar & Grill. The Chuck Johnson Jazztet also featured Dréa playing several major university campuses, coffee houses and major jazz festivals throughout Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley.

Reconnecting with the Kenny Dixon Trio she began working throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura appearing at the Biltmore Hotel, Red Lion Resort, and California 66 Club. Later Dréa again formed her own group working in Redondo Beach at Papa Garo’s and The Splash, and Lunaria Restaurant, in Beverly Hills. Other appearances include Stage One, The Billy Higgins’ World Stage, The Elephant Walk, Papa West Restaurant, and the Lucy Florence Coffee House in Los Angeles.

Most recent appearances include Catalina’s Bar & Grill and Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill and The Vermont Restaurant in Hollywood, Holly Street Bar & Grill in Pasadena, French 75 Bistro in Burbank, Santa Monica Bar & Grill in Santa Monica, Stevie‘s Creole Café in Encino, Sixth Street Bistro and Alva’s Performance Gallery in San Pedro, Jax in Glendale, Hotel Angeleno in Brentwood, Calitalia Bar & Grill in Calabasas, and The Jazz Bakery in Culver City. Television appearances include on “Eye on LA Channel 4,“The Franklyn Interview” and “The Al Noble Gospel Hour” on cable television.

As half of a jazz duo formerly known as Chapter & Verse with jazz guitarist Igor, they recorded a CD together entitled “Never Let Me Go.”
(Drea’s Contact No. 424-227-8279)

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