Music has been a part of Jeannine’s life since she was born. Having a mother who was a Musical Director and a family that includes the Jones Brothers Hank, Thad, and Elvin formed the basis of exposure to music that began a career that started with Jeannine’s debut as a vocalist with the Detroit Symphony with American Youth Performs at age 12.
She has shared the stage with great musicians of every genre (especially jazz) who have served as mentors, including Grover Washington Jr., Arthur Prysock, Kool and the Gang, Pete Seeger, Joe Chambers and Donald Byrd, Rudy Mwangozi, Saul Ruin, Stanley Banks bassist, Finnish Jazz composer Heikki Sarmanto and Vishnu Wood, bassist, and his band Safari East.
She has been a featured vocalist at many jazz festivals including the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, JazzMobile with Safari East, and the Universal Temple of the Arts yearly jazz festival. Jeannine has also appeared on Broadway in THIS JOINT IS JUMPIN’ at the Supper Club in the Edison Hotel with Larry Marshall and the Michael E Smith Big Band and the New York Big Band at Tavern on the Green.
The Latest Music News
Jazz Festival performance
Check out this video of Jeannine’s recent performance at the Jazz Festival in March at St George Theatre in Staten Island!
Biggest Funk & Soul Tunes of 2021
Jeannine’s song “Jerk & Shake” was featured on The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show’s Biggest Funk & Soul Tunes of 2021!
Into My Heart (2021)
Vocalist/Educator/Actress/Author Jeannine Otis releases Into My Heart, her first recording in eight years!
Otis shines on this intimate and engaging small combo/duet recording on nine ballad, dance and Latin-tinged tracks featuring original compositions and standards, including Billie Holiday’s classic “Lover Man,” Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood,” and two selections by the late keyboardist/composer Onaje Allan Gumbs.
Otis’ new album is a good fit for any jazz lovers’ romantic moments.”
philspicks
It is a nine-track love story that finds Jeanine showing off her singing skills for the first time in eight years.”
JP’s Music Blog
This is some damn serious velvet soul vocals.”
Midwest Record
Jeannine’s choice tunes- a playlist
While you’re reading all about Jeannine’s music… have a listen! This playlist contains some of Jeannine’s choicest tunes, from her early days through today.
Jeannine Featured in Compilations
Jeannine Otis’ music, in a whirlwind miracle, is included with artists such as Al Jarreau, George Benson, Grover Washington Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn. Josephine Baker, Nina Simone, cousin Elvin Jones, and more. These compilations, released by Warner Group in 2017 and 2018, are available on Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Apple Music, and Amazon.
- Best Jazz For A Cloudy Day [amazon|spotify]
- 80’s Jazz Classics [amazon|spotify]
- Jazz Para Correr [amazon|spotify]
- Jazz pela Manhã para Acordar [amazon|spotify]
- A natureza no Jazz [amazon|spotify]
- Coleção Jazz Cantado [amazon|spotify]
- Women Singing Jazz [amazon|spotify]
- Orchestral Jazz Hits [amazon|spotify]
- Loving Jazz [amazon]
Jeannine’s Musical History
Touring with Kool & the Gang
Just out of college, Jeannine toured with Kool and the Gang and appeared on American Bandstand with them.
Other Recordings
- Pori Jazz 1966-2015 (features Jeannine singing “Fenway Love Live” at the Pori Jazz Festival)
- Roots of Scandinavian Jazz (“Magic Song” title song)
- Pohjala Suite (live recording of Jeannine at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki after a 20-city tour, singing “Beyond the Wind”)
- Jeannine Otis and The Strings of the Helsinki Philharmonic