Barbara Ernst

Barbara Ernst

info@misturabela.com

Website: www.misturabela.com

   Colorado Springs, CO, 80903

Although born in Canada, Barbara Ernst (vocals, guitar) grew up primarily in Colorado Springs, listening and dancing to the swing music of the 1920’s – 40’s (following the example of her parents – avid dancers). Studying piano as a child, she switched to guitar later, and made her way to the West Coast – first the Bay Area, and then Seattle, where she was greatly influenced by the music scene there in the 1980’s –> Over the last 25 years Barbara has traveled in Asia, Africa, and predominantly Latin America, collecting music from the various countries & playing with musicians along the way. She has performed in clubs in Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil and also participated twice in the Winter Music Festival in Sao Joao del Rei, Brazil. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, she sings with true authenticity the romantic Spanish ballads and Brazilian Sambas & Bossa Novas, and brings her own unique touch to some of our Jazz Standards. Barbara has performed locally in Colorado Springs since 1999 at several clubs, restaurants and Festivals including: the Fine Arts Center’s Deco Lounge, Cucuru Gallery, Adams Mark Hotel, The Broadmoor Hotel, Fujiyama, Rico's Cafe & Wine Bar, Salsa Brava, the Bliss Café in Denver and Pueblo’s Café ZzaJ & Canon City Harvest Festival. In May, 2010 her sextet performed--headlining-- the Estes Park jazz Festival. Barbara has had the privilege of working with some of the area's finest musicians. From Denver/Boulder: Ken Walker, (bass); Raoul Rossiter, Jill Fredericksen (drums). In Colorado Springs: Mark Rose, Ricky Sweum,(sax, flute); John Flores, Mark Neihoff (bass); Luke Tripp (violin). The group, Mistura Bela (Beautiful Mixture) can be hired in a variety of configurations from Barbara, solo, up to a 5-piece ensemble. Barbara has recently been nominated for the current COS Independent's Music awards, best solo Jazz act. You can vote at CSIndy.com (We are also happy to play at any benefit concerts for recent Waldo Canyon evacuees)

Currently playing every Friday 7-9 pm at Fujiyama, 22 S. Tejon; Saturday, July 7 at Cucuru Gallery, 2332 W. Colorado Ave, 7-10 pm; Wednesday, July 11 @ Limbach Park, Monument, 7-9 pm