Musicians - Esthero

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	Musicians - Esthero

Esthero (real name Jen-Bea Englishman, born December 23, 1978) is a Canadian singer-songwriter who lives and works in the city of Toronto, Ontario. The name "Esthero," pronounced es-THERE-oh, refers both to the singer and to the two-person team of herself and her producer, Doc. She claims to have gotten the name from an old film character named Esther, whose last line in a movie (called, The Bell Jar based on the autobiographical Sylvia Plath novel) is, "If I am to be the hero, then I cannot fly from darkness."

Esthero's sound characteristically features her voice over a mix of mellow bass lines, jazzy trumpets, Spanish guitar and hip-hop. She is sometimes compared to trip-hop artists Björk, Portishead and the Sneaker Pimps. Later artists who count Esthero among their influences include Res and fellow Canadian Nelly Furtado.

Esthero has appeared as a guest jurist on the popular MuchMusic show Video On Trial.

Esthero's brother, j. englishman, is also a musician.

Background

At the age of sixteen, Esthero left southern Ontario to live on her own in Toronto, where she began singing at open-mic nights while supporting herself by working at a café. Within months, a mutual acquaintance introduced her to Doc, a guitarist and studio engineer. The young duo quickly began recording together, and their debut album, Breath from Another, was released to critical acclaim in 1998.

On April 20, 2004, without Doc's assistance, Esthero released "O.G. Bitch," a standalone EP featuring seven different remixes of the title track, plus the b-side "I Love You." The EP led the way to Esthero's 2005 full-length album on the Warner Bros. label, the decidedly jazzy Wikked Lil' Grrrls, seven years following her debut album, to moderate critical acclaim. The album features contributions, either vocally or instrumentally, from Sean Lennon, André 3000, Shakari Nite, Cee-Lo Green of Goodie Mob, Jemeni, and Jelleestone. It was also chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005.

Esthero has appeared on the Chris Rock Show, Video on Trial, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. She has also contributed songs to the films Go, Love & Basketball and Down With Love, as well as the video game 007: Nightfire.

Esthero is touring with John Legend on East Coast of US from November 21 to December 1 and then heading south for 3 concerts.

Discography

Short of Breath (promo, 1998; Sony Records/The WORK Group)
Breath From Another (CD, 1998; Sony Records/The WORK Group)
Heaven Sent (CD single, 1998; Sony Records/The WORK Group)
Zero Effect Motion Picture Soundtrack (CD, 1999) (Song "Lounge")
That Girl (promo, 1999; Sony Records/The WORK Group)
Taken to the Next Phase (Isley Brothers tribute CD, 2004; Epic Records/Legacy Records)
O.G. Bitch (CD EP, 2004; Reprise Records)
O.G. Bitch Remixes (CD 2004; Reprise Records)
We R In Need of A Musical Revolution (CD EP, 2004 Reprise Records)
Wikked Lil' Grrrls Samplers (Version 1 & 2) (CD, 2005; Warner Bros. Records)
Wikked Lil' Grrrls (CD, 2005; Warner Bros. Records)
Fastlane Remixes (CD, 2005; Warner Bros. Records)

Collaborations

1998

"World I Know"(Country Livin' Version) by Goodie Mob and Esthero (From Slam: The Soundtrack)

1999

"Final Home" (vocal edit featuring Esthero) by DJ Krush
(From album "Kakusei", original pressings of this album do not contain the vocal edit. This track is also included on the "Code 4109" album.)
"Song for Holly" with Danny Saber (for the soundtrack to the movie Go)

2000

"When I Fall In Love" (featuring Bratticus) by Axus (From "Soundtrack for Life (2000)". Esthero appears under the name Bratticus. This is a cover of the jazz standard written by Heyman and Young.)
"Complete Beloved" by Black Eyed Peas featuring Les Nubians (From "Love & Basketball: Music from the Motion Picture". Esthero appears in the background vocals.)
"The Hero" (featuring Esthero) by j. englishman
(From "poor lil rockstar" album. Esthero also appears on demo version of "Don't Mean A Thing")
"Don't Wanna Be Your Slave" (featuring Esthero) by Michie Mee
(From Michie's album "First cut Is The Deepest".)
"Priceless" by Rascalz (From "Global Warning" album. Esthero appears only in the backround vocals)
"Weekends" (featuring Esthero) by Black Eyed Peas (From "Bridging the Gap" album. She also appeared in the music video for this song). Esthero is also featuring on a hidden track called "Empire Strikes Black")

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Esthero ]

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