Beverly was born to wonderful Christian parents in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1961, her father brought the family to San Jose, California, for a better life full of opportunities. Her mother had the gift of voice, a wonderful Soprano, and traveled around the South with a soul stirring Gospel Group in the early 40's and 50's. Her father is also very musically inclined and played a mean Alto Sax in his day. Beverly's aunt, the late Ethel Smith (Cook), lived in Detroit and grew up with Martha Reeves. Auntie Ethel sang with "Martha Reeves and the Vandellas" in their early days. Music filled the Johnson household with anything from Gospel to Jazz, country to classical.

Beverly sang her first solo in the church choir at the tender age of 10. From grammar school high school, Beverly sang any chance that came her way. She performed at NAACP events, Jack & Jill parties, Debutante Balls and special events singing her favorite songs from the all Hal David and Burt Bacharach collection. She performed in South San Jose groups and was a soloist in the Messiah".

Driven by her passion for music, Beverly majored in Voice at San Jose State College and studied under the late Jeanne Garson. Trained to sing classical music in 5 different languages, she excelled and was asked to join the Acappella Choir in her Freshman year, an opportunity which is only offered to upper classmen.

Beverly took her voice and hit the road, singing lead in a popular R&B and Soul '70's Band, traveling throughout Northern California. During this time, she continued her classical training and Gospel singing, fine tuning her voice into the varied instrument it is today.

     

Since those formative days, Beverly has performed at various venues throughout the Bay Area, and around the United States. While a successful and respected business woman by day, Beverly transforms into a jazz diva at night. Her silken voice and smooth song styling captivates her audience.

Beverly's favorite artists include Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald for their seamless, smooth vibrato, and she also enjoys the outstanding vocal ability of recording artist Phil Perry (at right).

 


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