Alicia Renee a.k.a. “Blue Eyes” (nicknamed for being born with natural blue eyes) is a vocalist/bandleader who's been captivating audiences since the age of two. Born in Flint Michigan, she was active in musical theater, Opera, and Jazz, and sang Gospel in Church. Blue sings in French, Spanish and Italian, and has won numerous awards for her artistry – including a nomination for Gilles Peterson's BBC Worldwide Music Awards tune of the year in 2005 for her single “Black Land of the Nile.”
Although she is a masterful Jazz singer, Blue has recorded and performed internationally with a variety of Blues, R&B, Soul, Electronica, Reggae and Hip Hop artists – notably Indie Arie, 9X Grammy Award Winner Easy Mo Bee, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, General Levy, Roy Hargrove, Dwele, Bill Laswell, Kool G Rap, William S Burroughs, The Last Poets and Buddha Monk (of Wu Tang Clan).
Her voice has brought joy to thousands around the world, including audiences at the Jazz Cafe (UK), North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland), Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), La Scene (Paris, France), and The Lyndhurst Mansion (Mark Morganelli's Jazz Forum in Tarrytown, New York).
Claiming New Orleans as her home for the past decade, The city, magazines, and media outlets has dubbed Blue as “the Gem of the Vieux Carre” (Gem of the French Quarter). When she isn't performing internationally, she makes regular appearances at venues such as Preservation Hall, Snug Harbor, The Jazz Playhouse, The New Orleans Jazz Museum, and The House of Blues. Performing in a city of such cultural significance, Blue has collaborated with artists of great distinction. Highlights include singing a duet with Eric Clapton in the French Quarter, being featured in 5x Grammy Award winner Jon Baptiste's music video, and working as music director on the tv show Queen of the South.
Blue has a strong online presence and followers of hers on social media include Erykah Badu, Tank & The Bangas, and actress/rocker Juliette Lewis. Whether she is singing to a huge crowd of festival attendees, an intimate crowd of dignitaries at a gala, or bringing down the house in a club. Alicia Renee a.k.a. Blue Eyes has made a name for herself as a truly world-class artist, and each time she picks up her microphone new connections are made.
“A beautiful voice, full of talent for years to come.” -Quincy Jones
“People are calling her the next Billie Holiday.” -VIBE Magazine
“Alicia Renee' crowned the Gem of the Vieux Carre is known to sing at venues all over the world" -New Orleans Magazine