Brenda Earle Stokes

Brenda Earle Stokes is a Sarnia-born jazz pianist, singer and songwriter.  A longtime resident of New York City, Brenda has played with a “who’s who” of artists including trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, Broadway luminary Maurice Hines and the award winning Diva Jazz Orchestra.

A compelling performer, Stokes weaves together her virtuosic piano skills with expressive lyrics and her signature sense of humor.  You don’t have to be a jazz fan to enjoy her music!  Her music is engaging and satisfying for all.

Brenda Earle Stokes’ latest album Motherhood is a collection of 10 original songs that deal with the laughter, the frustration, the joy and the tears of motherhood.  Inspired by her own experience mothering a young son, the music was written and demoed during a 9 day residency at the Banff Center for Arts and Creativity in late 2019.  The project was awarded a prestigious grant by the Canada Council for the Arts and released in May 2024.

The songs on the Motherhood album explore the "real life" experience of modern mothering, exploring joy, fear, identity, change, invisible labor, gender roles, friendship, frustration and hilarity. Written in her usual candid style, Stokes brings to life what many parents feel as they navigate the complicated world of parenting in an ever more difficult social climate.

Stokes is excited to be making her Aeolian debut alongside award winning Canadian musicians Mike Downes on bass, Rebecca Hennessy on trumpet and vocals and Ethan Ardelli on drums.  

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Brenda Earle Stokes grew up in Sarnia, Ontario and started piano lessons at age 4.  Never an enthusiastic practicer, Stokes was exposed to the music of Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson and something “clicked”.  Her father started driving her to London, Ontario on weekends to take jazz piano lessons with London’s own Grant Graham and she ended up attending York University on the Oscar Peterson scholarship.

Her career has taken her around the globe, touring with legendary artists (she once opened for Duran Duran!) and as a bandleader with her own groups.  She has performed across the US and Canada and as far away as Australia and New Zealand.  She was a top ranged cruise ship performer and has worked as an off-Broadway music director and choral conductor.  In addition to her work as a recording artist and performer, she maintains an active career as an educator with her highly popular private studio and a YouTube  channel with over 25,000 subscribers.