We have all heard of people who have had massive challenges to face and have come through stronger. We have also heard of people who are not afraid to change their lives and go in an entirely new direction. British singer and songwriter, Wendy Guevara, is one of these extraordinary human beings. She is a survivor and innovator who has become an inspirational voice and role model through her songs - her songs in her debut autobiographical album, Diversity Exposé.
“Diversity Exposé is about me,” says Wendy.“It reveals to my Fans the parts of me that only those very close to me know about.”
In the song ‘A Home That’s All Mine’, Wendy talks about her period of homelessness and need for her own space. She opens up her vulnerable side to us in ‘Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child’ and her strength of character in ‘Just Go!’ and ‘Setting the Standard’. The songs in Diversity Exposé are self-reflective and unveil different parts of Wendy Guevara’s personality and character where the lyrics and music are soul mates.
“As Diversity Exposé is an autobiographical album, I wanted each song to have its own identity.” Wendy Guevara continues, ”the blues was therefore perfect for showing my saucy side in ‘Tick Tock’. And for the song ‘But Aren’t You a Jamaican?’ I wanted a Punky Brit Pop feel as the song questions people perceptions of British-ness and assumptions about being Black and British. All this was made possible with the versatility of Chris Ingham who features on the Album.”
“For me,” Wendy Guevara states, “Diversity Exposé is the result of my need to grow and break barriers artistically and creatively and to show my total Diversity”
Before Diversity Exposé was released in the summer of 2010, one of the Album’s songs was chosen to be studied at Anglian Ruskin University, Cambridge. Her song-writing skills were also noticed in Europe as she is the special guest performer from the United Kingdom at one of Italy’s most prestigious cultural events, The Biella Festival, in Milan.
“I will not only be performing at the Biella Festival but will also be recording one of my songs and a song in Italian,” Wendy smiles. “Now this will be a challenge,” she says. “But that’s what makes my career exciting.”
Prior to producing ‘Diversity Exposé’, Wendy Guevara recorded an EP called ‘Oh Look At Me Now’. This recording of Jazz, Bossa Nova and Swing resulted in her being chosen as Unsigned Artist of the Week on BBC Radio 2 Courtney Pine's Jazz Crusade. The EP also received coverage on Trinidad and Tobago National Radio.
“In the beginning I had put all my energy into discovering and learning Jazz Standards and in my performances.” Wendy tells us, “the opportunity then came for me to record an EP and I took it. In this business things come along when you least expect them to.”
Through being a jazz singer, Wendy Guevara has had the pleasure to perform with many internationally renowned musicians, including the great double bass-player, Peter Ind, who has worked with massive Legends like Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker. Wendy says jazz has been the best training ground for her as a solo artist. She says she had to sink or swim on stage as she would often meet the musicians for the first time only minutes before a performance. Wendy also says that singing jazz has offered her great opportunities such as being invited to sing for International Fashion Designer, Jasper Conran, at his home.
Wendy tells us that “…singing swing is what got me back into performing since the first band I’d joined, called The Agency, broke up and I went to work in City of London.”
Finally, when asked about the future, Wendy says, “I will continue being diverse as that’s who I am and who my fans are. In terms of being specific, we will just have to wait and see.”