about

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To start with
Born in the late ‘60s in Hong Kong. Dad plays in his jazz band and mom runs the club.

 

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Soon after
The Mayer family moves to Switzerland and with Flower Power through the ‘70s. Music always and everywhere. Father Vali on the bass and brother Jojo already on the drums. Days are spent in a small town on lake Zurich and nights backstage across Europe. All of it managed by mother Myriam. Omnipresent the Music of Earth Wind & Fire, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, Billie Holliday, James Brown.

  

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A bit later

Piano lessons from age seven. Rather plays by heart or improvises than reading scores. Switches to singing after a bite of dad’s pet crocodile Jacob. Dance lessons, because who wants to sit still all the time? But also A-levels in economics because detours have their upside too.

 

 

Inevitable

Studies in dance, singing and drama in Vienna, Meisner technique and Strasberg method in New York, masterclasses in opera and classical singing, coaching with Giles Formann (Center for Acting in London).

 

Discovers Schubert, Brahms, Fauré, Verdi, Mozart, Strauss, Wolf, Schoenberg, Eisler, Weill, Hollaender, Alban Berg; and at the same time influenced by the music of Rickie Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell, Keith Jarrett, Hildegard Knef, Bertolt Brecht, Nina Hagen, Randy Newmann, Tom Waits, Eva Cassidy, Lizz Wright, Bob Dylan.

 

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Today
Living in Zurich and Berlin, in migration between cinema, TV, theater and music in Europe & USA. Singer- Songwriter album release These Days co-produced by Jojo Mayer, often to be found on the road with her band. Collaborations with Burgtheater Vienna, Ruhrtriennale Germany, KKL Lucerne, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Blitz-Theatre Group Greece, and James Gaffigan, Doris Dörrie, Anna Winger and Maria Schrader among many others.

 

 

One day

Neuro-psychologist, truck driver, lifeguard?