Biography
A third-generation musician in a family tree including players of violin, piano, double bass, guitar, and accordion, Rebecca Zapen has developed into a versatile performer: classically-trained violinist, jazz crooner, and award-winning multi-instrumentalist songwriter. Barely out of the starting gate, her latest release, Nest, was awarded Florida Album of the Year 2011 by the Florida Times-Union and debuted at #12 on the Folk DJ charts. Zapen's "Japanese Bathhouse" won Best Album & Best Song (cabaret genre) in the Just Plain Folks Awards 2009, receiving 5 nominations. She was awarded Jacksonville's Musician of the Year 2008 (Florida Times Union). Recent career highlights include her performance as the musical guest on Public Radio International show Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?; original songs in a national promotion for Crocs Shoes; winning 2nd in the Bushman World Ukulele Video Contest. Zapen was a Finalist in the 2007 DiscMakers' Independent Music World Series.
Other highlights include appearances as jazz vocalist with the Hollywood Philharmonic Orchestra, and as the mandolin soloist in Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra's production of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni. She is an award-winning composer, earning the Silver Medal of Excellence for Best Use of Music in a Short Film at the 2008 Park City Film Music Festival. Her original songs appear in Look Both Ways, which won for Best Music in the 2009 San Francisco Seven Day Film Festival. Her music has been featured on NPR's All Songs Considered: Open Mic. Past performances include Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Florida Folk Festival, Gamble Rogers Fest, and venues such as The Bitter End and The Living Room.
The Florida native was born in Jacksonville, and now resides in St. Petersburg with her husband and son.
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