Eileen onstage with the Glenn Miller Orchestra
Eileen Burns is an accomplished vocalist specializing in jazz standards, swing and rhythm & blues, based in Cleveland, Ohio. Influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Ruth Brown, Keely Smith, Aretha Franklin, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Peggy Lee and more.
The Midnight Martini Show
Background
Eileen got her start in community theater and as a swing dancer, developing an appreciation for the great music of the 30s, 40s and 50s and garnering attention for a vocal style that hearkened back to the “girl singers” of that era. Starting in 2003, she performed as a co-host and singer in the original cast of the Rat Pack-inspired Midnight Martini Show at Pickwick & Frolic in downtown Cleveland, a show which ran for almost 5 years every Friday and Saturday night, which is likely the longest-running show in Cleveland history. During the run, the cast performed for thousands of people, was featured in the New York Times, USA Today, and on Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels, and sang at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
During this time, Eileen also performed in numerous Cleveland theatrical productions on stages including Weathervane Playhouse, Cassidy Theater and Playhouse Square. She also appeared regularly on the Mighty Wurlitzer Radio Hour on WCLV singing standards and Broadway show tunes in an old-time radio format.
Singing with the GMO.
In 2012, Eileen was chosen to be the new female vocalist for the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra and toured with the band for a year. During that time, she sang at sold-out concert halls throughout the world. Highlights included performing with the Indianapolis Symphony, a 4-day concert series at Busch Gardens, a Crystal Serenity cruise to Portugal, several engagements on the Mississippi riverboat American Queen, a 3-week tour of Quebec and a month-long tour of Japan. She is featured on the GMO’s 2013 album, “In The Mood.”
Since then, Eileen has performed as the female vocalist in Canton Comic Opera’s production of The Ted Lewis Orchestra: Rhythm Rhapsody Revue and has appeared in local theatrical productions. She can also be heard sitting in with jazz combos around town, and as the lead singer for Red Light Roxy.
During the day, Eileen writes a blog about sustainable living called Green and Grumpy and freelances as a virtual web assistant, building web sites like this one and helping business owners with a variety of administrative services on an as-needed basis. Visit eileenburns.org for more information.
You can contact Eileen at eburns4321@gmail.com.
