Renee Olstead - Skylark

Renee Olstead may not be a household name yet—but she’s fast becoming one. Just 19, Renee is a singer-actress with an already impressive list of credits. Born an only child in Houston, she has appeared in movies like The Insider with Russell Crowe and 13 Going on 30 with Jennifer Garner. Her TV appearances have included a co-starring role as middle sister Lauren Miller in the sitcom Still Standing, now in its third season.

Renee’s music career is equally promising. After recording several independent CDs, the teenage singer was discovered by Canadian award-winning producer David Foster, who had previously groomed such stars as Céline Dion, Josh Groban and Michael Bublé. Renee’s talent, together with David’s endorsement, landed her a major recording deal. Her next CD, the Foster-produced Renee Olstead, was a polished recording that became one of 2004’s top-selling jazz-pop albums.

Now Renee and David are back with another album that showcases her dazzling, bluesy jazz voice. Skylark offers a mix of standards such as “My Baby Just Cares for Me” and “When I Fall in Love,” with trumpeter Chris Botti, as well as modern classics like Percy Mayfield’s “Hit the Road Jack.” Most impressively, the album also boasts three originals that Renee co-wrote with David, including the tender ballad “Hold Me Now,” the blues-infused “Nothing But the Blame” and the roadhouse rocking “Midnight in Austin Texas,” featuring guitarist Robert Randolph. With a voice that can soar skyward one moment and melt hearts the next, Renee will go far.