Vera Marie Bridges

 "Music is the language of the spirit.  It opens the secret of life....."  Kahlil Gibran.  

Vera Marie Bridges, a northern California musician, plays and writes in a variety of "Americana" styles: sultry blues, up-beat swing,  old-school rock,  folk, and a little bit of bluegrass and jazz, with a gentle hint of sass and subtle humor added in.  Her creative and catchy melodies will have you wanting to sing along.  Her words will leave you asking, is this true...?

Swing and jazz were her first influences musically.  Her dad's huge record collection was continually being played in the home. One of her favorite memories was listening to her dad play boogie woogie and jazz piano for hours in the family room.    

Vera studied violin and piano from age 8.  She did not like her piano teacher, so a roller skating mishap that led to a broken arm got her out of piano lessons. However, she loved violin and continued studying, eventually switching to viola in high school. At the age of fourteen, she picked up guitar, her “voice” through those turbulent teenage years.

Vera spent her college years immersed in classical music.  After she got her teaching credential in the 80s, she taught in the California public school system.  Although she enjoyed the years she spent in the classroom, she was always aware of the void in her life caused by giving up playing and performing. Several years ago, after giving up her day job, Vera began writing and singing. Her voice has been described as a blend of Joan Baez and Kacey Musgraves.

Vera has a unique violin style that is a blend of her classical roots, and soulful inspiration. Vera has been a member of or a guest artist in a number of local bands:  Bad Daddy, Mandy Jo and the Holy Mackeral, Swingtown, The Swigs, Three on a Tree, Adults at Play, The Threesome, and Brad Petersen and Friends.

Photographer: Ken Pordes