Many words are used to describe the musical stylings of Jennifer Real: powerful, soulful, sultry. But the most accurate may be the one given to her at birth: Real.
The New York native was practically ordained into music at birth.
“I have been singing since I could talk,” Real says. “My father was an opera singer so we had concerts regularly in my living room growing up for friends and family.”
Where most singers stay within on genre of music, Real’s four octave range has allowed her to flow in and out of whatever genre she wants to, easily singing soul, R&B and jazz, then switching up into rock, contemporary and pop. Her voice seems to have no boundaries.
“In high school I would walk down the hallways and kids would yell out, ‘that’s the white girl who can sing like a black girl,’” Real says laughing. “I was just always that crazy girl with the headphones on singing my heart out.”
Real has been singing in the Tampa Bay area for years. Well known throughout the community, she has been awarded numerous accolades, including as a WAVE winner in previous years, but it still gets her excited and happy when she wins.
“I’m just overwhelmed with joy,” Real says. “It’s nice to be recognized by the community. It brings me more confidence to do what I do and brings comfort to my heart.”
Tampa Bay cannot seem to get enough of Jennifer Real. Besides playing to packed houses at Queen’s Head, Spinnakers and Nauti-Nancy’s, Real was the featured performer at the TBGLCC’s Diamond Awards and will be singing at this year’s WAVE Award celebration.
On top of that, Real has recently been hired on at Central Ave.’s newest hot spot, Punky’s, for a regular gig.
The crowds aren’t just turning out for that voice, they are also coming out to see the person that is Jennifer Real.
“I put myself out there,” Real says. “I think as a performer, doing what you love to do shows through, and people feel and feed off that energy.”
Real also makes sure to know the people who come out to see and support her.
“I love to talk to my audience and talk with my fans,” she says. “It isn’t just singing song after song, I commune with them, and I want someone who is hearing me and out at one of my shows to know that we are all one.”
