New Zealander Andrea Blades has performed professionally in the UK since emigrating in June 2000.

Whilst in New Zealand, she established a respected reputation on the South Island jazz scene including featuring in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with internationally acclaimed vocalist Malcolm McNeill at the Christchurch Jazz Festival, singing at the Christchurch International Festival of the Arts and performing a concert series of Harry Warren and Jimmy Van Heusen standards with jazz pianist Doug Caldwell.

Andrea also has a strong background in classical singing and was awarded a prestigious Trinity College Excellence Award in 1996. In 1998 her jazz trio reached the semi-finals of the highly-publicised television talent show 'Showcase' and in 1999 she recorded six tracks for New Zealand's National Radio jazz programme.

Since moving to the UK, Andrea has performed with various musical line-ups at London's 606 Club, Pizza on the Park, the Spice of Life, the Bulls Head, the Coach and Horses and the 2006 Jazz Futures Festival.