Kristen Rossi: “Your Passion Will Lead You In The Right Direction.”

Describe yourself in 50 words or less.

Born in New York, built in Asia and reviving the golden age of jazz and musical theatre across the globe – for now, in Europe.

What are you currently working on?

Currently I am the singer at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Geneva. I contacted them with my portfolio and they brought me in as they were looking to give their bar more identity and create a warmer atmosphere.

My work at the Mandarin is a mix of pleasing the guests with what they know and also pushing the boundaries with classics/ musical numbers that maybe a little more unfamiliar but are just as wonderful.

I am also working on fusion, to revive older songs but make them appeal to a younger audience.
When I was in Hong Kong in the autumn I started fusing classics like Sinatra’s, “A Very Good Year” with Asian rhythms. I will do more of this when I return to Hong Kong and my band in July.

What led you to this?

I was born in New York. The musicals of Broadway have always been part of my life and the same goes for songs sung by Sinatra, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, they were just part of my popular culture.
When I lived in Asia I would go out and listen singers but it was always current pop music, I missed hearing the classics. There was a hole in the market so I decided to fill the hole.

I have found this is the same in Europe. Most hotels have singers/musicians covering RnB or Top 40s, there is a hole for the classics, for vintage. What brought me to Europe was that I had been working many years in Asia and needed a change so I thought it was time to give Europe a go.

What’s driving you?

First my love of the music. The smile that I feel when the intro starts to a song that I love to sing.
Also the people. When I see guests get up to dance to what I am singing or from a distance I hear them go, “huh, I love this song”.

Then, after a few weeks at a new hotel/venue and I start seeing the guests returning. Those moments keep me going, especially on the quieter nights.

Describe your typical day from waking up to going to bed.

I work at night so my day is everyone else’s evening. I wake up, I answer my emails, go to the gym, work on my very bad French :), prepare my set lists and any new songs for the evening, run a few errands, etc.

At 5pm I make sure I am back in my hotel room and I start getting ready for work. 7pm I am ‘on’.
I have a break at 8:15pm where I usually do a bit more personal work or talk with guests and then I sing again until 11:45pm.

7 years from now: Where do you see yourself?

That is a good question. I’ll still be singing, that is all I know for sure.

Tell us about your best idea and worst execution.

Best idea… something completely unrelated to singing. A bi-lingual pocket travel guide.

What trends would you bet your money on? And how will they influence everyday life?

I would bet my money that we will continue to see revivals of the classics in popular music. I would also bet that so many people still won’t know the riff/lyric line of their latest, favorite hip-hop or Bollywood song is from an old jazz standard.

What seemed to be the most important thing in the world to you when you were 10 years old?

Music. When I was 5 years old I wanted to be a singer, when I was 10 years old I wanted to be a singer when I was 18 I wanted to be a singer. That’s it. I have always wanted to share my expression of song.

Who is your hero and why?

My hero is Madonna. She has spanned decades, continually comes up with fresh ideas/music/images and keeps the world wanting more. She is growth, she never stops.

What advice would you give first time entrepreneurs?

If you have a passion focus on it, believe in yourself and go forward.

You must be flexible and listen along the way but if you stay true to your passion it will lead you in the right direction and people will catch on.

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