Annette
Artani, a native Greek-American New Yorker, has performed musically and
dramatically, since she was seven years old. Named after her mother's
mom, Anneta, she chose to use her other grandmother's first name in her
stage name, Artani, as a dedication to them for guiding and inspiring
her during their lives, and after their deaths. Over the years, Annette
incorporated influences of singing in her college Gospel choir, as well
as listening to R&B, pop and rock music. She has also begun to experiment
with some of her Greek roots, musically, and is now studying the dumbek,
a middle-Eastern percussion instrument, as well as the sensual art of
belly dancing.
Annette has also performed in theatrical productions in New York and
Greece, often in lead or supporting roles because of her big, belting
voice. She first sang as an opening act for Mando , a Greek pop star,
and has been featured in her own summer concert in 1995, in Kefalonia,
Around that same time, she and her sister formed a rock band named Nootropia,
singing in Greek. Unfortunately, Nootropia 's band mates severed ties
based on artistic differences after two years.
As word got around about Annette's powerful voice, she was called to
audition for Britney Spears , who was appearing on the Rosie O'Donnel
show , as a background singer. Within a few days, she performed with
the teen idol, and was asked to tour with her for the next year all
over the country, and the world.
Annette's role as background singer was not the norm. She was asked
to dance and sing center stage with Britney and the other background
singer in concert, and on the biggest TV shows in the world, such as
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno , and 'Britney, Live in Las Vegas' (HBO),
During time spent hanging around with Britney at her Hollywood home,
they also wrote some songs together. Their ballad " Everytime ",
was included on Britney's In The Zone CD , and skyrocketed to number
one all over the charts. " Everytime " recently received and
MTV European Music Award for Best Song of 2004.
Coming off this tour, Annette plans to pursue her recording and acting
career vigorously. She has degrees in music, grew up studying dance
and piano, and has also majored in Media and the Dramatic Arts. Her
music has truly embodied all of her influences, and she has been described
as the next new 'art pop' artist about to hit it big. And even though
there is such a mesh of all these influences, it still sounds like none
of these artists at all. Annette Artani is truly unique. Keep an eye
out for her!