Sibel Thrasher

Sibel was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised by her mother, grandmother and grandfather who were all ministers of the Baptist church. Their wonderful choir influenced the nine year old Sibel and her two little brothers to become “The Thrasher Singers”. Later in high school, Sibel began performing in R&B and jazz groups. Then, while in New York City, Sibel was asked to record with the New York City great recording artist Roy Ayers. Although she loved working in New York, in 1979 she was asked to join the world famous “Platters” on an international tour starting in Los Angeles. Part of that tour stopped in the Orient then on to Vancouver, Canada for one month in 1981, during which Sibel fell in love – with Vancouver. Eventually Sibel moved to Vancouver and continued pursuing a solo career. In 1984 she auditioned and won the perfect role in Fats Waller’s musical “Ain’t Misbehavin'” which turned out to be a smash hit. Scheduled to run for six weeks, this brilliant show ran two years! The national tour saw sold out houses right across Canada. Nominated for Best Performer in several theatrical productions, she was voted Performer of The Year by the Vancouver Sun writer Alex McGillivary. Sibel was also nominated for Best Gospel Singer of The Year in 1994. Sibel has recorded with popular recording artists such a s Long John Baldry, Donna Summers and Etta James. She is greatly influenced by the great jazz sounds of Sarah Vaughan, the smooth sexy singing of Dinah Washington and Brook Benton, the dynamic sounds of Ella Fitzgerald and, of course, the strong but inspirational sounds of Billie Holiday.