San Francisco's grande dame of song, is one of the most respected singers and vocal coaches on the scene today. Her beautiful tone and sensitive lyric interpretation grace jazz and cabaret music.
She began singing professionally in Boston in 1953, then launched her West Coast career as a singer-in-residence at the legendary hungry i, performing with such luminaries as Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Jonathan Winters and Woody Allen.
While keeping San Francisco as her home, she appeared at the foremost jazz and cabaret clubs, such as the fabled London House and Mr. Kelly's in Chicago, and the Blue Angel and Village Vanguard in New York.
Winthrop called an intermission to her skyrocketing career to marry and settle in San Francisco, to raise her family, and to begin her teaching career. She became a faculty member of the music department at Mills College and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she teaches vocal jazz and musical theater performance. At her private studio, she has coached many noted singers including Ben Vereen, Al Jarreau and Holly Near. A successful singer in her own right, Faith continues to spend much of her time nurturing other vocalists such as Paula West, Lavay Smith, Jacqui Naylor and most recently, Keanu Reeves.
Ten years ago, Faith revived her singing career, evoking raves from audiences and critics alike. Jesse Hamlin of the SF Chronicle observes, "She slips naturally into the groove with a behind-the-beat phrasing that calls to mind Sylvia Sims, Anita O'Day, and their inspiration, Billie Holiday." Phill Elwood of the SF Examiner describes her voice as "remarkably sensitive, a rich contralto, sure-pitched which she handles carefully on lyrics….Her style and manner are regal…she draws a listener into the song."
"It's All About Faith", her successful new autobiographical show-and-tell of songs and memories from her show biz career, recently opened at San Francisco's famed Plush Room. Elwood said, "Winthrop's performance is a wonderful and entertaining experience. She's a skilled and winning storyteller, her singing a sensuous and spine-tingling affair." Faith's current one-woman show is also available on CD and Video.
She performs at the Mable Mercer Foundation Cabaret Convention in San Francisco and returns to the Convention in New York in October at Town Hall where she has appeared over the past years.
Faith's lengthy list of talents includes songwriting, in which she uses humor to explore the human condition, including aging, healthcare and modern technology.
Her acclaimed CD, "Leap of Faith," is a collection of jazz standards, which continues to garner favorable reviews. Her most recent CD, "Havin' Myself a Time," has just been released.