She is that certain age. The 1960’s, an era full of questions and upheaval, formed her. Unconditional love, almost unbearable loss, then the rebound into a renewal of questions and possible answers made her the woman she is today: a woman who has achieved so much artistically and who, even now, some 44 years after she first “hit the stage”, is still a source of fascination – and understandably so.

Helen Schneider, the legendary American singer, musical star, actress, jazz lady and “Diva” award-winner is a veritable tour de force, time after time, whether singing or acting; or, one might better say, a musical chameleon, since this artist, born and bred in Brooklyn, not only has astonishing vocal possibilities but is constantly transforming herself.

After the release of the albums “So Close” (1976) and “Let It Be Now” (1977) and extensive tours in the USA, she arrived in Germany in 1978 to launch her first European tour. She played to an enthusiastic public that immediately took a shine to this lady from the States. She stayed and the countless productions that followed prompted not only empathy among her fans but also great acclaim from colleagues and journalists for her astounding artistic diversity. Recordings in all genres followed along with an invitation in 1982 to be the first international artist ever to perform in the “Palast der Republik” [East German Parliament].

From 1984 to1986 Helen Schneider took a break from her musical career, opting instead to take acting lessons in New York City. Back on German soil she began her acting career as Sally Bowles alongside Hildegard Knef and Wolfgang Reichmann in a production of Cabaret at the Theater des Westens in Berlin. Numerous other engagements followed with roles such as Frida Kahlo (in The Story of Frida Kahlo), Norma Desmond (in Sunset Boulevard), Eva Péron (in Evita), Anne Sexton (in Transformations), Anna (in Seven Deadly Sins), Mrs. Robinson (in The Graduate), Victor/Victoria (in Victor/Victoria) and Judy Garland (in End of the Rainbow). In this métier also she was persistently thrilling and in 1986 she received the DIVA Award for her outstanding achievements in German entertainment.

Throughout all these years, she has managed always to harmonize her musical qualities and her acting skills in ways that keep the public enthralled. In addition to musical engagements, she still regularly releases recordings, some of which are influenced by the Brecht/Weil duo while others are dedicated to the Great American Songbook, or the delights of Bert Kaempert’s material.

With her latest release, “Collective Memory” (release date 25.09.15 on SPV) Helen Schneider once again presents — for the first time in thirty years — an original album. Songs which are inspired by her, with text written with her and for her by her long-standing friend and colleague Linda Uruburu and which reflect 40 years of shared memories. The melodies have been composed by guitarist Jo Ambros, with whom Schneider has shared a diverse range of stages over the last 12 years.

These are songs for adults and evoke the rhythmic and ambient influence of 1960’s and 70’s folk, pop and rock.

“Collective Memory” is a very special project released at a very special time in Helen Schneider’s life: 12 songs that speak from the depths of her soul.