Lance Hayward Singers

Pianist Lance Hayward formed The Lance Hayward Singers in 1984. In his early years growing up in Bermuda, Lance developed a career as a jazz pianist as well as an arranger for American Air Force bands there. He quickly became the most sought-after pianist on the island, and was frequently called to play for important visiting singers such as Carmen McRae, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan and even Marvin Gaye. He also formed an all-male chorus, the Mu--En Chorale, that performed regularly for more than 20 years, and became his vehicle for a prolific amount of interesting choral arrangements.

Fifteen years after moving to New York and working steadily as a solo jazz pianist, Lance formed The Lance Hayward Singers (the name was chosen by the group, not by the Director!), and was the group's sole arranger. The energy, vitality and beauty of the musical writing has kept the group together even since Lance's death in 1991, at which time the ensemble decided to continue singing under the direction of Claudia Marx. The repertoire performed by the group has continued to grow and evolve over the years.

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