Roseanna Vitro

Having toured the world as an esteemed performer, clinician, recording artist, vocal instructor and ambassador, she has proven herself a reigning member of the jazz community. Her collaborations, covering a wide range of music and stylistic directions, have been cited and celebrated, far and wide.

Roseanna is a soulful communicator, showcasing a thirst for swinging hard and possessing an ear for melodic invention. Her strengths include rhythmic acuity and free-spirited spontaneity, often heard in her improvisations, using both scat syllables and lyrics.

Ms. Vitro’s signature energy and grace can be heard on a host of recordings, notable among them, her breakout recording on Telarc (Passion Dance), which featured Elvin Jones, Christian McBride and longtime musical partner, Kenny Werner, and compelling tributes to Ray Charles (Catchin’ Some Rays), Bill Evans (Conviction), and Brazil (Tropical Postcards), The Delirium Blues Project: Serve or Suffer on Half Note Records, 2008- is a live, blues-based recording of jazz and pop repertoire featuring Kenny Werner’s arrangements and an all-star band of Kenny Werner, James Carter, Randy Brecker, Ray Anderson, Adam Rogers, John Patitucci, Rocky Bryant, Geoff Countryman. In 2010, Roseanna formed the RNP Band (Randy Newman Project Group) with Mark Soskin, piano and arranging, Sara Caswell, Violin, Dean Johnson, Bass and Tim Horner drums. After many hours of research and rehearsals, “The Music of Randy Newman” was released by Motema Music. In 2011, “The Music of Randy Newman” was nominated for best vocal jazz album. In 2012, Roseanna Vitro and Mark Soskin turned their attention in a new direction to the late, great Clare Fisher’s songbook. A musician’s musician, Clare is renown for his harmonic and melodic depth. Clarity, The Music of Clare Fischer is slated for release on Random Act Records on September 30th, 2014. Six new songs brought to life with lyrics by Paul Wickliffe (Roseanna’s husband and recording engineer), Roger Schore and Cheryl Pyle.

Her band mates – on stage and in the studio – have included Kenny Werner, Fred Hersch, George Coleman, ‘Fathead Newman,’ Eddie Gomez, Arnett Cobb, Elvin Jones, Kenny Barron, Joe Lovano, Christian McBride, Eddie Daniels, Joey Baron, Al Foster, Rufus Reid, Buster Williams, Ben Riley, Allen Farnham, Dean Johnson, Tim Horner, Mark Soskin, Sara Caswell, Randy Brecker, Ray Anderson, Adam Rogers, John Patitucci, Mino Cinelu.

Having served as an official Jazz Ambassador, sponsored in 2009 by Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U.S. State Department and in 2004 by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the U.S. State Department, she has presented concerts and workshops around the world. Her celebrated performance in the Jazzaar 2010 – The Aargau Youth Pops Orchestra playing The Great American Songbook, (arranged by Bob Freedman – and Kevin Field conductor in Aarau, Switzerland will be aired on Swiss PBS Concert Series in 2011. The Maribor Philharmonic in Slovenia was a televised Christmas ‘Special’ in Eastern Europe in 2001 . Her studies of Indian vocal technique are documented in an article, “From Bebop To Bombay,” heralded by the International Association For Jazz Education Magazine.

Vitro sings with flawless intonation, pitch-perfect flowing lines and the ability to make the meaning of a song’s lyrics resonate. She exudes plenty of soul and exuberant delight in the storytelling elements of every song she sings. —Owen McNally, Hartford Courant 2013

“Roseanna’s voice is better than ever, more personal, more HER like no one else can be. She’s mostly singing songs we haven’t heard before, but all of Fischer’s breezy songs immediately sound so tunefully familiar. All the playing is lovely, and Sara Caswell’s little counterpoints are the secret weapon. CLARITY is all very enjoyable, enough that one wants to listen to it all again." —Michael Bourne, DJ. WBGO Singers Unlimited, Journalist Downbeat

“Roseanna’s brilliance as a singer, arranger and conceptualist shines through on Clarity, as does her collaboration with the equally brilliant violinist Sara Caswell… a partnership that first blossomed on her excellent Grammy nominated Randy Newman tribute of 2011.” —Jana Herzen, Recording Artist and CEO Motema Music

The Music of Randy Newman

Roseanna Vitro's silky smooth mezzo voice shines in every song on The Music of Randy Newman. From her sultry low end to her belting high notes, her delivery is right on time. Even more impressive, her 'scat' vocalizing is as perfect as any instrumental solo on the album, such as the piano and violin work on “Last Night I Had a Dream.” She's a great jazz singer who brings a lot of heart to her craft.

The Delirium Blues Project

"With her silken yet powerful pipes, Vitro ignites titles such as “Half Moon,“ Jon Hendrick's “ Blue” and Mose Allison's “Everybody's Cryin' Mercy” ...(with) Vitro's scorched- earth readings...(these) rise to the level of widescreen classics." —Ken Micallef, Downbeat (2008)

“Live at the Kennedy Center” top Jazz Albums of 2006." —Herb Wong, IAJE Journal (2007)

“Vitro is a real Jazz singer in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald. She understands the tradition of “scat', (her scat-improvisation reminds me of Clark Terry and Leon Thomas). But she never looses sight of the sense and content of her songs." —Stephen Richter, Fono Forum (2006)

“This Washington performance is full of vitality and risk, yet avoids falling into the trap of jumping through hoops. With the pianist Kenny Werner leading a thoroughbred trio, the high point is a searching version of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today." Vitro isn't the first jazz singer to be tempted by it, but this is the definitive version." —Clive Davis, The Times of London (2006)

“Highly respected vocalist/educator Roseanna Vitro's art equates to untainted class. With jazz piano great Kenny Werner and a crack rhythm section blazing forth, Ms Vitro's impeccable diction, depth and sensitivity strikes a distinct chord here.” —Glen Astarita, All About Jazz (2006)

“Vitro's voice is an extraordinarily versatile instrument. Her rendering of Randy Newman's touching "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," for example, displayed a dark, honeyed sound, simmering with just enough edge to emphasize the song's enigmatic lyrics.” ——Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times (2007)

Show less

Primary Instrument

Voice / vocals

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Phone 732-271-5979 skyline productions

Vocal Chair for the Vocal Jazz Program at New Jersey City University (1998 to present)

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (2001 -2013)

Clinic/Workshop Information

Primary Instrument

Voice / vocals

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Phone 732-271-5979 skyline productions

Vocal Chair for the Vocal Jazz Program at New Jersey City University (1998 to present)

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (2001 -2013)

Clinic/Workshop Information

Vocal Clinics/Masterclasses Para Phrasing- The Art of Improvising with lyrics Jazz and Singing - An overview of the history of vocal jazz as it relates to American History and politics. The personalities and their art. The Business of Music The world has changed significantly in the past five years. Learn how to produce your cd., promote your music and how to stay positive. Vocal Jazz Clinics In Tune And On Time: The Art of Vocal Jazz - A vocal workshop emphasizing the defining elements of jazz singing, Jazz: Yesterday And Today - A one-hour dvd overview on the history of jazz, including highlights from Ken Burns celebrated multi-part PBS series. Vocalists Are From Venus, Instrumentalists Are From Mars: Skills in Communication – A workshop detailing the keys for successful interplay among singers and bandmates. Making a Recording - Roseanna Vitro has recorded eleven critically acclaimed cd.'s. She will guide your students through: a.choosing material b. your band c. organizing rehearsals and your session d. saving money and making a great product Performances and Programs (Duos, Small Groups, Big Bands, Orchestras) Conviction: Thoughts of Bill Evans; A Program featuring Bill Evans material. Sarah, Carmen, Ella, Joe - Ms. Vitro essays and interprets the greatest works associated with legendary jazz vocalists, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, and Joe Williams. Catchin’ Rays: The Music of Ray Charles – A spirited evening of soulful stylings, drawn from Ms. Vitro’s classic Telarc recording, with charts from Kenny Werner, featuring such classics as “One Mint Julep,” “Unchain My Heart,” “Lonely Avenue,” and more. New Jazz Standards – Ms. Vitro illuminates the great American songs and songwriters from our most recent past. Compositions by Tom Harrell, McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Horace Silver, and Cedar Walton. Delirium Blues – Ms. Vitro extols and examines the blues, from rustic to refined, Tower of Power to Joni Mitchell and Mose Allison. Four horns, a guitar and rhythm section a must for this show! Tropical Postcards– The music of Brazil, its rhythms, its buoyancy, melodies and lyrics of Antono Carlos Jobim, Dori Caymi, Ivan Lins, and Milton Nascimento. The Art of The Big Band – Ms Vitro joins forces with your big band, swinging through an evening of great arrangements by Kenny Werner, including “Whisper Not,” “Freedom Jazz Dance,” “In a Sentimental Mood,” and “Passion Dance,” among others. Orchestral Grandeur – A program rich in Americana, “Blue Skies,” “Old Devil Moon,” “Dreamsville,” plus the Brazilian majesty of Milton Nascimento’s “Cancao Do Sal” and Joni Mitchell’s “The Circle Game”. This program was a televised Christmas special in Slovenia in 2001.

Show less