Results for "Vocal improvisation"

Stephanie Borgani

Stephanie is a Brazilian-American vocalist, composer, and educator based in São Paulo whose music centers the use of the voice without words, both as a bandleader and sideperson. Her work has been described as "hovering between the lyrical and the instrumentally acrobatic"(Trabalho Sujo).

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They are inspired by musical languages such as Brazilian instrumental music, contemporary classical music, free improvisation, and jazz. Currently, she leads and writes for "Mímica", a chamber quartet of voices and saxophones set to release their debut album in 2026-27, and makes regular appearances as a bandleader, having released the EP "Choro Party Progression" with a sextet in 2021. Other collaborative projects past and present include "Respiro" (original music duo with Luis Chamis, with two EPs released), "Chululu" (vocal duo of Brazilian music re-compositions with Isabel Crespo Pardo), and collaborations with guitarists Mateus Martins and Pritesh Walia.

Alice Milburn

Alice Milburn is a UK-based jazz singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for her soulful voice and improvisational flair. Hailing from the South Coast of England, Alice has built a strong presence in the south’s jazz scene as a standout vocalist. She first discovered the genre in her teens and developed her skills at college before completing a master’s degree in jazz at Chichester Conservatoire, with a focus on vocal improvisation and scatting. Her experience working with The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) gave her opportunities to perform nationwide, fronting the big band as well as touring with ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ vocalist Tommy Blaize

Ineke Vandoorn

‘The adventurer among jazz singers’ (De Volkskrant). Dutch Grammy winner Ineke Vandoorn still lives up to this description. This time in an exciting duo with pianist and multiple award-winner Jasper van ‘t Hof. Both are known for their longstanding careers wherein they each developed their own inimitable styles. An unlikely but unique duo that offers a new perspective on the traditional ‘singer and pianist’ combination.

Together they surprise us with a delicate dance of an expressive voice, with seemingly unlimited potential and warmth, and ten virtuosic, sometimes ferocious, fingers. They deliver an original and varied repertoire that combines intricately intertwined melodies with an Indian raga, a Paul Simon song, and dazzling improvisations. Musical conversations that evoke artists as disparate as Betty Carter, Joni Mitchell, Norma Winstone and Flora Purim.

Ed Johnson

Born: February 6, 1950

Classical. Brazilian. R&B. Jazz. Afro-Cuban. Popular Rock and Roll. ED JOHNSON’s mastery of so many different styles, coupled with a passion for harmony vocal and horn arrangements, all factor into a magical blend of vibrant, original contemporary jazz that is winning fans and airplay worldwide.

As a vocalist, Ed Johnson is frequently compared to Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Kenny Rankin, and Michael Franks. As a guitarist and bandleader, critics often cite the lushly exotic, accessible sounds of Airto and Flora Purim. Ed has seven recording projects to his credit, in addition to producer’s credits for other singer/songwriters. View Ed’s electronic press kit.

Molly Skuse

Born: March 27, 1970

Molly Skuse graduated from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music where she studied Vocal Jazz Performance and was recognized for her vocal prowess by Down Beat magazine's student music awards. At the New School, Molly drew inspiration from many Jazz luminaries; She has studied with Sheila Jordan, Reggie Workman, Kenny Werner, Cecil Bridgewater  and the late Junior Mance, Chico Hamilton, and Jon Hendricks, to name a few. 

While living in New York City, in the ‘90s, Molly paid her dues gigging 3-5 nights a week in downtown clubs including the Village Gate, The Knitting Factory, Small's, and Nuyorican Poets café. Molly has given concerts of her own compositions, throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, with grant support from Meet the Composer and Brooklyn Arts council.