Results for "Vocalist"

Catherine Whitney

Born: May 24, 1954

Catherine Whitney is a Chicago based Jazz singer / composer/ lyricist published by Second Floor Music in NYC and also the lyricist for Freddie Hubbard's "First Light" and "Gibraltar" at Hubtones Publishing. "Catherine Whitney has a stylish way with a phrase and an engaging and unpretentious manner..she sings Bossa nova works with precisely the right rhythmic lilt, American pop tunes with a breezy and colloquial air, ballads with a sweet and vulnerable introspection." Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune Catherine Whitney sings in the vo'cool style. Suzanne Pittson, Jerry Brown, GloriaCooper, and Neenna Freelon have recorded/performed her work

Rachel Bade-McMurphy

Born: October 23, 1978

Rachel Bade-McMurphy is a vocalist, saxophonist, and composer who invites listeners into a world inhabited by individual experience. Her bold lyrical content uses varying perspectives and explores moods from hope and beauty to humor, irony and longing. Her styling combines a traditional vocal delivery with the rhythmic and harmonic turbulence of instrumental jazz music fringed with elements of popular genres. Influenced by such instrumental artists as John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, Andrew Hill, and Woody Shaw to name a few as well as vocal artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Carmen McRae, Abbey Lincoln, Billie Holiday, and Nancy Wilson (among others), her style is progressive and unique with a strong melodic character

Celia Cruz

Born: October 21, 1925

Beloved as the undisputed Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz had a remarkable six-decade career, with more than 70 records, two Grammy awards, and three Latin Grammys, among numerous other accolades, to her credit.  Cruz, who sang only in her native Spanish language,also received a Smithsonian Lifetime Achievement award, and a National Medal of the Arts for her contributions to Latin music and culture. Celia Cruz began singing in amateur contests at the age of 14, in her home city of Havana, Cuba. She studied music theory, piano and voice at the National Music Conservatory. In 1950 she began singing with the conjunto Sonora Matancera, and with that group she was a central figure in some of the most glorious chapters of Afrocuban music, recording a number of legendary songs, including "Yembe Laroco," "Yerbero Moderno," "Burundanga," and "Caramelo." By the end of the '50s the Sonora Matancera was the most popular group in Cuba

Edwin Hawkins

Born: August 18, 1943

A trailblazing force behind the evolution of the contemporary Gospel sound, Edwin Hawkins remains best known for his 1969 classic "Oh Happy Day," one of the biggest gospel hits of all time and a major pop radio smash as well. Born in Oakland, CA in 1943, he began singing in his church youth choir while still a toddler, and by age five was playing piano; just two years later, he assumed full-time piano accompaniment duties for the family gospel group, making their recorded debut in 1957. A decade later, Edwin Hawkins and Betty Watson co-founded the Northern California State Youth Choir, drawing on the finest soloists from throughout the Bay Area to build the 50-member ensemble, which soon entered the studio to cut the 1968 LP Let Us Go into the House of the Lord, its modern, R&B -influenced production pointing the way to a new era in gospel recording. Among the highlights of Let Us Go into the House of the Lord was the track "Oh Happy Day," which unexpectedly found a home on underground FM playlists across San Francisco; the single soon began earning airplay on mainstream R&B and pop outlets across the country, and in the spring of 1969 it reached the U.S

Dwight & Nicole

Highly acclaimed underground soul/blues duo Dwight & Nicole (Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson) have been charming music fans and critics for years with their profound blend of American music. Equal parts 60’s soul, 40’s jazz, and Delta blues, Dwight & Nicole provide a brand new classic sound that is the embodiment of popular American music. Performing often as a duo, Dwight & Nicole have the ability to bring a very big presence to any stage. Ritcher, a multi-instrumentalist, tastefully plays a Gibson Flying V guitar at most shows, running bass lines and finger-picking. When the mood strikes he plays crushing solos, reminiscent of Albert King in their grit and strength

Lenny Sharman

Born: 12

In a genre laden world Firefly Soul has been able to create original songs that fuse heartfelt and memorable melodies with lyrics that tap into the universal consciousness. While most of today’s music is fast becoming disposable consumer items Firefly soul retains the integrity of fine crafted songs that you will want to listen again and again Firefly Soul has been able to create this impressive soundscape of music by melding Music technologies with natural instrumentation with collaborations from other like minded and talented musicians The fusion of vocals and captivating orchestration with that Smokey club bass, guitar, and harmony’s is the essence to create that sometimes mystical and yet soulful smooth groove that is Firefly Soul

Argelis

Argelis began her music studies in Panama City, Panama where she graduated with a degree in guitar performance from the National Conservatory of Music and a bachelor of arts in music from the University of Panama. She was then awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study in the United States. After receiving a master's degree in music from the University of Oregon Argelis returned to Panama, teaching guitar and harp performance at the National Conservatory and music appreciation at the University of Panama. She has performed as a soloist guitar player and singer as well as with flutists, violinists, pianists, and singers in the United States and Central America

Megan Birdsall

Born: April 24, 1983

About Megan At home on stage and in the spotlight from a very young age with an innate love and talent for music and singing, Megan began performing as a dancer, and the world of dance brought her first taste of national recognition. Her experience with commercials starting at the age of 7; her first movie, “My Antonia”, at age 14; and her ongoing dance training set the stage for a rich repertoire of leading roles . Upon graduation she was one of three winners of the National Shakespeare Competition in New York City. She was also the recipient of a very selective national scholarship in the category of vocal jazz through the National Association for the Foundation of Arts. She attended The Boston Conservatory, a sister school to The Berklee College of Music, for two years with a triple major in dance, theatre and voice

TAEKO

Japanese native, TAEKO moved to New York City from Shiga, Japan in the late 90’s and quickly garnered the nickname “Songbird” from the NYC Jazz elite. With a stunning four octave range, she sings with “deep soulfulness reminiscent of Anita Baker with sophisticated scatting a la Ella” as Jazz critics describe. With a never ending stream of musical ideas and a fluid delivery that shows years of dedication in studying her craft, little is left to doubt how TAEKO has built a dedicated fan base in both the U.S. and overseas. Growing up in Japan, she was inspired early on by the traditional Japanese music her father and grandfather sang, and has been singing as long as she can remember

Shaun Barrowes

Shaun Barrowes is a talented musician, vocalist, and songwriter that has recently established himself as an international artist. Shaun has previously released two albums that have sold thousands of copies and is currently releasing his third and most ambitious album, Big Bang Theory. Shaun’s new album has been called a “sophisticated blend of jazz-pop, balladry, and big-band theatrics.” Shaun grew up in a musical family and began performing at 3. Shaun took to the piano at 6, began writing his own songs at 15, and produced and recorded his first record at 16, selling hundreds of copies to his neighbors, family, and high school friends. Since then, Shaun has established himself as a versatile musician, songwriter, and performer, playing lead piano and arranging his records’ far-flung musical parts