Results for "Vocalist"

Cynthia Rafaella

Born: August 14

With a warm, full voice and passionate overtones, Cynthia Rafaella's artistry and musical styling creates a tapestry of vibrant color and mood that’s sure to uplift the masses.

Cynthia Rafaella first made a name for herself performing alongside some of the most talented musicians on the New York jazz scene in the 1990’s. Cynthia Rafaella has performed with musicians such as Bill Lee, Rahn Burton, Arturo O’Farrill, Chip Crawford, James Weidman, Dennis Davis, Roy Hargrove, Justin Robinson, Miles Griffith, Winard Harper, Philip Harper, Stephen Scott, Dwayne Burno, and many others. Also, Cynthia Rafaella studied under talented jazz artists such as Andy Bey, Sheila Jordan, Norman Simmons, Ann Marie Moss, Daniel Carillo, Mike Holober, and Nancy Marano.

After enrolling in a jazz workshop at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in the early 1990's, Cynthia Rafaella found herself immersed in classic jazz standards and the Great American Songbook. She also attended the jazz workshops of legendary pianist Barry Harris. Her jazz education continued at the “University of the Streets” in the East Village where she attended a jazz singer’s workshop. She'd work on tunes with a trio and was mentored by a continuous stream of seasoned jazz veterans whom she would later perform with, including Juini Booth, Gil Coggins, Burt Eckoff, and Clifford Barbaro. Cynthia Rafaella also performed regularly at late-night jam sessions which provided her with opportunities to jam with some of the most talented musicians on the New York jazz scene at that time. These encounters eventually led to weekly performances at the famed Village Gate and a spot as a featured singer with The Harper Brothers Band during an engagement at Condon's in 1993.

Cynthia Rafaella also studied under the mentorship of Bill Lee, the acclaimed bassist and composer. One afternoon, singer Miles Griffith invited Cynthia Rafaella to accompany him to a rehearsal at Bill Lee's home. That rehearsal would be the first of many. From 1993 to 1995, she sang first soprano in Bill Lee's vocal group, “The Family Tree Singers”. She attended weekly group rehearsals, as well as some one-on-one music lessons with Bill Lee. The vocal group performed excerpts from his folk-jazz operas and other original compositions, with Bill Lee conducting from behind his bass. Bill Lee often referred to Cynthia Rafaella as his “head trumpeter” and he composed a ballad solo that highlighted her vocal range. Bill Lee was known for his work with Duke Ellington, Odetta, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, and many others. He also scored the soundtracks for some of the films of his son, Spike Lee.

Looking to further develop her musicianship, Cynthia Rafaella auditioned for Ron Carter “one of the most-recorded bassists in jazz history” and other faculty members of The City College of New York and was accepted into the B.F.A. Jazz Program. During this time, she was showcased at Birdland as an up-and-coming jazz vocalist. And in her senior year, while singing with The John Motley Chorus, she had the opportunity to perform with legendary drummer Max Roach and his quartet. 

Meagan Delima

Born: October 10, 1993

Meagan Delima is a 20-year-old Jazz and R&B artist who showcases expressive vocals, original guitar styling’s and dynamic stage presence. Her captivating voice characterizes a velvet tone, startling clarity and a unique phrasing where you can always hear her impeccable feel for the music. With her outstanding vocal stylings on timeless standards made famous by Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington to more modern and contemporary pieces by Justin Timberlake, Meagan is able to engage any crowd and get them on their feet to dance to the music. To this point, the highlights of Meagan’s career include performing on the main stage for the Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival in 2012 after Holly Cole, gaining the largest crowd at this festival two years in a row, performing on Dundas Squares stage for a event called Unity Charity and winning a trip from the 2013 Toronto Honey Jams Showcase to sing in the 2013 Honey Jams Barbados Showcase

Paula Johns

Ayako Kanda

Low as an echo in a tunnel, then light as a child's conversation; chasing the band one moment, and ringing out wild and alone the next: Ayako's vocal performances encompass a kaleidoscopic range of expression. Steeped in music from childhood, Ayako went from piano and solfege lessons in a junior conservatory-track program to performing in everything from choral societies to the euphonium section of her local youth brass band. In junior high school she joined the drama club, where she was active both behind the scenes as a scriptwriter and on stage in award-winning lead performances. By high school she was regularly performing with college clubs and troupes, and it was here that she discovered the possibility of live, on-stage improvisation. Confounding the expectations of friends and family, after graduation Ayako went to art school instead of attending a conservatory

Karen Tennison

Born: December 23, 1990

Karen Abigail Tennison is a born-and-raised Austin, Texas jazz vocalist living in the heart of Texas enjoying the life of a student and musician. Karen, like Anita O'Day, considers herself a "song stylist," meaning she uses her voice like an instrument, considering herself more of a jazz musician than a vocalist. Her sound is sweet, emotional, and will always leave you on the edge of your seat, wanting more. After the moment she bought her first Ella Fitzgerald CD at a used bookstore at the age of twelve, Karen has been hooked, finding herself always listening to jazz. Her passion only grew larger after attending The University of Northern Colorado for two years where she dove head first into the jazz scene, attending as many clinics, lectures, and performances that she could, and participating in the jazz choirs the university had to offer

Kay Grant

Kay Grant is a vocalist and free improviser whose work is informed by experience in a range of styles including jazz, opera, rock and pop. Considering the voice as an instrumental component rather than a privileged expressive vehicle, she uses her far reaching vocal range along with a wealth of stylistic elements, tones, colours and noises, playing with imagination, energy and sensitivity. STAGED Although born in Brooklyn, an early holiday to visit family in London left her determined to call it home, and she’s been a dedicated Londoner for half her life. Kay originally took to the stage at the age of six, singing musical theatre alongside her parents in local productions

Arthur Tisi

Born: February 1, 1972

Arthur has performed and sung with many top artists. In addition to his vocal capabilities, he plays, guitar, piano and drums.

Deanne Matley

Canadian vocalist Deanne Matley has many superpowers. Trained as a jazz vocalist, she brings a sensual style, a stunning emotional range, and a deep connection with her audience to everything she sings. She’s made a name for herself across Canada and beyond with her dynamic, knock ‘em dead performances with combos of all sizes and singles and albums ranging from standards to pop to Christmas favourites. Deanne, a flexible performer with an eclectic repertoire in English and French, has wowed audiences at clubs and festivals in Canada, France, and even Mongolia. She’s shared the stage with jazz greats including Larry Koonse, Bryan Lynch, Matt Catingub, Tommy Banks and Al Kay, has been featured in Downbeat magazine and is a featured artist on ICI Musique (CBC Quebec)

Samantha Carlson

Born: June 28, 1988

Samantha Carlson, born June 28, 1988, in Mineola, New York, has been singing since age 2. She graduated from Northern Kentucky University in May of 2011 with a Bachelors Degree in Vocal Performance. Music is her passion and her life. She sings the classic standards from the 1920s through today, as well as jazz, big band, show-tunes, country, oldies, classical, opera, and pop ... (English, Italian, Spanish, German, & French), but she identifies herself mainly as a jazz/standards singer. Raised in a musical family, both parents are vocalists and instrumentalists. Their influence was very strong. They always encouraged her passion for music, and to follow her dreams

Carol Manson

Even though she didn’t recognize it at first, everything in her life has prepared Carol Manson for song ministry. Starting off playing the violin in grammar school, she went on to sing in choirs at Berkeley High School. After high school Carol put away any thoughts of singing, getting a masters degree in social work and became a State Bureaucrat, capping off a long and distinguished career as a Governor’s appointee. Many years after first finding her voice as a singer and, after a health challenge, Carol found her voice again when singing a song as final project for a class. Carol finally let her voice soar when she joined the choir and began shining as a soloist