Results for "Vocals"

Alex Bird

Born: September 18, 1990

Over the last few years, ALEX BIRD has become one of the most exciting names on the Canadian Jazz scene. With praise from around the globe, and alongside songwriting & piano partner EWEN FARNCOMBE, Bird has created timeless and heartfelt originals for a modern audience. Over the last few years, this talented team has produced something that is completely unique; three original & independent albums in three years. Their sophomore album You Are the Light and the Way, backed by their Jazz Mavericks, was nominated for “Best Vocal Jazz” at the 2022 JUNO Awards.

Bird and Farncombe’s latest album, a duo record, dropped as a surprise of 11 originals entitled, Songwriter. Kira Grunenberg at DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE wrote, “Impassioned messages sung and played from one’s heart but worn on a well-dressed sleeve. Songwriter is an elegant, romantic, and well-executed gem of a record.”

Gretje Angell

Born: July 25

Jazz vocalist Gretje Angell grew up in smoky, dimly-lit clubs as a little-girl roadie for her jazz-drummer father. Her grandfather was also a jazz drummer, so you could say Gretje was born to swing. “If it doesn’t groove then I don’t give it a sh*#,” the Los Angeles-based singer says with a good chuckle. Gretje ascended the bandstand on her own time. She worked through a heavy dose of stage fright, welcomed motherhood, and studied classical and opera prior launching her jazz career. Today, she announces her debut, "…in any key", a classic jazz vocal album—the kind of long player you put on while savoring wine and cooking and cleaning

Nancy Goudinaki

496 West

Since debuting in 2008, the band "496 West" has opened for some unforgettable and inspirational artists including the legendary Kirk Whalum, soulful balladeer Phil Perry, jazz stalwarts Nick Colionne, Grammy-nominated Gerald Albright, saxman Euge Groove, smooth jazz guitarist Tim Bowman and international Grammy-nominated keyboardist, Bob Baldwin, the electrifying saxophonist Eric Darius and jazz guitarist/entertainer Nick Colionne. On Valentine's Day, they had a ball opening for Larry Braggs, former lead vocalist for Tower of Power. Performing their brand of contemporary smooth jazz, R&B, soul, a sprinkling of the blues, and gospel jazz, 496 West provides instrumental performances with a variety of combos including–music for relaxing, music for listening, and party music–from slow to jam.

Kirsi-Marja Harju

Born: January 27, 1993

Kirsi-Marja “Kiki” Harju (1993) is a Finnish trumpet player, singer, bandleader and composer based in Amsterdam. “I didn’t choose the trumpet, the trumpet chose me,” she recalls. “I wanted to play everything else, particularly violin, but as a kid I made mistakes in the music school exam, I was so nervous.” She was put into the wind department, given a pocket trumpet and soon found she could play beautiful melodies. She also sang. “My friends said I was too loud but I loved it. I was in choirs and vocal groups at school. Later I heard Chet Baker and realised I could combine the two.”

She has studied music both in Finland and in The Netherlands, and lastly she graduated from the jazz department of Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2019

John and Kelly Fumo with Fumosonic

Active since: November, 1989

Fumosonic is the culmination of 20+ years of marriage and collaboration between John and Kelly Fumo. The vision of these two musician/composers from Los Angeles, CA is a transformative musical experience that draws upon John’s jazz influences and Kelly’s love of music. The pair met while doing a recording session for singer Delaney Bramlett and had an instant connection. Their journey began with the first song they created called “Shut Up and Go Home!”, which showcases the unique formula of a heavy beat, Kelly’s strong vocals and some free jazz improvisation by John. John’s trumpet playing may be heavily influenced by Miles Davis and the free expressions of jazz music, but he has worked as a side man with the likes of Neil Diamond, James Brown, Beck and Brian Setzer

Miss French

Born: February 13, 1958

Of European decent, Julie Foai (aka Miss French), was born in New Zealand to a musical family who fortunately decided to quit the rat race and move to Laingholm, a place with beaches, bush and lots of space in the Waitakere ranges. Here she would immerse herself in the magical world of native New Zealand bush, a world of day dreams and adventures. 

Her father, a jazz enthusiast, was not only a player of many instruments including trumpet and double bass, but he built instruments. Performing with the family at 10 years of age and later in Auckland bands, influenced by Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Billy Holiday and Joan Armatrading, she began writing songs from her own unique perspective. 

Vision Ahead

By Jonathan Barber

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2018
Track listing: Statement Of Vision; Vision Ahead; Doubt; The Covenant; Think On These Things; Carry On; Airport; Crown; Gone Away; Mr. JB; Time Will Tell; Believing In The Reunion.

Bob Roden

Bob came from a family of musicians and became a full-time professional himself at age 20. He toured for over a decade, starting out in Holiday Inn lounges and working up to top showrooms such as Harrah’s in Reno/Tahoe and the Sahara in Las Vegas. Bob took a brief hiatus from professional music to have a career as a technology and entertainment lawyer, but is delighted to be back at it now. In 2011, as a member of the band “Sidro’s Armada,” Bob was inducted into the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also is an actor and writer; more at www.bobroden.com.

Randall "Big Daddy" Webster

Born: December 22

Randall "Big Daddy" Webster's Bluesography Growing up in Wheaton, Illinois (also home to Jim and John Belushi), he snuck into the Windy City’s most notorious Blues clubs. They soaked in the music of Muddy Waters, Otis Span, Junior Wells, Big Joe Turner, and other Blues legends holding school on stage. Webster would often jump the “L” (elevated train) to Maxwell Street where itinerant Bluesmen plied their trade on the corner. Webster’s first guitar, a Harmony Stratatone, came from Duke’s pawnshop north of the old market. He scavenged record bins for vintage vinyl from his new Blues heroes