For Vocalists

Dena DeRose is a tremendous pianist, vocalist, composer, and educator. Dena learned voice somewhat accidentally: as a student at Binghamton University, she practiced and played piano so rigorously that she was forced to abandon the instrument for two years, during which time she turned to singing instead. By the time she was able to play piano again, singing was an integral part of her musical identity, and when she moved to New York in 1991, her unique vocal style combined with her pianistic musicality made her a success.

An impressive jazz pianist and vocalist who is also an esteemed academician, Dr. Cooper has had a lengthy and fruitful career as both a performer and an educator. She has performed with such musicians as Eddie Harris, Red Holloway, David “Fathead” Newman, Jimmy Witherspoon, and others. She is widely regarded for her sensitive accompaniment for vocalists like Meredith D'Ambrosio, Giacomo Gates, and Gloria Lynne. She earned her doctorate in music and education from Columbia University’s Teachers College in 1992.

Known for her superior renditions of ballads, Irene Kral was one of the top cabaret-jazz singers of the 1970s. Her style was in part influenced by, and often compared to, her close friend Carmen McRae. Her rendition of the standard Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most is considered to be the definitive recording.

Janis Siegel is best known for her work in the prolific and successful jazz vocal group Manhattan Transfer, but has also had a strong solo career. During Janis’s tenure, Manhattan Transfer has earned 10 Grammy awards and in 2003 was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Janis won a Grammy herself for her arrangement for her 1980 arrangement of Birdland.

Acclaimed jazz vocalist, lyricist, and composer Judy Niemack is a leader in voice, improvisation, and pedagogy. She began her jazz studies with tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh as his first vocal student, which greatly influenced her scat style. Her debut album came in 1977, the same year she moved to New York. Since then, she has worked with a who’s who of jazz, like Fred Hersh, Kenny Werner, Kenny Barron, James Moody, Cedar Walton, Jim McNeely, Lee Konitz, Clark Terry, Joe Lovano, Billy Higgins, and her husband, Jeanfrancois Prins.

Multidimensional artist Meredith d’Ambrosio is often heralded as a modern renaissance woman. Although she is best known as a jazz vocalist, Meredith is also a successful composer, pianist, lyricist, and painter. Critics describe her vocal style as soft-toned, pure, interpretive, and warm, in a tradition that follows Blossom Dearie and precedes Diana Krall. Raised in a musical family, Meredith studied painting and music from an early age. She was invited to open for John Coltrane in 1966 but turned him down. It was not until nearly a decade later that she made her recording debut with her husband, Eddie Higgins.

Nancy Valentine is a versatile jazz vocalist based in New York. She recently released her debut CD, “Lovesome,” which explores the music of Billy Strayhorn. She was exposed to jazz at an early age and initially took up the trumpet. Nancy additionally pursued acting and studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, but was inspired by the music of Chet Baker to return to music. She currently works with pianist John di Martino singing at local establishments in New York. Several of her superb vocal interpretations are on jazzleadsheets.com.

Rachel Gould, born in Camden, New Jersey, has a deeply personal style and a rich, low voice that are instantly recognizable. A graduate of Boston University for cello and classical voice, Gould began singing professionally in the 1970s in the United States. However, it was not long before she left for Europe, living in Germany and Switzerland before settling in Holland in 1991. She has worked and performed with many jazz musicians of acclaim, including Woody Herman, Chet Baker, Benny Bailey and Lou Blackburn, to name a few. Her phrasing and vocal technique are known and admired worldwide by many vocalists and she is well-known as a vocal teacher, especially in Europe.

Rachel Bronstein is a budding vocalist, pianist, and composer based in Manhattan. Since moving to New York, she has studied vocal jazz and improvisation with Christine Correa, led the vocals for the Columbia University Latin American ensemble, workshopped new pieces with the jazz composers of Second Floor Music, and premiered an award-winning contemporary classical piece. She has appeared on several scores for short films. She premiered her improvised vocal/piano work The Narrows in spring 2013. She currently sings with the Columbia University Gospel Choir. Rachel was the vocal/web editor for jazzleadsheets.com and is now pursuing a career in web development.

Richard Allen was child actor on Broadway, working under the name Michael Allen. He starred in Peter Pan, The King & I, and many great Broadway shows. He also had a career in early television; first in the original, live production of Peter Pan, then commercials and soap operas, starring in the Guiding Light soap until his early 20s.

“Uncategorizable” vocalist and composer Theo Bleckmann is known for his unusual, often avant-garde work that encompasses jazz, contemporary classical, cabaret, and even performance art. The German born musician moved to New York in 1989. By 1992, he was collaborating with Kirk Nurock on a series of duets (“Theo & Kirk”). In 1998, he recorded with Sheila Jordan on her album “Jazz Child.” His longstanding collaboration with guitarist Ben Monder has produced six albums, perhaps some of his most popular work. He worked with Meredith Monk as a core ensemble member for fifteen years.

Influenced at an early age by her collection of Duke Ellington and Fats Waller records, May has become one of the finest jazz vocalists and lyricists the U.K. has produced. After heading her own Back Door Theatre Company in the early ‘80s, she established herself as a chanteuse in Paris, forming her first quartet in 1989. She has released seven albums under the U.K. record label 33Jazz, becoming a featured soloist in distinguished jazz events and venues including the Duke Ellington mass, London jazz club, and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris. She frequently appears on BBC radio and television.

5-time Grammy Award Winner, Vince Cherico, is the drummer for featured artists in today's Jazz and World music venues. From 1995 - 2006 he was the drummer with Ray Barretto & The New World Spirit, later The Ray Barretto Sextet, and developed his reputation in Latin Jazz while touring the world, recording 6 CD's and 2 Grammy nominations for Contact & Time Was,Time Is. Modern Drummer describes Cherico as, "a drummer of fluidity, fire, and physical ease" who "plays with balanced dynamics and a commanding yet sensitive touch."