Results for "Jazz Vocal Improviser"

Chenxi Pan

Born: June 21

Chenxi Pan is a vocalist and composer whose work reflects a distinctive personal style and musical language, blending poetry, song, and contemporary instrumental music. Rooted in jazz, her music explores the voice as both a narrative and instrumental force, positioning her as an emerging and original voice within today’s jazz landscape.

Born and raised in China, Chenxi grew up influenced by a wide range of musical traditions. Her path shifted from literature to music during her early studies, eventually leading her to pursue jazz in New York City. Following her passion, she moved to NYC in 2021, where she worked closely with mentors including Sam Yahel and Sara Serpa, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music from The New School. During this time, she performed alongside musicians such as Steve Cardenas, Dave Glasser, Cyrus Chestnut, Armen Donelian, and Fred Hersch.

Chris McNulty

Born: December 23, 1953

Chris McNulty is an Australian born, American-Australian vocalist-composer. Born in Melbourne, Australia she travelled to NYC with her son in 1988 where she became a fixture on the New York jazz scene for almost three decades performing, recording and touring with many legendary American jazz musicians. Chris relocated back to Australia in late 2015.

McNulty’s emergence on the international jazz scene began around 1991 with the release of her critically acclaimed, Waltz for Debby (Discovery). Since then her recordings and performances have garnered outstanding reviews in publications including DownBeat, Jazz Times, The Irish Times, Jazz Wise, All About Jazz and The Australian, among others. Universal press and radio coverage brought further international touring opportunities leading to consistent appearances at festivals including the Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Dundee Jazz, Brecon Arts (UK); Kilkenny Arts (Ireland); Kharkiv Int. Jazz (Ukraine); Petrozavodsk Int. Jazz (Russia); Perth Int. Jazz, Wangaratta Jazz and Blues, Stonnington Jazz, Dunborough Jazz By the Bay and the Melbourne Int. Jazz (Australia)

Lisa Young AU

Born: September 21

Lisa Young is well known to World and Jazz Music listeners as a creative vocal stylist and improviser, incorporating Indian and African elements in her work. A longtime student of maestro Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani in Chennai, India, Lisa specializes in "Konnakol" - South Indian vocal percussion. She has studied South Indian music since 1994, both in Australia and in India. In 2010 she received the Monash-Pratt Post Graduate Award for her PhD Music Performance candidature at Monash University. Lisa Young Quartet's album "Grace" won the prestigious "Bell award" for "Best Australian Vocal Jazz Album" in 2007

Wendy Simon

Born: October 5

A Jazz singer is truly a unique combination of talents - the abilities to bend a melody, improvise on a harmony,and at the same time, keep a rhythmical sense that makes you want to pat your foot.  One such singer is Wendy Simon, originally a member of the recorded group, "52nd Street."  Their album on Inner City Records, "Scrapple To The Apple,"  earned them international recognition for their be-bop takes and advanced harmonic explorations.  ​Wendy Simon has re-invented herself in the modern Jazz world, creating and investigating newer sounds in Jazz, while still paying homage to the Jazz classics of yesterday.  Her adventurous, innovative and exciting approach is a sure crowd-pleaser.  Wendy Simon's musical background includes studies at Arcadia University, Chestnut Hill College and independent studies with musicians, Al Stauffer and Owen Brown, Jr.  Her search for musical excellence has given her an exciting new approach to stimulate Jazz audiences.   With a soon-to-be-released title, "Time Of Silver Rain," Wendy Simon stands poised to take her place among Jazz divas of the current Jazz scene - check her out!

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