Born in Vancouver and raised in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Ingrid Jensen has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpeters of her generation. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 1989, she went on to record three highly acclaimed CDs for the ENJA record label, soon becoming one of the most in-demand trumpet players on the global jazz scene.

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After a teaching stint in Europe in her early twenties – as the youngest professor in the history of the Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, Austria – Ingrid settled in New York City in the mid-1990s where she joined the innovative jazz orchestras of Maria Schneider (1994-2012) and Darcy James Argue (2002-present). More recently, Ingrid has performed with the Grammy-winning Terri-Lyne Carrington and her Mosaic Project, Helen Sung’s Sung with Words project and the highly acclaimed all-star ensemble, Artemis.

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Ingrid is a featured soloist on the Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra’s Juno-award-winning album, Treelines (2011), and its successor, Habitat (2013). She has performed with a multi-generational cast of jazz legends ranging from Clark Terry to Esperanza Spalding; Ingrid has also performed alongside British R&B artist Corrine Bailey Rae on Saturday Night Live, and recorded with Canadian pop icon Sarah McLachlan. In addition to her busy sideman and featured soloist schedule, Jensen leads her own quintet, quartet and organ trio. Her own bands have garnered glowing reviews and earned her a loyal fan base around the globe.

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ensen is also a dedicated jazz educator, having taught trumpet at the University of Michigan and Peabody Conservatory, performing and lecturing as a guest artist with the Thelonious Monk Institute High School group featuring Herbie Hancock, and performing and teaching at the Centrum Jazz Workshop, The Dave Brubeck Institute, the Banff Centre Workshop in Jazz & Creative Music and the Stanford Jazz Camp and the Geri Allen Jazz Camp for young women. She is currently on faculty at both Purchase College, and is serving as Interim Associate Dean and Director of Jazz Arts at Manhattan School of Music.

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Since her victory at the Carmine Caruso Trumpet Competition in 1995, Jensen has since sat on the judges’ panel twice for said competition. She is regularly invited to trumpet festivals around the world and recently served as Artist-in-Residence at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival, performing with her own quintet and giving tribute to the great Geri Allen, with fellow Artist-in-Residence, Tia Fuller.

One of Ingrid’s most frequent and closest collaborators is her sister, saxophonist and composer Christine Jensen. The sisters release, Infinitude, featuring the brilliant guitarist Ben Monder, received heavy praise from the Jazz Community as did Ingrid’s latest recording, Invisible  Sounds.  The album,honoring the late great Kenny Wheeler, received critical acclaim and let to a feature on NPR’s Jazz Night in America hosted by Christian McBride.

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Most recently Ingrid was chosen as the 2019 recipient of the Jazz Journalists Trumpeter-of-the-Year award.

Ingrid plays a custom Monette trumpet, built personally by the master builder Dave Monette.

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http://ingridjensen.com

If there was ever an award for the “coolest” jazz vocalist it would have always gone to Carmen McRae.  
 

Eight years younger than her idol, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae was a contemporary of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Ella and Sarah were already well established by the time Carmen came onto the scene, but it wasn’t long before Carmen was considered their artistic equal, although she never achieved their wide popularity. She never had a huge hit nor did she ever receive a Grammy.  But, on the other hand, she never made a bad record nor compromised her high standards.

Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan inspired awe with their vocal prowess.  Ella – with her perfect pitch and unerring sense of time – could reproduce any instrumental jazz riff, and Sarah – with her multi-octave range and ultra-flexible voice – could change octave and color on a single note.  Carmen, however, could bring a tear to the eye or a lump to the throat, with her reading of a lyric. That was her great talent.  She combined the ability to project the emotional connotations of a song with a musical intelligence that was derived in part from her knowledge of the piano. She perfected a style musicians called singing “behind the beat.” 

Diva Jazz Orchestra "Live at Birdland - Caravan"

 

Headed by swinging drummer Sherrie Maricle, DIVA exudes the excitement and force found in the tradition of the historic big bands but with an eye towards today’s progressive sound of originality and verve. With New York as their home base, DIVA performs all over the world playing contemporary, mainstream big band jazz composed and arranged to fit the individual personalities and styles of the musicians themselves. Audiences can expect to hear high-energy performances packed with unique improvisation, spontaneity, and fun.

The inspiration for DIVA came from Stanley Kay, one-time manager and relief drummer for Buddy Rich. In 1990, Kay was conducting a band in which Sherrie Maricle was playing the drums. Stanley immediately picked up on her extraordinary talent and began to wonder if there were other women players who could perform at the same level. In 1992 the search was on, and through nationwide auditions the foundation for DIVA was poured. What emerged is the dynamic musical force that holds forth to the present day.

https://divajazz.com/

Rachael Price “What I'm Doing Here”

 

Rachael Price, the powerhouse vocalist behind the band Lake Street Dive, isn't your average singer. With a voice that swings effortlessly between smoky jazz and soulful blues, she captivates audiences with her impressive range and undeniable stage presence. “When Rachael Price opens her mouth and lets loose with her cool cannon blast of a voice, you sort of forget to breathe,” wrote Rolling Stone.

 

Born in Australia but raised in Tennessee, her musical roots run deep, with a family lineage steeped in music and performance. Graduating from the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, she honed her skills and went on to become a central figure in the band's success, captivating fans with her dynamic performances and timeless vocals.

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Enjoy this marvelous sultry voice as you soulfully move into Spring!

Nicole Zuraitis “A Star Emerges”

 

Nicole Zuraitis, the 2024 Grammy winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album for her work "How Love Begins," has captivated audiences with her soulful voice and sophisticated interpretations.

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Zuraitis' rise to prominence began with her nomination for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in the same category, a testament to her early potential. However, it was her 2024 album "How Love Begins" that truly propelled her into the spotlight. The album, praised for its emotional depth and innovative arrangements, garnered critical acclaim, and ultimately earned her the coveted Grammy Award.

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While information on Zuraitis' specific musical influences is limited, "How Love Begins' ' offers clues to her artistic preferences. The album showcases her versatility, seamlessly weaving between classic jazz standards and contemporary compositions. Her vocal delivery is both powerful and nuanced, conveying a profound understanding of the emotional core of each song.

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Beyond the recording studio, Zuraitis is known for her captivating live performances. Her stage presence is captivating, drawing audiences in with her heartfelt delivery and genuine passion for the music.

With the Grammy Award in hand, Nicole Zuraitis has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of jazz. Her combination of vocal prowess, artistic depth, and genuine connection with her audience positions her for a long and successful career. As she continues to grow and evolve as an artist, one can only anticipate the musical treasures that await in the years to come.

Happy Birthday Nina Simone!

February 27, 1933 - April 21, 2003

 

Ms. Simone: A Songbird With Fire in Her Soul 

 

Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in 1933, wasn't just a jazz singer. She was a fiery whirlwind of talent, activism, and raw emotion, leaving an indelible mark on music and society. Though categorized as jazz, her genre-bending sound incorporated blues, folk, gospel, and classical, reflecting the depth and complexity of her artistry and life.

 

Simone's journey began in rural North Carolina, where dreams of a concert pianist career burned bright. Despite facing racial discrimination, she secured funding to study at Juilliard, only to abandon it due to financial hardship. Instead, she began singing in Atlantic City nightclubs under the pseudonym Nina Simone, crafting a persona that would captivate audiences.

 

Early success with "I Love You Porgy" belied the growing social unrest brewing within her. The brutal murder of Emmett Till in 1955 ignited a fire, and Simone poured her grief and anger into the protest anthem "Mississippi Goddam," a defiant cry against racial injustice. This marked a turning point, transforming her into a powerful voice for the Civil Rights Movement.

 

Through songs like "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" and "Ain't Got No, I Got Life," Simone became a soundtrack for the movement. Her smoky vocals carried tales of struggle and resilience, laced with vulnerability and rage. She wasn't afraid to confront injustice head-on, her music becoming a weapon wielded with grace and fury.

 

But Simone's complexities extended beyond activism. She explored love, loss, and personal demons with unflinching honesty. Songs like "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "Feeling Good" unveiled emotional depths, resonating with audiences far beyond the boundaries of race and politics. Beyond her activism, Simone explored a vast musical landscape. She reinterpreted classics like "I Put a Spell on You" infusing them with her unique style. Her piano playing, often percussive and bluesy, complemented her smoky vocals, creating an intensely personal and captivating sound.

 

Despite her immense talent and cultural impact, Simone's career was riddled with personal and professional struggles. Mental health issues, industry exploitation, and political tensions led to self-imposed exile in Europe in the 1970s.

 

Nina Simone passed away in 2003, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Her music remains a timeless testament to the power of artistic expression in the face of adversity. More than just a singer, she was a force of nature, a complex artist who dared to confront the world with her truth, forever etched in the tapestry of music and activism.

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https://www.ninasimone.com/

Celeste “Hear My Voice”

 

Simple words with a profound underscore, Celeste becries the following:

 

“Hear my voice

Hear my dreams

Let us make a world, world, in which I believe 

Hear my words 

Hear my cries 

Let me see a change through these eyes”

 

Celeste performs “Hear My Voice” in London’s Union Chapel, July 2021. The song is featured in the film “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” The call for a better world is still being asked today. 

 

Born in the US but raised in the UK. Celeste Epiphany Waite Is a generation-defying icon in the making. Her larger than life blend of Jazz, Soul, and R & B, brings forth the whispers of the ancestor greats. We hear the subtle rhythms of Ella Fitzgerald and the pain of Aretha Franklin. There are some who hear the strains of Adele, the rugged passion of Amy Winehouse, and the fragility of Billie Holiday. Some have stated Celeste is the finest talent to emerge from the UK in years.

 

And yet, the approach is distinctively Celeste who is forging toward creating her own irresistible presence. 

Enjoy!

 

https://www.celesteofficial.com/