Roseanna Vitro is an accomplished jazz vocalist, producer, educator and. recording artist. She has released fourteen critically acclaimed albums on; Concord Records, Telarc, Challenge, nl., and Motema labels, achieving a Grammy nomination in 2012 for "The Music of Randy Newman." Her recent cd on Skyline Records is the re-release of her first vinyl, "Listen Here" featuring Kenny Barron's Trio, which reached #17 on the jazz charts with rave reviews. "Sing a Song of Bird" The Music of Charlie Parker is in the Q for release at the end of this year. Vitro has toured as a featured artist on every continent but Antarctica, including two tours as a Jazz Ambassador for The Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center in partnership with the US State Dept. As a teacher, she developed a four-year vocal jazz program for New Jersey City University, SUNY Purchase, and NJPAC over the course of twenty years. As a jazz advocate, she has produced records for fellow singers and musicians, chaired seminars for Jazz Times conventions, lectured and presented clinics globally, and is devoted to documenting the life experience of jazz singers through her column in JazzTimes. http://www.RoseannaVitro.com
Supporting Musicians: Sheila Jordan has carried on the music of Charlie Parker since she was a teenage girl listening to Charlie play in a NYC bar. Sheila sings her stories of bebop with authentic bebop scat, soulful ballads that make you cry before she finishs a set swinging and singing "Sheila's Blues. "Following are a few of her awards : 2018 8th SATCHMO Award, 2018 Bistro Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Art of Jazz; 2017 Jazz Legends Distinguished Achievement Award from the UMass Fine Arts Center and the Valley Jazz Network. https://www.sheilajordanjazz.com/about
Marion Cowings embodies and extraordinary voice, interpreting jazz music with clear diction and heart. Jon Hendricks loved Marion's scat singing and sang with Marion many times. Frequently you will see and hear Marion's workshops and concerts at Lincoln Center. We are thrilled to have Marion join,"Sing a Song of Bird." https://marioncowings.com/
Gary Bartz is one of the few alto sax players who's lived Charlie Parker's music, studied, played and teaches true bebop. McCoy Tyner preferred Gary Bartz as his alto player touring and recording, Gary's compositions and recordings are well known in the jazz world. He is a master musician. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Bartz
Pianist Alan Broadbent is a two-time Grammy Award Winning Pianist, Arranger and Composer who plays with great depth in feeling and swing. He hails from Auckland, New Zealand, now residing in New Jersey and Performs in New York frequently. It is an honor to have Mr. Broadbent in the piano chair for Sing a Song of Bird. Check out his new recording! https://www.alanbroadbent.com/
Dean Johnson bassist is an extraordinary soloist and swings hard. Dean is part of several groups, notably Paul Jost's recent projects. He can be heard with Art Lande. As bassist for vocalist Roseanna Vitro, Dean has performed as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador in the Balkans, Kazahkstan and Kyrgystan, as well as a live recording at the Kennedy Center featuring pianist Kenny Werner, and a recording project celebrating the music of Randy Newman featuring Mark Soskin, nominated for a Grammy in 2012. Dean is an asset in any group!
Alvester Garnett is heir to the legacy of the great Billy Higgins. He swings with joy and style. Alvester is the first call for many great artists. He has appeared on Great Performances on PBS in a tribute to Kurt Weill. Garnett has played with Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carter, Regina Carter, Clark Terry, Pharoah Sanders, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Teddy Edwards, James Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Charenee Wade, Lou Donaldson, Benny Golson.