arrange • compose • conduct
Posts about vocal jazz.
I have been blessed with some fabulous Patrons on Patreon supporting me in creating new vocal music every month. In April, my project was an a cappella SATB arrangement of “What’ll I Do?” – the classic Irving Berlin ballad that recently entered the public domain. Patreon supporters get free access […]
“I don’t like their voice” is about the least compelling criticism I’ve ever heard. Almost any singer whose voice is distinctive from the average sound is going to receive this criticism. I’ve heard it recently about both Jacob Collier and Lin-Manuel Miranda. But I could have heard it said about […]
Please enjoy Shades of Blue’s virtual recording of “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens” – out in virtual choir style now. It was the hardest chart we recorded remotely this year. Darmon Meader’s writing never disappoints, and this is a fun and silly song for him to play with. It […]
It’s my end-of-school-year tradition to publish the repertoire my ensemble sang over the year. With my fourth year at GRCC in the books, here are the pieces Shades of Blue learned and performed. Shades of Blue had eight singers (2-2-2-2) in the fall semester and nine singers (2-2-3-2) in the […]
I consider the albums recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (Ella and Louis, Ella and Louis Again, and Porgy and Bess) to be some of the most important jazz vocal albums of all time. The playing, the singing, the swinging, the sheer joy of these albums is immeasurable. I […]
I was part of my first live concert in 15 months today. The first concert after the long quiet. The last time I went that long between musical performances, I was a toddler. Thank you, Shades of Blue, for your yesness. For facing the many challenges of 2020 and 2021, […]
Please join me and GRCC Shades of Blue this Friday for a real, live, in-person concert! We’ll be presenting an evening of vocal jazz outdoors on GRCC’s campus. There will be lawn seating – bring blankets! Music will include three group numbers, as well as five solo songs that Shades […]
My new Patreon is focused on creating a new vocal/choral work each month, and a big part of that is arranging songs newly released into the public domain. In April, I created a new SATB arrangement of the Irving Berlin standard “What’ll I Do?” – and I’m working to find […]
I’m excited that my first live concert in over a year is just one week away. With tremendous support from leadership at GRCC, and incredible work from Shades of Blue, I’m excited to present a concert of live jazz, out on the lawn behind the Music Center. We’ll present three […]
My ensemble, Shades of Blue, is attending the virtual SMV/Real Group Vocal Jazz Festival, presented by Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, and spearheaded by Dr. Jeremy Fox and the rest of the SWCC music staff. It promises to be an amazing festival, with dozens of sessions for all ages, […]