"Sing! Sing! Sing!" - March 22nd, 2003
New York Voices is the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble renowned for their excellence in jazz and the art of group singing. Like the great groups that have come before, such as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Singers Unlimited, Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, they have learned from the best and taken the art form to new levels.
The JazzMn Big Band will welcome the amazing jazz vocal group, New York Voices, for "Sing! Sing! Sing!" Saturday, March 22nd at 7:30 p.m. at Benson Great Hall, on the campus of Bethel College.
Ticket Information Concert Program
The group's interests are rooted in jazz, but often Brazilian, R & B, classical, and pop influences are included with equal creativity and authenticity
New York Voices was formed in 1987, and currently consists of leader Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge, Kim Nazarian and Lauren Kinhan. The group received rave notices and quickly received domestic and international recognition in the jazz world. From '89 to '94, they released four total CDs: their self-titled debut; Hearts of Fire; What's Inside; and The Collection. They have performed with The Count Basie Orchestra, Jim Hall, Don Sebesky, and JazzMn's most recent guest artist, Paquito D'Rivera.
In early 1997, NYV signed a new record deal with RCA Victor. They traveled down a different road creating their first high concept CD paying tribute to a contemporary composer which produced, New York Voices Sing the Songs of Paul Simon. They explored and used a variety of styles to express new turns on this singer/songwriter's popular songbook.
In late 2000, New York Voices completed their sixth CD entitled Sing, Sing, Sing. After sharing many years and performances with the Count Basie Orchestra, the group wanted to address the Great Big Band Songbook and offer their own version of it. With Darmon doing the lion's share of the vocal and big band arrangements, they hired the producing talents of Elliot Scheiner (Manhattan Transfer, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac) to capture the music and mix it with his exquisite precision and care. Other guest band arrangers are the great Micheal Abene and Rob Mounsey.
NYV has traveled the globe with their elegant music, befriending people everywhere they go. They have appeared on the stages of Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Blue Note (Japan, NYC), The Austria Opera House, The Zurich Opera House, and the list goes on. They have been seen at the many jazz festivals including the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, The Montreal Jazz Festival, and the New Orleans Jazz and Blues Heritage Festival.
Along with their extensive concert performances and recording dates, NYV also works in the field of education, giving workshops and clinics to high school and college music students. Individually, the four members are involved in a variety of projects including solo performances and recordings, teaching, writing and arranging. The group hopes to continue to explore all styles of music, and expand their audience for years to come.
Visit New York Voices at their website, www.newyorkvoices.com.
