 |
JENNIFER BARNES SERIES
Jennifer Barnes has developed a reputation as an exceptional musician
through her work as a live and studio vocalist, arranger and educator.
Referring to her debut CD recording, “You Taught My Heart”, legendary
jazz bassist Rufus Reid says, “Jennifer integrates rich vocal quality,
clarity of pitch and emotion with an additional pivotal skill that sets
her apart from other great singers; she sings improvisations that are
melodically and rhythmically interesting from the point of view of a
jazz instrumentalist.” She sang in a nationally aired Chili’s
television commercial, and her voice has been featured on television and
radio commercials including Epson, Old El Paso, McDonalds and
Kellogg’s. She has opened for the Count Basie Orchestra and performed
with her trio at the 28th Annual IAJE International Conference in New
York City. Jennifer demonstrates tremendous versatility in her ability
to not only lead her own small jazz group, but also as a big band
vocalist, most notably as the featured vocalist on the Doug Lawrence
Orchestra CD, “Big Band Swing”. Chicago Tribune jazz critic Howard
Reich reported, “she produces a sumptuous, wide-open sound...yet she
threw off ornate lines at quick tempos with apparent ease.” Jennifer
is the alto voice and one of the primary arranger/composers for the
professional a cappella vocal sextet, Sixth Wave, whose most recent CD
release ("Happy Madness") has been highly acclaimed, and they maintain
an active performance and tour schedule in the U.S. and Canada.
Jennifer resides in the Los Angeles area, where she has established her
vocal presence through both live and studio singing opportunities,
having been invited to perform or record with such musical legends as
Doc Severinsen, Barry Manilow, Cy Coleman, Marilyn & Alan Bergman,
Doc Severinsen, as a backup vocalist for Bono on the 2002 Grammy Awards,
and on television shows and films including "Live Free or Die Hard",
"Ice Age 2 & 3", "Wall-E", "Speed Racer", "2012", "Enchanted", "Star
Trek" and "Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief" and most recently, the
FOX smash hit, "Glee". Jennifer has gained notoriety not only for her
performing abilities, but also for her commitment to jazz education.
She was an active long-time member and advocate of IAJE (International
Association of Jazz Educators), now is a member of JEN (Jazz Education
Network), and has taught the vocalists at the Jamey Aebersold Summer
Jazz Camps since 1998. In addition, she taught privately and directed
downBeat [magazine] award-winning Vocal Jazz Ensembles for over ten
years, including Western Michigan University, University of Miami (FL),
Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and the
University of Southern California.
|
|
|
