Vocal Jazz Clinics

In Tune And On Time; The Art of Vocal Jazz:  A vocal workshop emphasizing the defining elements of jazz singing.  We begin with mental imaging, breathing and stretching exercises, straight into a vocal technique warm up, complete with placement, long tones and tongue stretching exercises.  Vocal technique is immediately followed by ear training exercises which include: rhythmic patterns, melodic patterns, syllable articulation, chord scales, guide tones and phrasing.   Each vocalist will sing two songs of their choosing, followed by a critique of lyric interpretation and lyric improvisation.  Each workshop is designed for the specific level of your students.  A work packet and a cd. are created for your teacher or school to make copies for each student.   I have experienced great success with opera and theatre  students,  high school and choral groups and also local in-house older adult groups abroad and in the U.S.

*New Workshop*: What it Takes to be an Artist: “The only thing you can rely on is change”.  Music as a business can be a daunting proposition to even the most disciplined and organized student.   The art of vocal jazz is growing world wide, but the landscape has changed significantly in the past five years.  I will discuss the options in today’s market place and prepare your students for the reality they face as an artist.  “All things are Possible with a Positive Attitude and Hard Work”.  Topics: Focus your image and repertoire;  organize your publicity materials and make a list of venues which support your style of music,  how to be a successful  band leader and a review of  legal issues to consider when leading a band,  the cost of going on the road,  what it takes to hire an agent and or manager, making a quality recording with proper copyright and publisher information.  These are all important issues for any young or old artist.

Jazz: Yesterday And Today:  A one-hour dvd overview on the history of jazz, including highlights from Ken Burns celebrated multi-part PBS series.  This is an excellent presentation for conservatories and high schools who do not have jazz programs.   This workshop is excellent for a sixty to ninety minute class period,  followed by an afternoon or evening concert with my trio or your teachers and/or your big band.  I have several great charts written by Kenny Werner and Pete McGuinness that will invite the joy and approval of a faculty or student body who are familiar with the great American art form of jazz and those who have never heard jazz music.

Vocalists Are From Venus, Instrumentalists Are From Mars: Skills in Communication: A workshop detailing the keys for successful interplay among singers and instrumentalists on the bandstand and in rehearsals.  This workshop is also excellent for instrumentalists.  I address issues such as: clairvoyance doesn’t work with musicians in rehearsal or on the bandstand; the importance of mutual respect, how to get it and give it;  how much money do you pay for rehearsals and gigs and how to prepare for your shows.  This workshop gives confidence backed by wisdom and knowledge to any young musician.

Making a Recording:   My 2011 recording:  The Music of Randy Newman, on the Motema Music label received a nomination for best vocal jazz recording of the year.  I have been married to and worked with one of the best recording engineers working in jazz today,  Mr. Paul Wickliffe.  After recording  twelve critically acclaimed cd.’s with some of the best musicians in jazz I can advise each student how to make the most cost effective and quality recording to reflect their work.   I will guide your students through: a.choosing material  b. the  band c. organizing rehearsals and your session  d. saving money and making a great product d. where to place your music and sell your mp3′s.

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Performances and Programs

(Duos, Small Groups, Big Bands, Orchestras)

The Music of Randy Newman:  2011 Grammy Nominated recording for best vocal jazz record of the year!  A complete program of re-invented arrangements by pianist,  Mark Soskin and vocalist, Roseanna Vitro.   This five piece group boasts the rising star violinist, Ms.Sara Caswell, just off of her tour with Esperanza Spalding.   With Vitro’s rhythm section of several tours bassist great, Dean Johnson and Tim Horner on drums this group will present fresh music which any classical, jazz or pop audience will fall in love with.  The RNP band also presents concerts featuring jazz standards from Roseanna’s previously recorded albums plus some of the Randy Newman material.

Conviction: Thoughts of Bill Evans: A Program featuring Bill Evans material based on the arrangements of Fred Hersch,  Allen Farnham and Mark Soskin from Roseanna’s recording.

Sarah, Carmen, Ella, Joe: Ms. Vitro essays and interprets the greatest works associated with legendary jazz vocalists, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, and Joe Williams.

Catchin’ Some Rays: The Music of Ray Charles; A spirited evening of soulful stylings, drawn from Ms. Vitro’s classic Telarc recording, with charts from Kenny Werner, featuring such classics as One Mint Julep, Unchain My Heart,  Lonely Avenue, and more.

New Jazz Standards; Ms. Vitro illuminates the great American songs and songwriters from our most recent past.  Compositions by Tom Harrell, McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Horace Silver, and Cedar Walton.

Delirium Blues: Ms. Vitro extols and examines the blues, from rustic to refined, Tower of Power to Joni Mitchell and Mose Allison. Four horns, a guitar and rhythm section a must for this show!

Tropical Postcards: The music of Brazil, its rhythms, its buoyancy, melodies and lyrics of Antono Carlos Jobim, Dori Caymi, Ivan Lins, and Milton Nascimento.

The Art of The Big Band: Ms Vitro joins forces with your big band, swinging through an evening of great arrangements by Kenny Werner, including Whisper Not, Freedom Jazz Dance, In a Sentimental Mood, and Passion Dance, among others.

Orchestral Americana: A program rich in Americana,  Blue Skies,  Old Devil Moon,  Dreamsville,  plus the Brazilian majesty of Milton Nascimento’s Cancao Do Sal and Joni Mitchell’s The Circle Game.  This program was a televised Christmas special in Slovenia in 2001 and Aaru, Switzerland Youth Orchestra April 2010.

Workshops: