When asked to describe vocalist Jeff Hall, the first words of reply are usually "incredible musician." Immediately you know that you are dealing with a person who has more going for him than just a singing voice, although the voice is a remarkable one. He has a complete package of skills that are evident on his debut CD "Let's Face The Music." His unique treatment of jazz standards has produced wonderful arrangements that are as individual as he is, and along with a tremendous band, he delivers the goods! Born into a musical family (both mother and father were music teachers) just north of Baltimore, Maryland, singing and playing music came naturally. This love of music eventually led him to Towson University in Towson, Maryland, where he continued to study, sing, and play drums and percussion, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Jazz/Commercial Performance. He followed that by earning a vocal scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he furthered his education and continued to hone his skills. Currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee, Jeff has been featured on guitarist Ken Navarros "After Dark" and "Pride and Joy" CDs. His tours with the jazz vocal group "After Hours" include performing at both the Montreaux and North Sea Jazz Festivals and dates across Europe. As part of the faculty at the Nashville Jazz Workshop, where he teaches vocal classes and ensembles, Jeff shares his skills and experience with students eager to learn more about the jazz art form. He continues to perform and record in Nashville and other cities, as well as arranging for vocal jazz ensembles and other individual artists.
Mark Stephens - Bass
Mark keeps the low end groovin’ as the bass voice in Nashville’s own 3rd Coast Vocals. Mark hails from a mid-western musical upbringing (his father was a choral teacher for 43 years and his mother was a voice and elementary education major), and from the age of 4, has been consumed with a love for music that has allowed him to sing and play many styles ranging from jazz to contemporary Christian. Mark attended both the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and Colorado State University (CSU), studying choral music education. While attending these schools, he was a member of multiple vocal ensembles, including “Connection” and “Concorde”, both under the direction of choral director and arranger, Kirby Shaw. Mark can be heard on two “Connection” albums and one “Concorde” album and has also worked with other well known arrangers including Gene Puerling, Don Shelton and Steve Zegree. Since his collegiate days, Mark continues to perform and record as a session singer. Artists he has performed and/or recorded with include, Take 6, Kevin Mahogany, Ida McBeth, Bill Crain, Marilyn Maye, Kim Park, Jim Mair, Kerry Strayer, Jay Sollenberger, Bonnie Keen, Alvin Slaughter, Larnelle Harris, Tanya Goodman Sykes, Joy Gardner, the Christ Church Choir, Bobby McFerrin, Barry Manilow, Andy Williams, Oleta Adams, and Karrin Allyson. Mark has also performed the national anthem at several nationally televised sporting events, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. Jingle work includes Children International, Hallmark Cards, Airborne Express, KIIS FM and Sprint. Mark’s vocal impersonation talents (or was it really Willie Nelson?) were also featured in the pre-game presentation from Superbowl XXXVIII, before the infamous “wardrobe malfunction.” When not performing with “3rd Coast Vocals,” Mark continues to be a sought after session singer in the Nashville area.
Christina Watson - Soprano
Vocalist Christina Watson's impressive range appeals to music lovers from all backgrounds. She can swing on a jazz standard, interpret a ballad with mature sensitivity, and then belt out the blues and funk with attitude and a unique edge. Classically trained, she also possesses a powerful soprano voice, which is showcased by her role in the Nashville based vocal jazz quartet, 3rd Coast Vocals. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in 2001, Watson moved from Boston to Nashville. Since her arrival in Music City, Watson has performed at local jazz hot spots such as F Scott's, Café 123 and Ellendale's as well as at private and corporate events and concerts in the US, Sweden, France, Belgium and South Korea. Watson has also made appearances on Nashville Public Radio (90.3 FM) and at local jazz festivals in Watertown, Franklin and Germantown. Her musical talents have also earned her spots on jingles and Nashville songwriters' demos as well as invitations to sit in with bands like New Orleans style funk brass band, halfbrass (www.halfbrass.com), and the Tower of Power tribute band, Bump City (www.myspace.com/toptribute). Watson went into a Boston area studio in early 2004 to record her debut CD, "All About Love," which is now available online (www.cdbaby.com/christinawatson). Her original composition "Half Moon" has received praise from critics and listeners around the globe. Reviews of "All About Love" and music samples are available through Watson's website, www.christinawatson.com. Not only a performer, Watson is also currently teaching vocal classes at the Nashville Jazz Workshop and coaches private vocal students from her home studio. In addition to her music education at Berklee, she also holds a BA in French from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, and an MA in French Literature from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Connye Florance - Alto
As the youngest of five in a family of musicians, Connye didn't have to look far for encouragement when her love of singing took off. "There was just always music in the house ..." she recalls of her childhood in North Carolina -- either (my) daddy ...playing the piano, stomping and grunting out the groove on some Ellington tune; (my) sisters and brother rehearsing their most recent favorite, or the whole family "choired up" and singing my mother's favorite hymns whenever the crowd was gathered and the spirit struck...which was very often. We never wanted for a show."
The scope of Connye's career has included most every facet of the industry...studio, stage, television and film. She has sung jingles for Van Camps Food and Major League Baseball, hosted a PBS Literacy Link educational series produced by KET; been the voice of the "WB" on a number of Warner Brothers jingles across the country, and has even sung country...as a background vocalist on the Elton John/Tammy Wynette duet "What a Woman Needs". Her film, theater and television credits include the feature film "The Client", "Proud Heart", starring Lorrie Morgan, and the role of Ramona in the 2000 independent film festival favorite, "Existo". Connye has toured nationally with Columbia Artists and vocalist Jennifer Holliday, and as featured vocalist with Modern Jazz Tuba Project; The Nashville Jazz Orchestra and with her own award-winning trio of musicians. She has shared the stage with numerous notables, including Steinway artist
Beegie Adair, Grammy award-winner Randy Brecker and vocalist and grammy-award winning songwriter Benita Hill. Connye is a vocal performance instructor at Nashville Jazz Workshop and is enjoying the success of her one-woman show, "Jazz Rhapsody". Connye enjoys working as an actress, but admits it is singing which truly keeps her world in check.
"I love to sing", she says. "It makes me feel good. Music helps me remember that I have a place in the world...that I am part of a collective of hearts and souls with dreams, all in need of love and definition of purpose."
"3rd Coast Vocals" is the newest four part vocal jazz ensemble to hit the Nashville scene. "3rd Coast Vocals" is following in the giant footsteps of groups like New York Voices, Manhattan Transfer, Lambert Hendricks and Ross and Take 6. Members are musical director/arranger Jeff Hall (tenor), Connye Florance (alto), Mark Stephens (bass) and Christina Watson (soprano).
Wow! Thanks for finding me here in MySpace-land and for sharing your fabulous music with me!! Hope our musical paths will cross sometime here in Nashburg. Best of luck and remember that Life Without Music Would Be A Mistake! :-)
Outstanding... marvelous music, a distinguished and very stylish looking page- darn tasty! Gosh, suddenly I want a glass of champagne and I'm contemplating taking up smoking again.
Great to hear you guys! You are fantastic...thanks for the add!
xo jj
Thanks for the add and the friendship - I truly appreciate it!
Greetings from Nashville,
blessings,
Vlada
Hi guys..
very nice works from you !
Hope you like our tunes too...
Cheers from Italy.
Hoffer 4
Hey 3rd Coast Vocals,
Wow! Thanks for finding me here in MySpace-land and for sharing your fabulous music with me!! Hope our musical paths will cross sometime here in Nashburg. Best of luck and remember that Life Without Music Would Be A Mistake! :-)
Musically,
Nancy
www.nancymoran.com
www.myspace.com/nancymoran
www.cdbaby.com/nancymoran
Thanks and very best wishes!
x Stacey
Hey!
Thanks for finding me. I hope you have a great weekend!
All the very best.
Liz ;-)
Outstanding... marvelous music, a distinguished and very stylish looking page- darn tasty! Gosh, suddenly I want a glass of champagne and I'm contemplating taking up smoking again.
If Christina's in the group, it must be gooooood.
Thanks!
Peace, Cb
Incredible sound! Great site, too.
How does the site look everyone?
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