The latest project for Jo Ann is the Jo Ann Pickens Quartet which is dedicated to the repertoire of Carmen McRae. With her stunning pianist and arranger, Michael Dravigny, she is fast lighting up the Paris jazz scene with this music.
For more information, go to:
www.joannpickens-quartet.com
Michael DRAVIGNY piano
Stéphane BOUTINAUD drums
Zacharie ABRAHAM bass
JO ANN PICKENS
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas where she studied music at North Texas State University, Jo Ann Pickens began her musical career as an Opera Singer with the Chicago Lyric Opera. She was a recipient of over 12 international prizes including National Metropolitan Opera Award Finalist, The Grand Prix Internat ional de Chant de Paris and the Benson And Hedges Competition in Great Brit an.
Jo Ann has appeared in such operas as Berlioz' "Les Troyens", Purcell's "Dido And Aeneas" and Verdi's "Nabucco". Her exceptional voice has led her to sing with world wide known conductors such as Sir Georg Solti, Sir Simon Rattle and Michel Plasson.
Beginning in the year 2000, Jo Ann changed musical directions and directed her vocal talents toward the Jazz and Gospel worlds. Starting with an album of Negro Spirituals entitled "My Heritage" and starring in 2003 in a major musical comedy at the Winter Circus in Paris, FRANCE called "FREEDOM - GOSPEL OPERA", Jo Ann has come full circle with the music of her childhood days in Texas when she sang in the local church choir and played gospel piano and listened to her mother singing the hymns of the church and the blues.
In Germany where she is very well known and loved, she has been featured in many television shows with such artists as Gloria Gaynor, Lee Anne Rimes and Phil Collins. Among these shows was the popular "Wetten dass?" hosted by Thomas Gottschalk who appeared as the German cook along side Whoopi Goldberg in "Sister Act II". On the show, Jo Ann intrpreted her own gospel arrangement of "Silent Night" which she performed with the Vienna Boys Choir.
Jo Ann Pickens discography inludes over 17 recordings ranging from classically performed Negro Spirituals to her latest album of contemporary cover hits of gospel artists such as Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond. She has also been featured on many gospel compilations with the likes of Mahalia Jackson, The Golden Gate Quartet and Louis Armstrong.
The latest project for Jo Ann is the Jo Ann Pickens Quartet which is dedicated to the repertoire of Carmen McRae. With her stunning pianist and arranger, Michael Dravigny, she is fast lighting up the Paris jazz scene with this music.
For more information, go to:
joannpickens-quartet.com
Hi Jo Ann, its such a pleasure to see you on Myspace. Dont you just sound and look great!!!! I really hope to see you soon. All the best!!! Big kisses and Love Sophia
Salut Jo Ann, Je profite de la connection d'un ami pour te faire un coucou du sud de la France ou il ne fait pas beau du tout, Bisous et au mois de Septembre... Steph
