Vocalists: Ginny Carr
Robert McBride
Roger Reynolds
Holly Bingham
Backed by: Frank Russo Drums Max Murray Bass Alan Blackman Piano
Influences
Manhattan Transfer; Lambert/Hendricks/Ross; Count Basie Orchestra; Duke Ellington Orchestra; NY Voices; Hi-Lo's; Singers Unlimited; Jon Hendricks; Joe Williams; Four Freshmen; Real Group; Take 6; Ella; Sinatra; Mel Torme; Peggy Lee; Tony Bennett; Diane Schuur; Carmen MacRae; all great jazz singers who swing and know their way around a big band
Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet is an internationally acclaimed foursome of diversely talented singers (Ginny Carr, Robert McBride, Roger Reynolds, Holly Bingham) who have performed at major jazz festivals, clubs, and concerts in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, sharing the headliner stage with such legends as Sonny Rollins, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, the Mingus Big Band, Joey DeFrancesco, Abbey Lincoln, Branford Marsalis and the Neville Brothers. They have opened for the Four Freshmen, appeared as guest artists with American symphony orchestras and European big bands, and been profiled on NPR’s Weekend Edition, Jazz Smithsonian (hosted by Al Jarreau), Radio Jazz Copenhagen, and many radio programs across the world. The group’s first CD reached the 2 top spot in jazz sales on Amazon. Backed by a blazing instrumental jazz trio, the vocal quartet performs tightly harmonized arrangements, inventive lyrics, and unique renditions of classic jazz, swing, pop, originals, and American songbook standards. Their big band-like sound is irresistably exciting, and the singers tell their stories through lyrics that will make you smile.
- "Four Voices blending together and just swinging like mad!" (Susan Stamberg, NPR)
- "The UVJQ celebrates swing and bop harmonic designs in ways that trick and delight the ear…A vocal ensemble blend that sounds utterly natural and seamless, as if it were simply meant to be." (Mike Joyce, The Washington Post jazz reviewer)
- " There are few groups extant whose voices blend together with such exciting harmonic synergy." (AllAboutJazz.com)
Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet's Career Highlights:
La Nuit du Jazz – Nantes, France - guest artists with 18 pc. Cote Ouest Big Band
Clearwater Jazz Holiday, FL – international jazz festival, 25th anniversary (shared headliner stage with Branford Marsalis, Neville Bros., Chris Botti, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy)
Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival (shared headliner stage with Nancy Wilson, Mingus Big Band, Dr. John, Abbey Lincoln, Joey DeFrancesco)
Ottawa International Jazz Festival (shared headliner stage with Tony Bennett, Sonny Rollins, Pete Fountain
Festival Miami
F.our Freshmen , opening act
NPR’s Weekend Edition, profiled by Susan Stamberg
Jazz Smithsonian’s Jazz Singers series, profiled by Al Jarreau
Richmond Jazz Society, VA concert series
Blowing Rock Jazz Society, NC concert series
Sanibel Big Arts Concert Series, FL
Radio Jazz Copenhagen, profiled by Palle Christensen
Radio Palermo, Buenos Aires, “La Guagua” Jazz, on-air profile
Taiwan Choral Music Center Newsletter (profiled) – Taipei, Taiwan
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, DC
Washington Bach Consort, VA
Blues Alley, DC
Smithsonian Jazz Cafe, DC
Symphony orchestras (various)- guest artists
2 spot, Amazon.com - Top Jazz Sales
“Radio From Downtown” live show, featured musical guest, with NPR personalities, repeat appearances at Avalon Theater, MD
Charlie Byrd Tribute concert series, VA
Chestertown Jazz Festival, MD
Greensburg Concert Series, PA
The Mainstay Concert Hall, MD
Gettysburg Summer Concert Series, PA
Bluemont Concert Series, VA
Lake Anne Concert Series, VA
Extensive worldwide radio airplay, many stations & programs
**UVJQ has also provided their special brand of entertainment at many professional conferences, private receptions, and VIP functions. **
From the Press:
"Four Voices blending together and just swinging like mad!" --- Susan Stamberg, NPR
"Much like Lambert, Hendricks and Ross or Manhattan Transfer, the UVJQ celebrates swing and bop harmonic designs in ways that trick and delight the ear." -- Jazz Review
"A vocal ensemble blend that sounds utterly natural and seamless, as if it were simply meant to be. They swing with a nonchalance that belies the ,l1group's remarkably fine-tuned vocals." --- Mike Joyce, The Washington Post
"Make some room, Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices and Four Freshmen, for the innovative, completely ear catching multi voiced renderings of Washington, D. C.' s Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet...There are few groups extant whose voices blend together with such exciting harmonic synergy as this outfit from the Nation's Capitol." ---- AllAboutJazz.com
"Evident throughout [UVJQ's] " When the Sun Goes Down" (House Kat) are the Transfer's tight boy-girl-boy-girl harmonies, their sharp jazz instincts and, for the most part, their same good taste. [...] UVJQ deserves to be heard." --- JazzTimes
"The Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet may not have invented this vocal style, but they perform it with the confidence that suggests they did. The artistry and professionalism that oozes from these uptowners places them in the game on their own terms." --- Cadence Magazine
"They create an incredible sonic whole, much greater than the sum of its parts, though all are fine singers." --- Eric Brace, The Washington Post
Just stopping by to send you some love and let you know that my song “Sway” has just been nominated for a Los Angeles Music Award under the category “Latin, Female Vocal.”
I’d love it if you’d stop by to say hello and listen to my song.
The Blues had a baby and called it "Rock and Roll". May the blues live on forever. May your favorite music live on forever as well Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet
Thanks for the add, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet! Beautiful vocals and harmony! I am loving your tracks! Hope to see you in concert soon! All the Best! Peace!
Jr. Greene from Mississippi will play the blues for yall! I'm currently in the top 100 unsigned blues musicians for the state of Mississippi. I love you all and appreciate all the support. Send more fans my way. I'm at "The Shed" in Ocean Springs, MS, phone 228-875-9590
for directions and more details. I love ya'll. Jr. Greene.
A poem for your day:
.
.
Rest In All Love Is
------------------
I love you like this...
dark, i can barely see your eyes...
so dark my eyes are useless. My
heart opens wide its light on you
and your face brightens like the
static on a TV screen, or like the moment
we die and things begin to go all white
and
then
you're an angel laying before me...
the same one that has been there all along,
the one my eyes turned into something else and I
am ashamed I was deceived.
Then,
I see you, I see you like the energy that flows through my limbs,
now, like the breath that takes the universe and
gently creates another, now, like my feet walking
on glass, now, like I was never there.
I love you like I was never there. So gently, never there. In the dark
where I can barely see, and, rest in all that love is.
Hello My Friends,
You are amazing - I'm so lucky person that You found me and invite me here!
I love every kind of vocal music, I'm performing that kind of stuff, so I understand very well Your love to singing:)
love
Karoll
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