Santa Barbara's Premiere Vocal Jazz Ensemble!
Vocal jazz harmony is a unique form of jazz embedded in American Jazz tradition. The rich harmonies and chord progressions interpreted by a blend of voices, is a much different style of jazz than what one thinks of when they hear the word “jazz.” Traditionally, jazz is thought of as a jazz combo with a bass, drums, horn, and piano, with perhaps one lead vocalist such as Ella Fitzgerald, or Diana Krall. However, vocal jazz harmony is a unique form of jazz singing. Vocal jazz harmony is an intricate weave and balance of voices in the jazz idiom. It is beautiful, exciting, spontaneous and includes a rich array of jazz chord progressions, all in a cappella form.
VocalPoint, the performing arm of the Santa Barbara Vocal Jazz Foundation, is a 12 member volunteer vocal jazz ensemble that performs a cappella jazz to students in an assembly format. This is a 45 minute presentation that teaches elements of jazz such as scat, mouth percussion, voicetrumental (the art of imitating instruments), and introduces musical concepts such as harmony and improvisation. We explain the terms and basics of jazz in a demonstration format, sometimes even in the lyrics of the music. These techniques provide a rich educational experience for the school audience. The highlight for everyone is when the students volunteer to come up on stage and scat along with VocalPoint in a call and response style.
VocalPoint specializes in performing unique arrangements of classic and modern jazz & pop standards, as well as original compositions. The group's lush, close harmony can be heard in concert venues, private parties, and educational settings. For booking information, please contact our business manager, Melissa Brooks, at 805-569-9658. For e-mail, click here
