Durham, NC
About NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble:
NCCU’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble was founded in 1992 and is comprised of undergraduate and graduate student vocalists with backgrounds from all over the globe. The award-winning ensemble’s sound is steeped in the American jazz tradition, and the group continues to be noted for their diverse repertoire and performance acumen. The North Carolina Central University Vocal Jazz Ensemble debuted their first full-length recording, Arrival, in 2010. Arrival emerged as a culmination of years of performing under the tutelage of then director, Mr. Arnold George, jazz studies program director, Dr. Ira Wiggins, and Lenora Helm Hammonds who joined the NCCU Department of Music in 2005. VJE is often accompanied by and performs arrangements from NCCU jazz faculty pianist/arranger Ed Paolantonio. The group is now directed by Associate Professor/Jazz Studies, Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds.
NCCU is the only HBCU to be a recipient of the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation Scholarship, the Memorial Scholars in Jazz. Other esteemed honors for NCCU’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble include being named the 2018 Best Choir Award from HBCU Digest. Highlights of performances of the NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble include being chosen as the first vocal ensemble invited to perform at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival and appearances in major performances at the New York City Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) festival in Toronto, The NCCU Jazz Ensemble and vocalists were invited to perform at the White House for a reception for the state and congressional aides (Clinton administration) and for a political event to welcome First Lady Michelle Obama. Additionally, the NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble was an on-air guest, performing live on RealJazz on Sirius XM Radio in New York City with host Mark Ruffin. Finally, Members of the NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble are annual featured guests at the Aruba International Jazz Day. NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble has shared the stage with renowned jazz artist and NCCU Artists-in-Residence, Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, and guest artists, Jimmy Heath, Antonio Hart, Geri Allen, Nnenna Freelon, Carmen Lundy, Mary Stallings, Take 6 and many others. The ensemble released their second recording in Spring 2017 entitled Take Note. The recording included favorites from the vocal jazz standard repertoires of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Take 6. Produced by Lenora Helm Hammonds and Dr. Ira Wiggins, Take Note is a recording to celebrate the talented students of the NCCU Jazz Studies program and honoring Mr. Jimmy Heath. We welcome new students and graduate assistantships and scholarships available; email Baron Tymas at btymas@nccu.edu or Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds at LHelm@nccu.edu for information. Visit www.nccu.edu/jazz.
Disclosure information not submitted.
What is the Future of African American Students and Educators in Jazz Education?
Thursday, January 4, 2024
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM CST
PRO JAM NETWORK HANG! (Vocal Focus)
Thursday, January 4, 2024
11:59 PM – 1:30 AM CST