New York Voices
Now entering their 24th year, NEW YORK VOICES is the Grammy Award winning vocal ensemble renowned for their extraordinary scope of music and the art of group singing. Like the great groups that have come before, such as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Singers Unlimited, and Manhattan Transfer, they have learned from the best and pushed the art form into the 21st Century. Their harmonic palette is rooted in jazz, but their playground is eclectic – infusing Brazilian, R & B, classical, pop and original compositions with ease and expertise.
The group was formed in 1987 by Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge, Kim Nazarian, Caprice Fox and Sara Krieger. By way of explanation, Darmon, Peter, Kim and Caprice attended Ithaca College in NY and were part of an invitational alumni group formed to tour the European Jazz Festivals in the summer of '86. As a result of this exciting experience, the concept was formed and in 1989 they signed with GRP Records, releasing their self -titled album, New York Voices. The group received rave notices and quickly received domestic and international recognition in the Jazz World. From '89 to '94, they released said debut and Hearts of Fire, What's Inside, and The Collection on the GRP Label.
While recording for GRP, they underwent personnel changes. In 1992, Sara Krieger retired, and after auditioning over 60 vocalists from all over the U.S., the group found Lauren Kinhan. There was an immediate chemistry in fit and sound, allowing them to become the "new" New York Voices. Lauren's first musical contributions can be heard on NYV's third CD, What's Inside. In early 1994, Caprice Fox left the group, forever fixing NYV as the quartet it remains today.
In early 1997 they traveled down a different road, paying tribute to a contemporary composer, producing New York Voices Sing the Songs of Paul Simon. They explored and used a variety of styles to express new turns on this singer/songwriter's rich songbook. Says the All Music Guide, “The arrangements are brighter and brassier than Simon’s originals, but there’s a real charm to the performances that makes it a thoroughly entertaining experience.”
In 2001, New York Voices released their sixth studio CD titled Sing! Sing! Sing! After many years of performing with the Count Basie Orchestra, the group wanted to address the great big band songbook and offer their own spin. With Darmon doing the lion's share of the vocal and big band arrangements, they hired the producing talents of Elliot Scheiner (Manhattan Transfer, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac) and additional arrangers, Michael Abene and Rob Mounsey. As reviewed by Don Heckman of the LA times, "The title track quickly lays down what to expect from the balance of the program: complex, interwoven vocal lines, interactive improvising and brisk ensemble accompaniment. And revivalist swing fans -- both players and listeners -- would do well to check out the Voices' capacity to bring a contemporary quality to classic material without sacrificing the essence of either."
Through the years, they have been called upon by numerous symphonies to bring their vocal flair to the pops orchestra circuit. They developed a pops big band program with the Boston Pops and performed with them and many other prominent orchestras all over the United States and Europe. Says Jannelle Gelfand of The Cincinnati Enquirer, “The group’s incomparable blend, hip delivery and great arrangements resulted in one swinging party. Their four-part harmonizing was so close, it was hard to tell where one voice ended and another began.”
On the heals of the Pops Big Band book, the Baby Boomer Bash followed. In this program, they feature the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, the Mamas and the Papas, the Carpenters, and many more. More recently, this project has involved into a Swingin’ Seventies program, with the addition of repertoire from Carole King, Chicago, Queen, the Bee Gees and many more.
In 2005, NYV created a spectacular Christmas program drawing on both sacred and secular holiday songs. They have performed this program with numerous symphonies, including the Boston Pops, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Napa Valley Symphony and the Bologna Philharmonic.
2007 marks the release of their 7th studio CD, A Day Like This. They went back to their tradition of mixing things up; Brazilian influences, swinging trio numbers and a few big band romps. They also included a handful of original songs from the members, a particular strong suit for this multi-talented ensemble. Says All About Jazz LA, “a sumptuous collection of vocal harmonic heaven… the vocals are a Whitman’s Sampler of various flavors and tastes, richer than a dark chocolate bon bon.”
Besides their own CDs, NYV has made many guest artist appearances on recordings and live performances that have earned them critical acclaim and demand in a variety of musical settings. You can find their performances on such CDs as the Grammy Award winning, Count Basie Orchestra with New York Voices, Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild (MCG Records), the Latin Grammy Award winning, Brazilian Dreams with Paquito D'Rivera, Rober Lepley’s contemporary classical project, Visions Within (MSR Records), Heirs to Jobim (BMG Records), Don Sebesky's, I Remember Bill (BMG), Jim Hall's, By Arrangement (Telarc), A Love Affair - the Music of Ivan Lins (TELARC), Irving Berlin's, Louisiana Purchase (DRG), and many more. They have had the pleasure of performing with a variety of influential artists including Ray Brown, Patti Austin, George Benson, the Metropole Orchestra, the WDR Big Band, and the Count Basie Orchestra. They continue to tour with both Paquito D’Rivera and Ivan Lins, presenting two independent programs of outstanding Brazilian music.
Along with their extensive concert performances and recording dates, NYV also works in the field of education, giving workshops and clinics at high schools and universities throughout the world. After years of developing their philosophy, they launched the New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camp in collaboration with Bowling Green State University in Ohio in the summer of 2009. As part of the curriculum, they offer individual coaching, ensembles, vocal technique, improvisation, vocal arranging, music business, song writing and more. Due to its overwhelming success, it has become an annual event.
NYV has traveled the globe with their elegant music, amazing audiences with their impeccable voices and stunning arrangements. They make what is highly technical seem effortless and joyful. “Live, they’re just as impressive to witness,” says Mathew Lurrie of Time Out Chicago. “We dare say there may be no better way to understand the wit and wink of jazz harmony than via these Voices.”
On an individual level, all four of the Voices are involved in a variety of projects including solo performances, recordings, teaching, writing and arranging - demonstrating each of their exceptional musical gifts.
