Board member Elli Fordyce gives vocal workshop
On March 20th, American Jazz Venues Board member and jazz vocalist Elli Fordyce had the privilege of working with the Vocal Jazz Ensemble at George W. Hewlett High School (Long Island, NY) with Choral Director Eric Williams's students. The vocal work shop was the first of its kind to be included in the annual jazz event organized with AJV by Kevin R. Bayen, District Director of Music for the Hewlett-Woodmere Schools and AJV Board member.
Elli individually coached many of the vocalists, giving them practical concepts and exercises with which they can then coach each other and take-aways for use on each of their unique journeys. Teaching from a background of singing jazz since she was their age and, at 75, still performing, Elli knows most of that journey's joys and pitfalls and, more importantly, what to do to eliminate many of the issues singers experience. At Eric's invitation, Elli also provided a short demo for his choral class, singing several jazz arrangements from her CDs and answering their questions. Elli makes herself available to the singers for further mentoring.
As always, again this year the day included a full schedule of instrumental performances and break-out clinics, rehearsals with the MS and HS Jazz Ensembles, and an evening concert featuring several of the Districts' Jazz Ensembles and an AJV guest instrumentalist. Elli looks forward to being a part of future H-W/AJV jazz events, eagerly awaited each year by American Jazz Venues.
Review of Elli Fordyce and Tuber Trio Benefit Concert
May 24, 2012 at 07:59:00 PMYouth jazz recordings needed
May 20, 2012 at 09:05:00 PMBelow was emailed by jazz DJ Jim Compton-Schmidt who has been collecting and airing student/youth jazz recordings including contributions from AJV's Justin DiCioccio (Manhattan School of Music), Clem DeRosa (various schools and ages) and Rich DeRosa (University of North Texas).
Follow AJV on Twitter
Follow AJV on Facebook