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Vanessa Rubin

Revered as both a torchbearer and a storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth and playful lioness sass. The Cleveland native brings a wealth of diverse influences to her vocal performance from both the Trinidadian/Caribbean roots of her mother and traditional jazz by way of her Louisiana-born father. Additional homespun influences include the melodic bell tone clarity of a young Capital Records recording artist, Nancy Wilson, the fire of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, the sweet sounds of trumpeter Blue Mitchell as well as her love of the Motown Sound…especially girl groups like the Supremes.

Rubin’s passion for rich musical stories are evidenced throughout her eight albums thus far plus numerous guest appearances. Highlights include the evocative “Voyager II” from the pen of Teri Thornton, “Inside a Silent Tear” written by Blossom Dearie, a refashioned waltz version of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” lyricized by New York Voices and an arrangement of “Superwoman” by Stevie Wonder insipired by the Ahmad Jamal recording of “Poinciana”. So while she has one foot planted in tradition – sticking close to timeless melodies and exquisite vocal forms – Rubin waxes adventurous, embracing stories lesser told while employing lessons of acclaimed storytellers in song such as Carmen McRae, Shirley Horn and Freddy Cole. “They mastered the art of believability”, Rubin asserts. Additionally, Rubin continues to back her way into The Blues with an urgent appreciation for soulful mentors like Etta Jones and Irene Reid. Also among her current endeavors is highlighting and interpreting well known, obscure and new lyrical works of composer/arranger/pianist Tadd Dameron. “I hope to do for Tadd’s music what Carmen McRae did for Monk’s music”, Rubin explained.

Vanessa’s journey to becoming a jazz singer could be said to have begun at an early age. She was characterized by her mother as always being “a very vocal child,” and knew Vanessa would, “do something with that big ol’ mouth of hers.” Coming from parents who valued academia, discipline and hard work, that “something” was meant to be law school. Attaining a BA from the The Ohio State School of Journalism in 1979 was not a disappointment. However, her decision to pursue a career jazz singing did come as a surprise. Vanessa’s fascination with language coupled with her passion for music, especially jazz, pointed her on a collision course toward jazz performance.

Her “a-ha” moment came during a college beauty pageant at which Vanessa was accompanied by a very young, and even then, a very capable Bobby Floyd of Columbus, Ohio. Her first performance of a jazz evergreen, the Billie Holiday original “God Bless The Child,” garnered both rousing applause and the winning talent award. Most importantly though, it awakened what Vanessa describes as “her calling.” “I fell in love with the moment, the music, the audience and the effect it had on them and me,” Rubin remembers.

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5
Album Review

Rodney Whitaker with the Christ Church Cranbrook Choir: Cranbrook Christmas Jazz

Read "Cranbrook Christmas Jazz" reviewed by Troy Dostert


Bassist Rodney Whitaker has been a huge presence in Michigan jazz for decades, with his leadership of the Michigan State University jazz program complementing his many other projects and giving him the opportunity to mentor upcoming generations of jazz talent. He has become a crucial ambassador for the music as well, with community outreach being a critical aspect of his mission. One of his most essential endeavors has been his status since 2015 as Artist in Residence at Christ Church ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Lee Morgan, Mike Downes & Nick Sanders

Read "Lee Morgan, Mike Downes & Nick Sanders" reviewed by Joe Dimino


With a legendary voice out of jny: Cleveland, Ohio on an ablum paying full respects to Tadd Dameron, we start the 599th episode of Neon Jazz with the tune “Kitchenette Across the Hall." From there, we listen to Sarah Vaughan and hear the great Tadd Dameron with his Sextet with the tune “The Squirrel." As the hour unfolds, we look into the life and music of Canadian cat Jonathan Bauer on the horn with “Blues Funk." We also shine the ...

2
Album Review

Vanessa Rubin: The Dream Is You: Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron

Read "The Dream Is You: Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


Tadd Dameron is regarded as the great romantic of bebop-era jazz composers, a writer with a talent for creating smooth, memorable melodies that could evoke real emotion. Most of his works are known mainly as instrumentals but Vanessa Rubin has compiled lyrics written for some of his tunes, had new lyrics written for others and even provided words to one herself. This recording of her efforts is, surprisingly, the first ever all-vocal set of Tadd Dameron's music. Rubin's ...

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Bailey's Bundles

Ten Artists: February 2019

Read "Ten Artists: February 2019" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Cecilia Bartoli Antonio Vivaldi Decca 2018 2019 marks the thirtieth anniversary of mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli recording for Decca, her label for the duration of her career. Bartoli's first recording was Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia (London/Decca, 1989) opposite famous baritone Leo Nucci. My own introduction to Bartoli was through her Mozart Arias (London/Decca, 1991). For full disclosure, Ms. Bartoli was so beautiful that I purchased that recording based on the cover alone. 20 years ago, ...

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Album Review

Vanessa Rubin: Girl Talk

Read "Girl Talk" reviewed by Dave Nathan


This, Vanessa Rubin's second album for Telarc, is one of her best. The play list is varied and the arrangements allow plenty of room to strut her personality and versatility. There's a “that's all folks" scat coda on “Comes Love". “Matchmaker" is a swinging waltz with Eric Alexander's Coltrane influenced sax delving in and around the melody line. She dubs herself in as a backup vocalist on a having some fun “Sex Is a Misdemeanor (the More You Miss De ...

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165

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival, Yellowjackets, Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Del McCoury Band, Vanessa Rubin, and More

Jazz This Week: Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival, Yellowjackets, Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Del McCoury Band, Vanessa Rubin, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

It's another busy week for jazz and creative music in St. Louis, with a number of touring musicians and groups performing here over the next several days in styles ranging from traditional New Orleans jazz to big band to fusion to free improv. Let's go to the highlights: Tonight, the electric jazz/fusion group Yellowjackets returns to St. Louis to open a four-night stand at Jazz at the Bistro. The 'Jackets have been regular visitors to St. Louis, though this will ...

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Performance / Tour

Vanessa Rubin to Perform Monday, April 18 at Siue

Vanessa Rubin to Perform Monday, April 18 at Siue

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Singer Vanessa Rubin (pictured) is coming back to the St. Louis area to perform at 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 18 in the Dunham Hall Theater at SIUE. The free concert will feature Rubin and SIUE's vocal jazz ensemble, which is under the direction of Reggie Thomas. The event is sponsored by SIUE's Singer's Society, a new student organization at the university, which also will present a masterclass with Rubin during the day Monday, time and location TBA. Rubin was in ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Vanessa Rubin as Billie Holiday, Jay Oliver, the Bosman Twins, McElwee's "Modular Mazes" and More

Jazz This Week: Vanessa Rubin as Billie Holiday, Jay Oliver, the Bosman Twins, McElwee's "Modular Mazes" and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

From a dramatic portrayal of a legendary diva to some straight-ahead and soulful jazz to a multimedia event with video, animation and an improvised soundtrack, there's lots going on in St. Louis this weekend to interest fans of jazz and creative music. Let's go to the highlights:Tonight, the Black Rep presents the first performance of its production of Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday starring Vanessa Rubin (pictured) as Holiday. The show runs Wednesdays through Sundays at the ...

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Performance / Tour

Vanessa Rubin to Star in Black Rep's Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday

Vanessa Rubin to Star in Black Rep's Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Singer Vanessa Rubin (pictured) is coming to St. Louis to star in the Black Rep's production of Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday, which will run Wednesday, February 24 through Sunday, March 14 at the Grandel Theater, 3610 Grandel Square (just west of Grand Ave).The play by Reenie Upchurch tells the story of Holiday's last performance at a New York club, incorporating songs such as “My Man", “Strange Fruit", “Fine and Mellow" and “God Bless the Child."

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Performance / Tour

Jazz Vocalist Vanessa Rubin at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music April 8

Jazz Vocalist Vanessa Rubin at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music April 8

Source: All About Jazz

Jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin will perform with her trio at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at 8:00 p.m., as part of the Conservatory's popular Jazz at the Conservatory series. The evening will feature performances of songs from The Great American Songbook, as well as originals. Tickets are $25; $15 for student/seniors and are available now by calling the Conservatory at 718-622-3300.

Vanessa Rubin was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio to parents from Trinidad and ...

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Music Industry

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER INAUGURATES NEW SERIES - SINGERS OVER MANHATTAN - WITH VANESSA RUBIN & KEVIN MAHOGANY

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER INAUGURATES NEW SERIES - SINGERS OVER MANHATTAN - WITH VANESSA RUBIN & KEVIN MAHOGANY

Source: All About Jazz

VANESSA RUBIN performs in first half, followed by KEVIN MAHOGANY, backed by the same rhythm section of pianist RENEE ROSNES, bassist CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, and drummer LEWIS NASH. Singers on future concerts are FREDDY COLE, MARY STALLINGS, MILT GRAYSON, and MARLENA SHAW.

Jazz at Lincoln Center (J@LC) will kick off the latest addition to its popular Jazz at the Penthouse concerts - the Singers Over Manhattan series - with two of the most talented vocalists today, VANESSA RUBIN and KEVIN MAHOGANY, ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Cranbrook Christmas...

Origin Records
2021

buy

The Dream Is You:...

Nibur Records
2019

buy

Girl Talk

Telarc Records
2001

buy

New Horizons

On Records
1997

buy

In the Bleak Midwinter

From: Cranbrook Christmas Jazz
By Vanessa Rubin

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