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Atla DeChamplain
In 2003, Atla had the opportunity to sing at the Monterey Jazz Festival with her award winning high school jazz choir (The Real Ambassadors, led by Dianne Mower). Jazz legend Jon Hendricks sang with the choir and personally invited Atla to study with him at the University of Toledo. She accepted the offer and studied with Hendricks for 1 year. She then transferred to the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music and formed a trio with Matt DeChamplain (piano) and Adam Cote (bass). She worked under bassist Nat Reeves and trombonist Steve Davis and studied with vocalists Shawnn Monteiro and Dena DeRose. She completed her Bachelors Degree magna cum laude. She continued her education at the University of Toledo, where she received her Masters degree with a full scholarship. She worked as Jon Hendricks assistant and researched vocal jazz pedagogy as it relates to the performer. She currently resides in Berlin, CT. She performs regularly with her husband, pianist, Matt DeChamplain. Notable Performances: Atla has had the honor of performing with Jon Hendricks, Kurt Elling, Laurence Hobgood, Jose Feliciano, Nat Reeves & Steve Davis. INSPIRATION: ELLA FITZGERALD, NAT KING COLE, BOBBY MCFERRIN, KURT ELLING, JON HENDRICKS
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Earl MacDonald: Open Borders
by Jack Bowers
Open Borders brings to the fore Canadian-born pianist Earl MacDonald's burnished tentet in a program that consists of eleven sunlit and swinging themes, five of which were composed by the leader. Besides writing, MacDonald did most of the arranging, and he excels in both arenas, as he does on piano (most notably on the standards Blame It On My Youth" and East of the Sun" as well as on Percy Mayfield's R&B classic Hit the Road Jack" and his own ...
read moreEarl MacDonald: Open Borders
by Mike Jurkovic
Not many piano led ensembles finds the pianist laying as far back in the musical dialogue as Earl MacDonald, who doesn't come anywhere near an extended solo until Miles Apart" and Percy Mayfield's Ray Charles blow- out Hit The Road Jack" (tracks five and six respectively). But that's just fine given that MacDonald has charted the conversations and man oh man, do these arrangements crackle with spirit.From the high-flying Dig In Buddy" to the exhilarating Latin flavors Dolphy ...
read moreEarl MacDonald: Open Borders
by Dan Bilawsky
Politicians might do well to take a few pointers from pianist-arranger Earl MacDonald. As this fine album attests to, it's far better to build bridges than walls, and far more productive to open borders and dialogue than close hearts, minds, and doors. While MacDonald didn't initially set out to make a political statement with this recording, both the events of the day and the make-up of the marvelously tight dectet that brings this music to life got ...
read more“I've known Atla for some years now and I must say, she has been moving by leaps and bounds towards stardom as a jazz vocalist. Last time I heard her she was sounding' like someone ready to git up and go wherever she wants to." - Jon Hendricks "Atla DeChamplain is a singer's singer. She is a cross between Jon Hendricks and Ella Fitzgerald. It doesn't get any better" - Shawn Monteiro "Matt & Atla are a classy duo!! They are so musically attuned to each other and demonstrate great contact with the listeners. Really more than worthwhile." -Donn Trenner
Primary Instrument
Vocals
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
It’s a privilege to share what we love! If you’re interested in studying music, Matt and I would love to help you. We work with musicians of all ages and experience and we are now accepting students in the Greater Hartford (CT) area. Our goal is to help each student enjoy the process of learning and making music. We strive to make sure our students are both challenged and encouraged in their lessons. We believe students are most successful when they engage in their art form from a variety of different angles. In our lessons we focus on: - Music Theory - Music History - Technique - Repertoire Building - Interpretation & Style Our studio specializes in: Piano Lessons: Jazz, Ragtime, Stride, Gospel and Classical Voice Lessons: Jazz, Gospel , Pop and Musical Theatre Small Ensemble Lessons: Duo’s to small Combo’s for more info, please visit:http://atladechamplain.com/dechamplain- studio/