Singer, Lyricist, Arranger, Writer, Band Leader &
Arts Educator Working her way through multiple music degrees, Janice Jarrett sang blues, soul, rock, classical and new music, adding a few world musics along the way. In her own bands, it was jazz. Although rooted in the heart of the jazz singer’s deep and diverse legacy, early on Jarrett expanded her book with lesser known gems and range- challenging vocalizations. Coming up alongside some of the best in jazz, she kept finding original music, too often instrumental music, that moved and inspired her. Her thoughtful, respectful lyric writing came naturally out of her affinity and appreciation for these composers, and their work.
Before long, she had a rich collection of new interpretations. Some she arranged to form the bulk of Borrowed Time’s book, her LA-based five- voice jazz group, including works by Kenny Barron, George Cables, Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Russ and Moacir Santos. In time, like Cables's "Blue Nights," Barron's "Illusion," Hubbard's "Skydive," and Santos's "Kathy" and "Jequie," composers brought more compositions to her for her lyrics.
What makes a musician's work worth a good listen? That mysterious mix of familiar with fresh? Or simply, originality, the personal ‘voice’ jazz musicians say you must find to really play the music? Over time, Jarrett’s lyrics have quietly traveled on their own from singer to singer - to New York, to Paris, to Japan, Australia. Like Jarrett, these singers heard something they wanted to sing. Jarrett has finally released her own CD, Blue Nights & Sunshower, an overdue first look at a unique library of a singular jazz ‘voice’ showcasing standard-worthy, beautiful compositions.
About her vocal group/arrangements during her time in LA : “A group so
captivating and vivacious as Borrowed Time is bound to be heard from. It’s
an exciting, polished jazz vocal ensemble whose five members can easily
handle any contemporary style from hard-edged jazz-rock to sensitive
ballads.... These artists listen to each other and they are amazingly
precise....Most (tunes) were arranged by Jarrett who chooses warm, pleasing
harmonies.” Zan Stewart, Los Angeles Times
Primary Instrument
Vocals
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Credentials/Background
Ph.D. Ethnomusicology, M. A. World Music, Wesleyan University,
Connecticut
B.A. Music, Composition & Voice, Antioch College, Ohio
Current
Vocal Technique Studio, Private Instruction, Sole Proprietor
Arizona Humanities Council Speaker’s Bureau, Scholar
Former
Prime School of Music, Head Vocal Instructor, Tucson, Arizona
Director, University of Arizona Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Adjunct
Instructor, School of Music and Dance, Tucson, Arizona
The Learning Curve, Instructor, Lecture Series
University of New Haven (CT),
Thomas Jefferson College (Grand Valley State, Michigan)
MUSE Jazz Workshops (Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY)
Hull House Music and Arts (East Troy, Wisconsin)
Antioch College/University (Yellow Springs, Ohio and Los Angeles,
California)
Guitar Institute of Technology (Los Angeles, California)
University of Arizona Extension Division (Tucson, Arizona)
Curricular Development
Community Arts Programs (New Haven), College Fine Arts (Grand Valley
State Colleges), Integrated Arts (Middle School Pilot Program)
Scholar/Speaker/Lecturer
Public lectures (arts, music and culture): Borders Books and Music, Arts
Encounters for UAPresents, various academic national and regional
conferences
Scholar with the Arizona Humanities Council Speakers Bureau, statewide
lectures (1999-2000, 2005-2006, 2006-2007)
Freelance: Various universities and professional venues
Grants
Research Grants to Greece (Doctoral Research, Wesleyan University)
Music is a Metaphor I and II: Interdisciplinary Visiting Artists Project
(Middle/High School, Education), Arizona Commission on the Arts,
Open Studio Grant (Web design), Tucson Pima Arts Council
Turning Information Into Knowledge: curricular development grant from
the University of Arizona for Student Centered statewide educational
initiative
Clinic/Workshop Information
Read more
Primary Instrument
Vocals
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Credentials/Background
Ph.D. Ethnomusicology, M. A. World Music, Wesleyan University,
Connecticut
B.A. Music, Composition & Voice, Antioch College, Ohio
Current
Vocal Technique Studio, Private Instruction, Sole Proprietor
Arizona Humanities Council Speaker’s Bureau, Scholar
Former
Prime School of Music, Head Vocal Instructor, Tucson, Arizona
Director, University of Arizona Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Adjunct
Instructor, School of Music and Dance, Tucson, Arizona
The Learning Curve, Instructor, Lecture Series
University of New Haven (CT),
Thomas Jefferson College (Grand Valley State, Michigan)
MUSE Jazz Workshops (Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY)
Hull House Music and Arts (East Troy, Wisconsin)
Antioch College/University (Yellow Springs, Ohio and Los Angeles,
California)
Guitar Institute of Technology (Los Angeles, California)
University of Arizona Extension Division (Tucson, Arizona)
Curricular Development
Community Arts Programs (New Haven), College Fine Arts (Grand Valley
State Colleges), Integrated Arts (Middle School Pilot Program)
Scholar/Speaker/Lecturer
Public lectures (arts, music and culture): Borders Books and Music, Arts
Encounters for UAPresents, various academic national and regional
conferences
Scholar with the Arizona Humanities Council Speakers Bureau, statewide
lectures (1999-2000, 2005-2006, 2006-2007)
Freelance: Various universities and professional venues
Grants
Research Grants to Greece (Doctoral Research, Wesleyan University)
Music is a Metaphor I and II: Interdisciplinary Visiting Artists Project
(Middle/High School, Education), Arizona Commission on the Arts,
Open Studio Grant (Web design), Tucson Pima Arts Council
Turning Information Into Knowledge: curricular development grant from
the University of Arizona for Student Centered statewide educational
initiative
Clinic/Workshop Information
Workshops/Demonstrations for various colleges, schools and organizations
for Jazz Singing, Lyrics, Vocalists
Freelance Talks on Music and Art, Culture
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