11/26/2024
🎶✨ Composer Spotlight: Jennifer Barnes ✨🎶
We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on Jennifer Barnes, one of the most exceptional and versatile vocalists in modern jazz! Known for her work as a live and studio vocalist, arranger, and educator, Jennifer has earned a stellar reputation across the music world.
Her debut CD "You Taught My Heart" was hailed by legendary jazz bassist Rufus Reid, who praised her ability to "integrate rich vocal quality, clarity of pitch and emotion," along with her remarkable skill for improvisation, which is “melodically and rhythmically interesting from the point of view of a jazz instrumentalist.” Jennifer’s voice has graced commercials for major brands like Chili’s, Epson, McDonald’s, and Kellogg’s, and she’s even performed for television shows and films, including Glee, Ice Age 2 & 3, Star Trek, and Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief.
In addition to her performing career, Jennifer is deeply committed to jazz education. She has been an influential educator at institutions like the University of Miami, Roosevelt University, and the University of Southern California, and now resides at the University of North Texas as professor and director of vocal jazz studies. In addition, she has taught at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camps since 1998. Her vocal jazz ensembles have won numerous DownBeat awards, and she continues to be an active advocate for jazz education through her involvement with organizations like JEN (Jazz Education Network).
If you are looking to add more stellar vocal charts to your library, then look no farther and check out her works here!