Voice

A number of A cappella groups and collaborations capture me each time I listen. The reason is this: new musical styles and instruments are constantly created, but the human voice can always keep up with all of those sounds. Some of my favorite music is a particular brand of vocalization - not employing a singer or singers, but vocalists. That means people that use their boca; their mouth.
In the music world, between singers and musicians there is a constant search instrumentalists do to sound like a human voice, and singers to sound more like instruments. Some of my favorites are:
Rahzel, the Slammin' All Body Band, Bobby Mcferrin & Voicestra, Gary Eckert, and Björk's Medúlla album. One good instrumental equivalent of these guys are the Hornheads.

Nanu, Nanu

Each year for nearly a decade, Dallas residents and many young musicians from all across America come to listen to first-rate performances at the North Texas Addison Jazz Festival. Addison brought together many virtuosos: pictured above is the One O'Clock Lab Band featuring Brian Donohoe on soprano saxophone. Below,vocalist Rosana Eckert. If you're a a Bobby McFerrin fan, you'll want to catch Rosana's husband Gary Eckert singing with McFerrin's Voicestra this Spring.


Guest artist: pianist Kenny Barron, below


Below: One of my past teachers and excellent jazz cat, Mike Steinel


Drummer Ross Pederson, with the One O'Clock


The Jazz Station in Dallas Fort Worth is KNTU FM 88.1, The One. I've DJed on this station quite a bit. Pictured below is the MC for the night Mark Lambert. Formerly with AP News, Mark is the Program Manager at KNTU.


You can listen on your radio to KNTU FM 88.1 in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and even as far as Oklahoma. Or just log in to KNTU.com and listen anywhere in the world.

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