THE UVIC VOCAL JAZZ MAINSTREAM & IMPROVISATIONAL ENSEMBLE has established a reputation for artistic excellence, stylistic flexibility and performances of original and inspiring arrangements. In addition to highly successful performances at the Powell River Vocal Summit and the Frank Demiero Jazz Fest, UVJMIE was the choral ensemble for The Best of Queen concert series with JEANS 'N CLASSICS and the VICTORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA under Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia. The Ensemble is well known for its fun-filled, filled-to-capacity audience engaging concerts. Our Autumn and Spring Vocal Jazz Showcases feature the Signature Studio Ensemble and various Spotlight Combos including Ellavation, and the UVic Vocal Jazz Stage Orchestra. The Ensemble has opened for the internationally acclaimed vocal groups GROOVE FOR THOUGHT and THE REAL GROUP, Canadian sensation COUNTERMEASURE, and has received high praise from legends Kirby Shaw and Dave Barduhn, and from master educators Vijay Singh, Peter Taylor and Janet Warren. Among our many distinguished alumni are MIKE EDEL and TWIN KENNEDY.

Tuesday, 10 December 2019

Autumn Showcase 2019: Coda

Congratulations to you all, Vocal Jazz singers, for an excellent and fun-filled presentation!

Photos by Emily Liu
Edited by W. Clanton

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Thursday, 28 November 2019

Winter Concert at Christ Church Cathedral: Saturday November 30th

Saturday, November 30, 2019
3:30 - 5:00 pm
Christ Church Cathedral
https://www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/events/tis-the-season/2019-11-30



More than 250 voices from the University of Victoria choirs join in harmony for this popular seasonal concert. Get into the holiday spirit with the UVic Chorus, Chamber Singers, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble directed by Adam Con, Susan Young, and Wendell Clanton, plus UVic brass players directed by Merrie Klazek. A cappella ensemble Fifth Street, featuring all UVic alumni, will make a guest appearance. Arrive early to get a seat! By donation.

Thursday, 12 September 2019

Auditions 2019

To all who participated in the 2019 Auditions - thank you! Thank you for your outstanding contributions. And - thank you to the Audition Team for your hard work! Ours was an enjoyable and challenging task to select from all the excellent performances those voices who comprise the two studio groups for this year.

Monday, 8 April 2019

UVIC Vocal Jazz "Best of Queen" with Jeans 'n Classics and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra

UVic Vocal Jazz with Jeans 'n Classics' Michael Shotton and Jennifer Martin

A heartfelt thanks and congratulations to members of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble who, at a very, very busy time of year, and in the wake of having performed an outstanding Spring Showcase, dedicated time and talent to a series of three inspired (sold out!) performances with Jeans ‘n Classics and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Joey Pietraroia.



The Ensemble is grateful to Mr. Bill Linwood who contracted the Ensemble for this exciting event.

Monday Magazine review by Don Descoteau:

After intermission 20 singers of University of Victoria’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble joined the group on stage. The addition of the young singers proved a perfect way to handle the complex vocal arrangements in Queen music.

The collective group led off what Shotton called the “anthemic” second half of the show with “We Will Rock You”/”We Are the Champions,” getting full participation from the enthusiastic audience in the stomping and clapping department.

The chorus shone in “Flash” and “I Want it All,” giving a real sense of vocal power to the proceedings, to which the charismatic Shotton appeared supremely impressed.

After performing the beautiful Brian May-penned ballad “Who Wants to Live Forever” and Mercury’s rousing “Don’t Stop Me Now,” the group launched into the highly anticipated finale, their thrilling six-minute rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” that again strongly featured the vocal chorus.


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Thank you Michael Shotton, Stephanie Martin and all the Jeans 'n Classics performers for your inspiration, graciousness and love of life!

Congratulations!!!

UVic Vocal Jazz Best of Queen Ensemble

Allie Bertholm - Coordinator
Connie Goetz - Pitch Coach
Lindsey Bellman
Evan Chorney
Chris Clarke
Liam Nelson
Robert Chamberland
Clay Dowdell
Carter Doyle
Matisse Edgar Yoshihara
Skye Eriksen
Ken Kosowick
Maddie Meech
Benedict Mendes
John Siewert
Patrick Schjelderup
Laura Smith
Jo Spry
Ross Sutherland
Addie Vasant
James Waddell

Wendell Clanton - Director


Royal Theatre Green Room

Saturday, 6 April 2019

Vocal Jazz with Victoria Symphony Orchestra

The Best of Queen

The University of Victoria Vocal Jazz Ensemble appears in concert with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.



Fri, April 5th 8:00 PM - 10:00 pm
Sat, April 6th 8:00 PM - 10:00 pm
Sun, April 7th 2:00 PM - 4:00 pm

Saturday, 16 February 2019

Post-Valentines 2019 Wrap-Up

2019 Valentines at Royal Jubilee Memorial Pavilion

Thank you - Clay, Cassidy, Ken, Jordan, Claire and Allie - for your contributions to the Singing Valentines event over two days. This year, because of the timing of Valentine's Day, the event was modest in its scope, though a couple of "Ambush Valentines", i.e., spontaneous presentations, were also presented, as is our custom of "sharing the love"! Though modest, it was and is important, for publicity purposes, to maintain a presence in the community by activating the website and multiple media contact points to continue this lively event established some 13 years ago by Vocal Jazz alum Ryan Noakes and crew.

Thank you to our generous patrons!

Thursday, 7 February 2019

2019 Felicita's Fundraiser Review

Congratulations and thank you to all who participated. A special note of thanks to Evan, who looked after the money, and to Will, Clay and Eric, the rhythm section. Thank you, singers, who did not sing but still attended to support your peers!

The staff at Felicita's were most appreciative of the event and, to quote one staff member who expressed the same sentiment as many others, including the bar staff, "Please do this (i.e., the Jazz Night) more often!"

Thanks, also, to Fifth Street - Ryan, Natasha, Taylor, Kenji and Jilaine - for their attendance and support! Thank you, Jilaine, for stepping in last minute to cover the alto part in Pass Me The Jazz.

We'll debrief the evening this coming Monday at rehearsal.

- W.

Tuesday, 29 January 2019

Singing Valentines, Valentine's Day 2019. Support Vocal Jazz!

Click on Image to Enlarge

Once again, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble is offering its ever popular Singing Valentines to romantics of the Capital Regional District.

Click on the link below to book a Valentine for that special someone — for a very reasonable rate!

Saturday, 26 January 2019

Vocal Jazz Night at UVic's Felicita's Pub Feb 6th

Join select members of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble as they heat up the stage at Felicita's Pub!

Thursday, 24 January 2019

Fifth Street @ PTY: Emerging Alumni Series Feb 2



Vocal Jazz Ensemble veterans to perform in Emerging Alumni Series!


The Victoria-based vocal quintet, Fifth Street, combines the worlds of pop, jazz and R&B in perfect five-part harmony. The sublime voices of Natasha Penfield, Jilaine Orton, Ryan Narciso, Kenji Lee and Taylor Caswell found a groove together while students at UVic and as members of the UVic Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

You’ll enjoy their original a cappella arrangements of pop hits such as Imogen Heap’s Hide and Seek and Morning Light by Justin Timberlake as well as fresh takes on timeless classics including Georgia On My Mind and What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve.

UVic Music alumni are invited to an exclusive pre-concert reception. There will be tasty hors d’oeuvres, door prizes, plus a special pre-concert appearance by Fifth Street.