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.

Signature Ensembles

Signature Ensembles
2023

Sunday 13 November 2016

AUTUMN SHOWCASE 2016 SUNDAY NOV. 20TH, 8PM

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"Liquid Architecture"
Sunday Nov. 20th
PTY Recital Hall
UVic School of Music
Admission by Donation

Sunday 11 September 2016

Auditions Monday Sept. 12th

Monday September 12th
5:30pm to 9pm
Room B016
UVic School of Music
If you haven't already, sign up for an audition time!

Bring your completed Singer Information Sheet.
Extra copies of the Information Sheet will be available at the door.

Copies of the Audition Material are available at this blog. Click on the Audition Page.

Reminder: Wednesday, Sept. 14th: score pick-up and reading session at 6pm.

Friday 2 September 2016

VOCAL JAZZ 2016 Auditions, Meet & Greet Wednesday, Sept. 7th


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Hey singers! Need a fun elective? Need 2.0 units? Why join the UVic Vocal Jazz Ensemble?

Check out the AUDITION PAGE! Check out the Vocal Jazz Experience page!

Come to the Meet & Greet and meet other singers and get additional information about the auditions. We have a singalong that prepares you for the audition.

Hard copies of the Audition material will be made available at the Meet & Greet.

Come join us!

There are three ensembles under the Vocal Jazz umbrella:
  • UVJAZZ RED - competitive audition
  • UVJAZZ BLUE - competitive audition
  • UVic Jazz Chorale - placement audition, everyone welcome!

Saturday 16 April 2016

2016 Spring Showcase Pics

Except where noted (UVJE), all photos by Emily Liu.

Spring Showcase 2016

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Harlem Nocturne

Tango Tableaux

UVic Jazz Singers

UVic Jazz Singers

Thursday 31 March 2016

2016 Spring Showcase: April 3rd

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featuring

UVic Voices
UVic Jazz Singers
20 Something - under the direction of Nicholas Renaud
UVic Jazz Chorale
Las Bisagras
Sophisticated Ladies
MENtality featuring Greg Baan-Meiklejohn
&
UVic's signature vocal jazz group...
Lush Life

Monday 21 March 2016

March 2016 Demiero Jazz Festival

The UVic Vocal Jazz Ensemble sixteen voice touring group "Lush Life" ventured south to the city of Edmonds, Washington, for the Frank Demiero Jazz Fest. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Festival, March 10th-12th, the group had the privilege of performing four works for legendary educators and musicians Dave Barduhn and Kirby Shaw. The group and soloists received glowing reviews from the adjudicators, organizers and an enthusiastic audience.

Brittney Jette, Taylor Caswell, Ryan Narciso, Jilaine Orton and Natasha Penfield received Outstanding Artist recognition for their solo performances.

The Ensemble was accompanied by Gabriel Lagos, pianist, who performed brilliantly as always!

Members of the Ensemble attended the Friday evening concert featuring Carmen Bradford, Dee Daniels, Charenee Wade, Kirby Shaw, Seattle Voices, Dave Barduhn and the DeMiero Jazz Fest All Star Band composed of Bruce Forman, Dave Tull, Jay Leonhart and Josh Nelson.

The Ensemble also participated in an engaging and highly informative scat singing workshop on Saturday with the amazing vocalist and mentor Greta Matassa.

Ensemble members noted and appreciated how there was equal emphasis both on music education and performance during the Festival. To be sure, we were among master educators and exceptional performers at the Frank Demiero Jazz Festival.

After Saturday's performance, the group went for dinner at Ohana's where by chance they met Ensemble alumni Chris Adams (2006-2007) who happened to be travelling back from Oregon en route to Vancouver, BC.

"All aboard!" Performance for BC Ferry passengers.

Kirk Marcy | FDJFestival

Kirk Marcy | FDJFestival


Ensemble with Kirby Shaw


Kirk Marcy | FDJFestival

Sunday 24 January 2016

Singing Valentines 2016



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Our eleventh year of sharing the joy and love through song!

Clink on the link to reserve a group of professional singers who will serenade your Valentine and present that special someone with a card with your personal message!




We will present your Valentine gift anytime on the following days:
5PM - 10PM on February 13
10AM - 8PM on February 14
There is no better way to impress (or embarrass) your loved one than by giving them their own, personal singing Valentine. So, contact us early!

We will take orders on Valentine's Day! If you want to be spontaneous and romantic, text us at 587-284-2259.

IMPORTANT: Contact us at uvicheartsong@gmail.com, stating your name, telephone number, location, and the preferred time for your Valentine serenade BEFORE you buy your ticket! We may need to do some back and forth communication to fit them into our schedule.

*** Please note: The email confirmation for ticket may say that the event starts at 5PM, February 13th. We will, of course, be coming to your Valentine at whatever day and time you specifically discussed with us!

Felicitas Fundraiser Fun

Thanks to the combined talents and efforts of singers and instrumentalists—with a special nod to Taylor and Cody for their organizational efforts—the Vocal Jazz Ensemble raised over $600 last night at the Singin' & Swingin' fundraiser.

Congratulations to all the singers for their achievement, professionalism and enthusiasm!

Recording session next Saturday to include Waltz For DebbyIf I Only Had A Brain, and others.

Friday 22 January 2016

Singin' & Swinging Fundraiser at Felicitas Campus Pub

Members of the UVic Vocal Jazz Ensemble perform at Felicitas this Saturday.




Hot and cool standards.

Saturday, January 23rd
8pm

Raise a glass in support of Vocal Jazz.
Stop by for some blues and a beer.
Drink responsibly!