Alexa is joined by Michele Weir, a renowned figure in vocal jazz education and arranging. Michele is the founder of the online school Music Habit and the creator of the app ScatAbility. Additionally, she has written several books on jazz, so who better to talk you through the topic of how to sing and teach this genre?

KEY MOMENTS

‘No two jazz singers are alike’ 

‘Jazz comes in different packages, it’s not always about a well trained voice’ 

‘Phrasing is a bigger deal in jazz than it is in other styles’ 

‘I want to be leader of the band so I need to talk to them in the musical language they understand’ 

RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS

• Artists mentioned: Joni Mitchell; Louis Armstrong; Benny Goodman; Count Basie; Charlie Parker; Dizzy Gillespie; Miles Davis; Ella Fitzgerald; Nat King Cole; Sarah Vaughan; Carmen McRae; Nancy Wilson; Mel Tormé; Gretchen Parlato; Bob Dylan
• ScatAbility App: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/scatability/id966549564
• The work of Judy Niemack: http://www.judyniemack.com/
• The work of Bob Stoloff: https://www.bobstoloffmusic.com/
• Darmon Meader: https://darmonmeader.com/
• New York Voices: https://newyorkvoices.com/<
• Jazz Voice: https://www.jazzvoice.com/

 
ABOUT THE GUEST
 
Michele Weir is widely distinguished for her work in vocal jazz education and arranging. She served as vocal producer and contributing arranger for the Manhattan Transfer album, Chick Corea Songbook, and her vocal arrangements are performed by notable groups, including Swingle Singers and New York Voices, with instrumental works played by the Boston Pops, among others. Michele has delivered teaching and lecture presentations all over the world, and pioneered an educational path for vocal improvisers through the creation of her iOS app, ScatAbility. She is the author of several educational books in jazz. Her online school, MusicHabit, is a popular resource for jazz singers, pianists and educators. Michele's past performance ranges from headliner concerts at numerous educational festivals to touring internationally as pianist and vocalist with singer Bobby Vinton. Michele was a member of the Grammy-Nominated vocal group PM Singers and served as dubbing supervisor for the DreamWorks film Prince of Egypt in Mexico, Greece, Denmark, Portugal, Thailand and Japan.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Website:

• Michele Weir: https://www.micheleweir.com
• Music Habit: https://www.musichabit.com

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