Saturday, April 22, 10 am - 1 pm PT (Online Workshop)

Join vocalist, educator, author Ellen Johnson, and vocalist and researcher Glòria Vila in this unique workshop exploring the vocal repertoire of jazz legend Charles Mingus.

Although primarily known for his instrumental works, Mingus left a substantial depth of vocal repertoire, including his own lyrics and contributions from other musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Elvis Costello, Ellen Johnson, and others.

The workshop will cover analysis and historical information on both recently discovered early works as well as later and notable compositions. Musicians have only recently discovered many of these compositions as they are added to concerts and recordings within the jazz community. Ellen and Glòria will introduce and discuss this repertoire, providing handouts, lead sheets with lyrics, and analysis of selected compositions.

This workshop is valuable for both vocalists and instrumentalists who want to gain more access to Mingus’s repertoire or have a deeper knowledge of his extensive contributions. Attending this workshop will give you a deeper appreciation for Mingus’s vocal works and allow you to learn about his unique contributions to the jazz canon. Whether you’re a vocalist looking to incorporate Mingus’s repertoire into your performances or an instrumentalist seeking to expand your knowledge of his work, this workshop is a valuable opportunity to learn from two experienced vocalists and researchers.

Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the vocal repertoire of one of the most influential figures in jazz history and gain new insights that will help you take your own performances to the next level!

About Ellen Johnson

Ellen Johnson has been enamored and involved with the music of Charles Mingus for over three decades including recording six Mingus compositions and contributing original lyrics to five of them. Besides giving workshops and seminars, Johnson has performed Mingus compositions in concert, club and other venues and shares her lyrics with other vocalists to sing. Her debut recording featured legendary saxophonist Charles McPherson (a member of the Mingus band) on the song “Peggy’s Blue Skylight” with her original lyrics. Ellen has performed with Louie Bellson, Bobby McFerrin, Sheila Jordan, Roy McCurdy, Don Braden, Larry Koonse, and John Stowell, among many notable musicians. Johnson is the author of the biography Jazz Child: Portrait of Sheila Jordan and has a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance serving on the voice faculties of the University of San Diego /Old Globe Theatre MFA program, Cal Poly University Pomona, and the California Jazz Conservatory/Jazzschool along with other colleges. She is thrilled to share this seminar with Glòria Vila since they share the same passion for the music of Charles Mingus. Ellen is currently involved with her research, studies and workshops on Sound Healing: Music As Medicine. www.ellenjohnson.net and www.vocalvisions.net

About Glòria Vila
 
Glòria Vila is a jazz vocalist currently pursuing a PhD in Arts and education at the Universitat de Girona in her home country of Spain with an emphasis on vocal pedagogy and technology. Her adoration of the music of Charles Mingus compelled her to research the lesser known and early compositions of his vocal repertoire. Her interest in this vocal literature led her to collaborate with vocalist, educator and author Ellen Johnson who had already been researching Mingus vocal compositions and sharing them with the public through concerts, seminars and workshops. Glòria completed her master’s degree from the Liceu Conservatory in Barcelona with a final concert revolving around Mingus vocal repertoire and a research paper entitled, Charles Mingus: recopilación y análisis de su repertorio vocal (Charles Mingus: Collection and Analysis of his Vocal Repertoire.)