Sunday, August 6, 11 am - 2 pm (in-person)

Join vocalist Tiffany Austin for a deep dive into the relationship between tone and interpretation–addressing both the technical and emotive aspects of vocal delivery. In addition to working through our own technique and song styling with an accompanist, we’ll also examine the method of tone production, inflection, and emotional impetus of some of our vocal greats, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Louis Armstrong. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of your vocal instrument on both anatomical and psychological levels while gaining a more embodied grasp of the African diasporic roots of classic swing music. 

Tiffany Austin is an exceptional vocalist, composer, educator, and Berkeley Law Juris Doctor. Renowned for her soulful delivery and captivating musical storytelling, she has shared stages with luminaries, including Pharoah Sanders, Roy Ayers, John Handy, Cyrus Chestnut, and Doug Carn. Her remarkable talent has graced prestigious venues like Birdland and Dizzy’s Den in NYC, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco. Beyond her home state of California, Tiffany has enchanted audiences across Europe, Asia, Australasia, and nationally televised programs in the United States. Her debut album, “Nothing But Soul” (2015), garnered critical acclaim, with NPR’s “Fresh Air” program and Downbeat magazine recognizing its bold reinterpretation of Hoagy Carmichael standards. Her sophomore release, “Unbroken” (2018), was hailed as a “fully formed masterpiece” by All About Jazz, received a glowing four-star review from Downbeat, and climbed to #16 on jazz radio charts. Tiffany is a respected guest educator at SFJAZZ, Stanford Jazz Workshop, and local school districts. She currently serves as the Musical Director of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival Community Choir and assumed the role of Artistic Director for the Albany, CA Juneteenth Celebration in 2022. Additionally, she has taught at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s “Roots, Jazz, and American Music” program, showcasing her dedication to music education and mentorship.