UNC Jazz Press

NEW YORK VOICES is the Grammy Award winning vocal ensemble renowned for their excellence in jazz and the art of group singing. Like the great groups that have come before, such as Lambert, Hendrick and Ross, Singers Unlimited, Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, they have learned from the best and taken the art form to new levels. Their interests are rooted in jazz, but often Brazilian, R & B, classical and pop influences are included with equal creativity and authenticity. The group was formed in 1987 by Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge, Kim Nazarian, Caprice Fox and Sara Krieger. By way of explanation, Darmon, Peter Kim and Caprice attended Ithaca College in New York and were part of an invitational alumni group formed to tour the Europen Jazz Festivals in the summer of 1986. As a result of this exciting experience, the idea of forming a professional group was born. In 1989 they would sign their first record deal with GRP Records and release their self titled debut album, New York Voices. The group received rave notices and quickly received domestic and international recognition in the Jazz World. From 1989 to 1994, they released four CD's on the GRP Label, Hearts of Fire, What's Inside and The Collection. While recording for GRP, they underwent personnel changes. In 1992, Sara Krieger retired her chair and after auditioning over 60 vocalists from all over the U.S., the group found Lauren Kinhan. There was an immediate chemistry in fit and sound, allowing the group to make a quick transition and fast become the "new" New York Voices. Lauren's first musical contributions can be heard on the third CD, What's Inside. In early 1994, Caprice Fox left the group, forever fixing New York Voices as the quartet it is today. Besides their own CD's, NYVoices has made many guest appearances on recordings and live performances that have earned them critical acclaim and demand in a variety of musical settings. You can find their performances on such CD's as their Grammy award-winning collaboration, Count Basie Orchestra with the New York Voices, Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild (MCG REcords), the contemporary classical The Anicent Tower (Robert Lepley-EarthBeat Records), Heirs to Jobim (BMG Reocrds), Don Sebesky's I Remember Bill (BMG), Jim Halls' By Arrangement (Telarc), A Love Affair- the Music of Ivan Lins (TELARC), Irving Berlin's Louisiana Purchase (DRG) and many more. They have had the pleasure of performing with a number of influential jazz artist including Ray Brown, Bobby McFerrin, Nancy Wilson, George Benson and the like. Along with their extensive concert performances and recording dates, NYVoices also works in the field of education, giving workshops and clinics to high school and college music students. Individually, the four members are involved in a variety of projects including solo performances and recordings, teaching, writing and arranging. The group hopes to continue to explore all styles of music and expand their audience for years to come.