Stephanie Nakasian

Stephanie Nakasian first came to international attention in the mid-80's when she sang and toured with the vocal jazz group Jon Hendricks and Company - her 'vocal jazz apprenticeship.' Since then, she has toured and recorded as a duo with her partner and internationally celebrated bebop pianist Hod O'Brien. Together with their daughter Veronica they make their home in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Since 1980 Ms. Nakasian has been actively recording. Her debut CD "Comin' Alive" (V.S.O.P.) features legendary saxophonist Phil Woods and received four stars from critic Leonard Feather. "French Cookin" (V.S.O.P.) spotlights the unusual and beautiful combination of Ms. Nakasian's voice with virtuoso French hornist Bobby Routch ( soloist with the Lincoln Center Chamber Society). Her "Bitter Sweet" CD (JazzMania) was also very well received.

There are many jazz singers on the scene now. Jon Hendricks chose her because of her hip, swinging rhythm. The Jim Cullum Jazz Band uses her frequently on their internationally syndicated (200 stations) show Riverwalk to portray Lee Wiley, Peggy Lee, Helen Ward, Helen Humes, 20s singers and blues singers. Their reason - swing and authenticity
Most recently she portrayed herself on the show with Dick Hyman on two tributes (to composers Hoagy Carmichael - and Walter Donaldson). The Richmond Times-Dispatch "compared (her) to Ella ...and (she) deserves it..' In Europe they have heard similarities to Sarah Vaughan. In New York, they heard early Margaret Whiting. Her clean, clear lovely tone is another reason for her popularity.
Her original concert revues such as "The Great Ladies of American Song" and various composer and singer tributes have been favorites with schools and universities and concert goers. Her "Great Ladies" revue which traces the development of jazz singing from Bessie Smith and the Blues through Mildred Bailey, Billie Holiday, and the Band - singers to Broadway, Bebop and Beyond, is also offered as an academic course at the University of Virginia where Ms. Nakasian also teaches private voice. In addition, she teaches jazz voice and vocal jazz improvisation at Va, Commonwealth University (in Richmond) and at The College of William and Mary. She has taught vocal jazz ensembles and gives numerous workshops each year to schools and conventions (including the Va. Music Educators annual convention) on "Teaching Jazz Voice," "Coaching Jazz and Show Choirs on Jazz" and "How to Sing what's NOT on the Page."

Ms. Nakasian has appeared on television and radio in the U.S., Europe, Japan and the Caribbean. National Public Radio featured her on a one-hour concert on "Jazz Set" hosted by Branford Marsalis. Her many festival appearances include the Northsea Jazz Festival (Holland), the Kool Jazz Festival (NYC), S.C. Jazz Festival. N.C. Jazz Festival. Main Street (Columbia, SC) Jazz Festival. the Big Gig (Richmond, VA). the Bethlehem Musikfest (PA). numerous appearances at the Delaware Water Gap Jazz Festival (PA) and a Public Television special featuring two duets with trumpet legend Clark Terry. Most recently she was featured on a tribute to Kenton singer June Christy with the Pete Rugolo Orchestra at the West Coast Jazz Festival in Newport Beach, CA.

Concert appearances as a featured performer (not as a side man or opening act) include performances with Urbie Green. Pat Metheny, Milt Hinton, Clark Terry, J.R. Monterose, Joe Temperly, Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen. Sheila Jordan. Bob Dorough, Valerie Ponomarev and (with Jon Hendricks) Red Mitchell, Hank Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Roy Haynes and Annie Ross to name a few.

The final element which makes all this so exciting is her electric and personal stage persona - fun to watch and exciting to be part of the experiment and spontaneous creativity of her art.

Swing, authenticity, sound, fresh and innovative improvisations and a great, personal show.

A Jazz Singer for the Next Millenium

AS LEADER

1998 Invitation to an Escapade V.S.O.P.
Featuring Bob Hallahan-p, Paul Langosch-b, Joe LaBarbara-d. Steve Brown-gtr & congas, Hod O'Brien-synth vibes

1993 BitterSweet JazzMania
Featuring Vic Juris-g, Mark Kirk-as,sop, Hod O'Brien-piano. Steve Gilmore-bass, Bill Goodwin-drums, Ed Hudak-congas

1992 French Cookin' V.S.O.P.
Featuring Bobby Routch-French horn, Hod O'Brien-piano. Nabil Totah-bass. Ray Mosca-drums.

1989 Comin' Alive V.S.O.P.
Featuring Phil Woods-alto, Wayne Andre-tbn, Warren Chiasson- vibes. Hod O'Brien-piano, Nabil Totah-bass, Ray Mosca-drums, Ed Hudak-congas

AS GUEST ARTIST

1993 To Be With You HQS
Leader: Sal Soghoian-guitar with Hod O'Brien

1993 This is a Recording Laissez Faire
Leader: Bob Dorough-vocals, piano (background vocals)

1985 Opalessence Criss Cross
Leader: Hod O'Brien-piano, with Pepper Adams-bari, Torn Harrell- tpt,flgn, Ray Drummond-bass, Kenny Washington-drums

1983 Paradise Atlantic (unreleased)
Leader: Andy LaVerne with Mark Johnson-bass, Danny Gottlieb-drums

OTHER RECORDING PROJECTS

1993 Series of 6 releases for Pocket Songs Label:
Featuring such musicians as Spanky Davis-tpt, Dan Barrett-tbn Harry Allen-ts,Hod O'Brien-piano, James Chirillo-guitar, Michael Moore-bass Jackie Williams-drums Irving Berlin recording featured Vince Giordano Orchestra with strings.
You sing the hits of Harold Arlen, Vol. 1
You sing the hits of Harold Arlen, Vol. 2
You sing the hits of Lee Wiley
You sing the hits of Irving Berlin
Great Standards that you can sing
A Woman's Intuition

1991-9 Series of 8 radio broadcasts for National Public Radio's Riverwalk, Live from the Landing series from San Antonio With The Jim Cullum Jazz Band:
Christmas Show
New Year's Show
Blues Show
Tribute to Benny Goodman Featuring Allan Vache and John Cocuzzi
30's Jukebox Featuring Vince Giordano and Andy Stein
Tribute to Eddie Condon
Tribute to Hoagy Carmichael Featuring Dick Hyman
Tribute to Walter Donaldson Featuring Dick Hyman

Stephanie's web page.