Jennifer Barnes

Jennifer Barnes is one of the rising vocal stars on the jazz horizon. Referring to her debut CD recording, "You Taught My Heart" (available at CDBaby.com), legendary jazz bassist Rufus Reid says, "Jennifer integrates rich vocal quality, clarity of pitch and emotion with an additional pivotal skill that sets her apart from other great singers; she sings improvisations that are melodically and rhythmically interesting from the point of view of a jazz instrumentalist." She appeared in a nationally aired Chili´s commercial, and her voice has been featured on television and radio commercials including Epson, Old El Paso, McDonalds and Kellogg´s. She has opened for the Count Basie Orchestra and performed with her trio at the 28th Annual IAJE International Conference in New York City. Jennifer demonstrates tremendous versatility in her ability to not only lead her own small jazz group, but also as a big band vocalist, most notably as the featured vocalist on the Doug Lawrence Orchestra CD, "Big Band Swing". Chicago Tribune jazz critic Howard Reich reported, "she produces a sumptuous, wide-open sound...yet she threw off ornate lines at quick tempos with apparent ease."

Since relocating to the Los Angeles area in 2001, Jennifer has been establishing her vocal presence through both live and studio singing opportunities, having been invited to perform or record with such musical legends as Doc Severinsen, Barry Manilow, Cy Coleman, Marilyn & Alan Bergman, Doc Severinsen, as a backup vocalist for Bono on the 2002 Grammy Awards, and on films including "Live Free Die Hard", "Ice Age 2", "Happy Feet", "Meet The Robinsons", "King Kong" and "Chicken Little".

Jennifer has gained notoriety not only for her performing abilities, but also for her commitment to jazz education. She is an active long-time member and advocate of IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators), and has been on the faculty of the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camps for seven years. In addition, she has taught privately and directed downBeat [magazine] award-winning Vocal Jazz Ensembles for over ten years, including Western Michigan University, University of Miami (FL), Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and the University of Southern California.