Nationwide, jazz vocalists have banded together to promote the evolution of vocal jazz through the Jazz Vocal Coalition. With a mission “to create a worldwide community of jazz singers in order to share knowledge and experience, recognize outstanding achievements, and to encourage the highest standards of professionalism, musicianship and artistry,” the JZVOC currently has chapters in only three cities—Los Angeles, New York, and Minneapolis. With the wealth of vocal talent in the Twin Cities jazz community, it is no surprise that local artists have emerged to lead a chapter of the JZVOC—Rhonda Laurie as President, Bruce Henry as Secretary, and Vicky Mountain as Treasurer. At the Hot Summer Jazz Festival in June, members of the coalition presented a Vocal Showcase at the Millennium Hotel. Now three member vocalists—Christine Rosholt, Sue Tucker, and Connie Olson—will present an evening of non-stop song at the Dakota on Sunday, September 4^th.

Photo by Andea Canter

A relative newcomer to the Twin Cities jazz scene, Christine Rosholt graduated from the Minneapolis Children’s Theater Company & School and earned at BFA at the Art Institute of Chicago where she majored in performance art and photography. Her career in theater has included original performance art pieces and traditional theater as well as vocal performance. As a jazz vocalist, she has performed recently at many local venues, including regular gigs at Café Havana and Nochee, and has been a featured vocalist with Beasley’s Big Band. Citing influences ranging from Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Blossom Dearie, and Frank Sinatra to Connie Evingson, Diana Krall, Jane Monheit, John Pizzarelli, Joni Mitchell, and Karrin Allyson, Christine says: "I especially like the Jazz standards from the 1930s and 40s because they’re timeless, they swing, and they’re sentimental without being syrupy." Watch for the release of Rosholt’s CD later this year.

Minneapolis native Connie Olson has been singing professionally — from rock and blues to R&B and jazz-- since age 17. After performing with local bands, she moved to Los Angeles, studying at the Dick Grove School of Music and performing at leading area venues. Her credits include work with The Peter Duchin Band, Prince and Madonna; her voice is heard on countless radio and television commercials. In addition to performance, Olson has devoted time to jazz education, including clinics at the Manhattan School of Music. Last fall, she released a CD, Daydreaming, a tribute to Doris Day featuring pianist Benny Weinbeck. She is currently working on a recording project with Beach Boys’ keyboardist Tim Bonhomme in LA.

Sue Tucker grew up surrounded by music and musicians. Her father, Jack Oatts, was one of Iowa’s first jazz educators, and both brothers, Jim and Dick Oatts, are well established jazz artists with international reputations. Before concentrating on voice, Tucker played tenor sax and clarinet, even playing in a duet with the great Clark Terry at a jazz festival gig. Sue notes, "I think playing a horn has had a great influence on my singing. I've tried to approach singing from an instrumental mindset. Space is just as important as sound."

Photo by Andea Canter

Initially Tucker’s singing career was in the studio, doing jingles and voice-overs. After teaching music theory and studio technique for sever years (including coordinating ensembles at MusicTech), she became the Assistant Director of Education at IPR (Institute of Production & Recording) in downtown Minneapolis. These days she sings at various Twin Cities venues (Rossi’s, Sophia’s, The Times) and has released two recordings, Meant for You and May I Come In? Noted Jazz Review, “Her voice is so sweet and endearing; it reminded me of the way Ella Fitzgerald always sends me straight to heaven."

For the Dakota showcase, nothing but a great rhythm section will do, and the trio on stage will not disappoint: Pianist Tanner Taylor has been igniting the stage all over town. He’s often found supporting area vocalists at Sophia’s, Rossi’s, the Times, and Dakota; and he holds down the piano chair for Dave Karr’s Mulligan Stew. Master bassist Gordon Johnson swings all over the metro and has led his own series of “Trios” through three highly acclaimed recordings. Drummer Mac Santiago has supported Coalition vocalists in showcases at the KBEM Winter Jazz Festival and Hot Summer Jazz Festival.

The format for the evening will include individual sets from each vocalist. And perhaps there will be some opportunities for duets and a threesome? If you have followed the vocal jazz scene in the Twin Cities, you know how good this evening will be! And if you have somehow overlooked the many stellar voices around town, this is a golden opportunity to hear three of the finest. Sets start at 7 pm, and it’s all for just a $5 cover.

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com. Artists’ websites: Christine Rosholt at www.christinerosholt.com; Connie Olson at www.connieolson.net ; Sue Tucker at www.suetucker.com

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