Ellen Johnson jazz vocalist

Ellen Johnson began her performing career in Chicago singing everything from folk, pop, blues, jazz, musical theater, and classical repertoire. She has sung and studied with many exceptional musicians including Louie Bellson, Bobby McFerrin, Sheila Jordan, Charles McPherson, Roy McCurdy, Pete Christlieb, John Clayton, Don Braden, Darek Oles, Kim Richmond, Willie Pickens, Gene Aitken and many more. Her two jazz CD's, “Too Good To Title” and “Chinchilla Serenade”, have received critical acclaim and international airplay even receiving Editors Choice in Cadence Magazine.

Ellen's amazing 4 octave range and imaginative vocal style has been heard extensively at concerts, festivals, colleges, and venues in the United States and internationally. She initiated her own media and record label, Vocal Visions, in 1990 where she has produced 4 CD’s including publishing an instructional warm up and ear training CD for voice (with a new one on the way), and an original poetry and music CD. Bruce Crowther mentions her in the 1997 published book Singing Jazz for her jazz singing abilities and includes her company in a group of independent record labels for which he gives recognition.

Her other professional ventures include recording for jingles, film scores, and other projects not to mention collaborating with the great songwriter, Hugh Martin, who wrote about her singing abilities: “I’m at a loss for words to praise your voice. It deserves adjectives that haven’t been invented yet regarding its beauty of tone, range, and perfect intonation.” She has been a featured soloist for many performances of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts filling the shoes of soloist Alice Babs so well that even the late Stanley Dance commented how good her renditions were in comparison. Ellen’s versatility for many styles of music contributed to her winning a finalist slot in the American Traditions Vocal Competition where she performed jazz, musical theater and classical renditions of songs for a prestigious panel of judges that included Della Reese, Charles Strouse, William Warfield, George Shirley and others.

Ms. Johnson, who has a Masters degree from San Diego State University in Vocal Performance, has been on the voice faculties of the University of San Diego, the Old Globe Theatre’s Masters of Fine Arts program and gives clinics and master classes in vocal jazz. She has been a guest artist and instructor at the University of Southern California, San Diego State University, Bradly University, Portland State University, Point Loma Nazarene College, CSU Northridge, and more. She was selected to be in the “Who’s Who of Americas Teachers 2002” and was a keynote speaker on the “Art Song of Duke Ellington” for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) international conference.

Ellen serves as President and founder of the Jazz Vocal Coalition (JZVOC, www.jzvoc.org) a non profit organization that supports the art of jazz singing and singers by providing educational, resource and performing opportunities to established and emerging young artists. She recently produced a two CD set of 22 JZVOC professional members and has produced showcases and panels that included a variety of industry professional and artists such as Alan Paul, Barbara Morrison, Sheila Jordan, Derek Sivers (CD Baby), Jeff Weber, Bernard Bauer (Music Connection Magazine), Dito Godwin and others. Ellen was the moderator of a panel at the 2004 IAJE Conference in New York entitled, “The Evolution of Solo Vocal Jazz Singing: Where are We Headed?” which featured Jay Clayton, Kurt Elling, Jon Hendricks, Sheila Jordan, Kitty Margolis and Mark Murphy. She was also one of the featured singers at Birdland for the JZVOC/Singer Magazine event performing with Lee Musiker, Cameron Brown, and Billy Drummond .

Ellen is the past Jazz Editor for Singer&Musician Magazine, past president of the San Diego Chapter of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), and was the California vocal jazz representative for the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE). She has been a panelist for several music industry conferences and a consultant and producer for other performing artists. Ellen currently resides in the LA area where she maintains an active professional singing and acting career, conducts clinics and workshops, produces vocal projects, and is an adjunct instructor at California State Poly Technic University.

The Vocal Warm Up CD

The Vocal Warm UP CD is a great way to improve your singing skills and ear training abilities! The CD has seventeen vocal exercises designed to give you the mamimum warm up for your voice range. The CD's are divided into Male and Female low and high voice versions with an ear training section that follows. There is a book that explains all of the exercises and each exercise is demonstrated by a singer on the CD so it is easy to use. Once you hear the exercise you will be accompanied by piano to sing along with the CD. The CD was compiled by Ellen Johnson, a professional singer of many musical generes who has been teaching for over twenty years. She holds a Masters degree in Vocal Performance and has been a Professor of Voice at universities and colleges as well as teaching for the Old Globe Theater's M.F.A. program. She currently resides in the Los Angeles area where she has her own private studio and gives workshops and classes. "Use of this warm up tape done correctly over a period of time will result in better vocal production, strength, and coordination of muscles. Many of my professional students use this tape prior to their performances. The ear training part of the CD is to help you develop better pitch and recognition of notes and patterns. You will find that your musicianship skills will increase over time by listening to the exercises and identifying what you are singing."

6321 BOOK & CD $19.95

Male Voice

6320 BOOK & CD $19.95

Female Voice

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