VOX ONE

Vox One is an award-winning a cappella jazz quintet that combines elements of blues, funk, gospel, and folk into their own brand of vocal music, which is "most adventurous and distinction." - San Francisco Examiner. The group, formed in 1988, has since developed a unique style considered to be the cutting edge of a cappella. "This jazz quintet puts all kinds of throat sounds to such funky good use that listeners break into applause and - better - feel like dancing." - Boston Magazine. Vox One has performed internationally, and has opened for Ray Charles, Chicago, the Persuasions, the Bobs, the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, and most recently appeared on Ahmad Jamal’s latest recording After Fajr. The group earns wide acclaim for their performances and CDs. Their awards include "Best A cappella Group, Jazz" - Boston Magazine. Vox One's eponymous debut CD was named "Best Album" and awarded "Best Song" by the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA): "Creative arrangements and soulful spark... fabulous lead vocalists, and exquisite blend, a great vocal percussion sound, and lots of class." Their second US release “Out There,” won "Album of the Year," "Best Jazz Song," and "Best R&B song" by CASA. “...as defining an album for vocal jazz as Singers Unlimited "A Capella" and Take 6's debut album...it’s that good.” -Primarily A Cappella. With their 1998 album “Chameleon,” Vox One was named “Artist of the Year,” and once again it earned “Best Jazz Album” and “Best Jazz Song.” The 2006 release, Pure Imagination received “Best Folk/World Song” for Kind of a 3. Jodi Jenkins-Ainsworth (soprano), Yumiko Matsuoka (alto), Paul Stiller (tenor/vocal drums), Paul Pampinella (baritone) and Tom Baskett (bass), met at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where all of them are now on the faculty. Vox One composes and arranges in many styles and settings. A first-time listener of Vox One may be amazed to hear a variety of instruments such as drums, bass, horns, and guitar. "I am beside myself how Vox One produces the sound they do with the human voice." - Northeast Performer. Other arrangements use tight, lush voicings and interesting reharmonizations which give familiar songs a new twist. "Vox One manages to transform a white-bread classic like "Edelweiss" into something more surprising, and yes, even funky...a tricky, intelligent arrangement." - James Marcus, JazzTimes Magazine. For access and accommodation information, visit https://www.salemstate.edu/access or email access@salemstate.edu.