Rebecca Parris was born on December 28, 1951 in Newton, Massachusetts into a family of educators and musicians. Her early career is marked by studies with world-class vocal coach, Blair MacClosky, and attendance at Boston Conservatory. At first she toured with top 40’s bands, then became immersed in the American jazz genre of singing, developing herdistinctive version of improvisation, scat, exemplary phrasing, and masterful story telling.
Parris has performed worldwide with great jazz legends, including Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich, Wynton arsalis, Gary Burton, Count
Basie, Woody Herman, Terry Gibbs, David “Fathead” Newman, Norman Simmons. Harold Jones, Andy Simpkins, Gerry Wiggins, Bill Cunliffe, Red Mitchell, Buster Cooper, Nat Pierce, and many others. Rebecca has performed at the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival in '90 & '95, North Sea Jazz Festival, >Oslo Jazz Festival and the International
Floating Jazz Festival, continuing to exemplify American jazz singing across the globe.
Rebecca's latest release is You Don't Know Me on the Saying It With Jazz label. Rebecca performs some
well-chosen standards with her long-time trio: Brad Hatfield, piano; Peter
Kontrimas, bass; and Matt Gordy, drums. Rebecca's previous releases include her
all-ballads CD, My Foolish Heart, The Secret of Christmas"Arial Narrow"; A Beautiful Friendship, with the Kenny Hadley Big Band, Double Rainbow with Eddie Higgins and Michael Monaghan, A Passionate Fling, Love Comes and Goes, and Live at Chan's. (go to: http://www.rebeccaparris.com)
Additional to performing, Rebecca is a noteworthy vocal teacher, widely in demand, from students near and far, that don’t mind traveling to benefit from her instruction. She is also a community activist who has led benefit concerts for numerous charities and causes, is an ardent supporter of “Save School Music,” and a recent advocate of the “Massachusetts Dance Festival.”
Rebecca Parris will be opening for two weekends of dance festivals during the first statewide MDF events, beginning on Saturday August 21st @ 8:00 pm, at the Boston Ballet top floor performance venue, and the following Saturday, August 28th, and the Fine Arts Center in Amherst. Sheyes""> will perform a few of her favorite jazz songs, then turn the
stage over to 11 professional dance companies for the evening.
Having just attended another spectacular performance by Rebecca last night, I can vouch that our regional icon and “First Lady of Jazz” from Massachusetts, is fully engaging in her playful, serious, sensuous way, that pulls you into an astounding musical experience.
Ticket prices for August 21st and 28th are $25.00 at the door, $20.00 in advance. Go to: http://www.massdancefestival.org/tickets.html
to order in advance.
And enjoy the show!
Article by Lisa Leake
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