"Jazz Divas of South Florida"
Brenda Alford, Nicole Yarling, Wendy Pedersen, Rose Max
with the Gold Coast Jazz Society Band
The Gold Coast Jazz Society Band
Led by Eric Allison
The South Florida Jazz Divas:
Brenda Alford
Vocalist/composer BRENDA ALFORD began her musical career in 1978 in Baltimore, Maryland, just three days after meeting and talking with the great jazz singer, Ella Fitzgerald. Since that time, BRENDA has performed jazz, pop, and gospel in concerts in North America, the Caribbean, and Asia. She has worked with some of the greatest names in jazz: Pete Minger; Stanley Turrentine; Sonny Stitt; Philly Jo Jones; Sam Jones; Tommy Flanagan; Keter Betts; Lou Donaldson; Ron Carter; Al Foster; and Cyrus Chestnut, to name a few.
MS. ALFORD has also recorded with jazz piano legend Horace Silver on the Blue Note label, and performed in concert with saxophone innovator Flip Phillips, formerly of the Woody Herman band. She sings on pianist Billy Marcus’ c.d., “Hamp”- a tribute to Lionel Hampton, and, at Mr. Hampton’s request, performed with Billy and a South Florida all-star band at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho for his 90th birthday.
Her own recordings include “Brenda Alford Live at Morgan State,” a single, “Last Night In Baltimore,” and most recently, “My Favorite Things,” recorded in concert at Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s Old Dillard Museum with the Othello Mollineaux quartet- featuring Othello on the steel pan, Mike Gerber on piano, Nick Orta on bass, and Ernesto Simpson, Jr. on drums.
BRENDA has also performed in two movies- Jon Waters’ “Hairspray,” and Barry Levinson’s Avalon.
BRENDA ALFORD currently resides in South Florida. She has attended the University of Miami as a jazz vocal performance major, and her compositions have been performed by the award-winning University of Miami jazz vocal ensemble, J.V.1, under the direction of Larry Lapin. She presently teaches in Dade County Public Schools, where she has been honored at her school , by Dade County, and the city of Homestead, Florida V.F.W. Auxiliary Post as Teacher of the Year.
Nicole Yarling
To a certain extent, Nicole Yarling defies definition. Her myriad of personal influences have created a product that begs attention across the board -- no one genre can keep her. Her chosen instruments are Voice, Violin, and Fiddle (in that order). Nicole is a rich velvet voice embroidered with technical skill and personality to boot! She is a rising star in the jazz community who, like many others, has been at it for years.
Born and raised in and around Brooklyn, New York, a musical household laid the groundwork for Nicole's career. She was inspired very early by her father, who played jazz organ and piano, and her father's records, which all made an impact on Nicole's musical tastes: Artists such as Etta James, Miles Davis, Stuff Smith, J.J. Johnson and Sonny Rollins, the Beatles and Motown classics were in regular rotation. As early as age nine, Nicole would "jam" on the violin with her father. It was then that she caught "the bug" to perform for a living. Aside from the familial influences, Nicole's education is extensive, ranging from a BA in Music from Baruch College, to a Masters in Music Education at Columbia University, as well as private training in composition, arranging, voice and violin. She uses her various music-skills today to conduct Master Classes and give vocal lessons.
Nicole moved to Florida in 1980, and has created quite a buzz. According to the Miami Sun-Sentinel, "every musical hat fits Nicole Yarling." For more than a decade, she has been a part of South Florida's musical world as a singer and violinist, working in jazz, rock, r&b, experimental music, and a few other styles that defy description. Nicole's musical excursions have brought about stints with Dizzy Gillespie, and three years on tour as a featured soloist with Jimmy Buffett (1991-94). She also participated on Buffet's platinum-selling CD "Fruitcakes" (MCA), and then went on to do 8 worldwide tours with her own project, Little Nicky and the Slicks.
Nicole's notable talent has a virtue all its own, but it would be remiss not mention the late great vocal legend, Joe Williams. Joe "discovered" Nicole through a series of events, and adopted her as his very own project. He recognized this diamond in the rough, gleaming through, and began to invest in seeing Nicole rise to the top. "Joe Williams Presents Nicole Yarling at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild" was born as a result. Endorsed by Joe, Nicole and a select quartet of musicians featuring David Siegel (piano), Jeff Grubbs (bass), John Yarling (drums) and Henry Johnson (guitar), were recorded live in concert. This unique performance captures Nicole in her element, and reflects her undeniable charisma. It also captures a moment in history which can never de duplicated: "Joe Williams Presents..." was to be Joe's final recording. Sadly, Joe passed away before he could see the actual release of his final work of art. He shared two unforgettable duets with Nicole: a vocal duet, "Blame It On My Youth," and "Who She Do," a blues tune written and sung by Joe with Nicole on violin. The recording also included two bonus tracks sung by Joe alone, "Imagination" and "After You've Gone." Some would say it was a dying wish of Joe Williams to see Nicole succeed. Joe intended to escort Nicole to the highest limits, much in the same way Count Basie did for him in the late fifties. Count Basie had once supported Joe Williams at his first solo engagement by having the marquee read "Count Basie Presents Joe Williams."
It can be boldly stated, however, that Ms. Yarling's talent has a strength all its own, to forge ahead on Joe's intended path. Joe Williams' torch certainly won't die out, as it has been graciously passed along to one Nicole Yarling, or as Joe might have said; the "Darling Ms. Yarling"
--Maya Ellis
WENDY PEDERSEN
Her high-energy vocal delivery, with deep, convincing emotion has been impacting audiences for many years.
A graduate of the University of Miami's Studio Music and Jazz Vocal program, Wendy began her singing career in high school, but her earliest memory is poring through her mom's record collection, practically wearing out the vinyl on Elton John and Beatle's records. Eventually, her heart found it's way to jazz and it has felt like home ever since.
Wendy has won many awards including the Southern Bell/Pace "Jazz Artist of the Year" and a Miami New Times "best vocalist" . Leonard Pitts of The Miami Herald said, "when she sings, her voice an elegant melismatic instrument, evokes the standard emotions, yes, but deeper longings and muted desires." Doug Adrianson, also of The Miami Herald said, "..she can steam up your contact lenses from 100 feet away." The Miami New Times said, "Wendy can shake the rafters or break your heart..."
Wendy Pedersen's discography includes her debut CD, "Me + Three"; a Holiday CD, "Ho Ho Ho"; and her brand new release, "Under The Influence", a tribute to the many women who inspired and influenced her.
Wendy also sings with an exciting new jazz vocal quartet, Mad Romance, featuring Rick Harris, Lisanne Lyons and Greg Diaz.
Rose Max
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Rose realized she had the gift of singing at a very early age.
Everyone from her mother's side was a musician. She is the great-grand daughter of the conductor and composer CUPERTINO DE MENEZES and grand daughter of the guitar player and composer MANUEL DE MENEZES. Cupertino, also a flutist, was a band member of a "choro" group led by Callado Junior and Chiquinha Gonzaga, two of the most prominent musicians from this era. Manuel was partner - in music, adventures and "Bohemia - of the most important Brazilian composer in the early 30's - Noel Rosa.
She started singing professionally with the OCTETO RIO ORCHESTRA performing jn the musically wealthy nightclub scene of Rio. She studied vocal technique with Graciela di Salerno, Nancy Miranda and Suely Mesquita. She also studied theory and ear training at the Instituto Vila Lobos and Centro de Instrução Musical Ian Guest.
Rose graduated with a degree in Portuguese and Literature from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. As a student, she was involved in various theatrical productions with the group "A QUEM INTERESSA."
Rose Max performed extensively as a soloist with the vocal group AEQUALE under the direction of acclaimed-musical director ANDRE PROTÁSIO. Gaining interest and respect locally, she started working with a number of different bands. One of her best experiences was performing at "CLUBE DO SAMBA" (Samba Club) where she had a chance to learn with some of the big names of Brazilian music, such as Maestro Licinho, Neco, Antonio Carlos Tourinho, João Nogueira, and Roberto Ribeiro. She also started working as a session singer, recording jingles and background vocals, which led to the opportunity of backing up some of Brazil' s most renowned singers.
Rose moved to Miami in October of 1993, where she has been continuing to grow and develop musically, and by keeping a constant performance schedule, she has become highly recognized in the Brazilian, Hispanic and American communities. She won the BRAZILIAN PRESS AWARD for the "Best Female Brazilian Singer Residing and Performing in the USA" in 1997, 1998 and 2001.
Her first solo CD - "Rose Max - Brazilian Jazz" - has just been released in October of 2002 at Porcao Miami among fans, friends and celebrities of the Brazilian, Hispanic and American community. The CD features Brazilian classics (bossa nova & samba) and was directed and produced by RAMATIS MORAES and mixed and mastered by PAULO BETHENCOURT.
"A bird can't fly without wings. Rose Max can't live without singing!...
I am thankful to God for the gift of singing! I want my voice to touch the hearts of those who listen to my singing".
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