The Spoleto Vocal Jazz Workshop Faculty

2007

The Faculty - The Schedule - Application

Michele Hendricks, is considered one of the most renowned vocal jazz artists today, having been teaching and conducting master classes world-wide over the past eighteen years. She focuses on the art of improvisation and ensemble singing that include mastery of basic skills in: rhythm, repertoire, key selection, phrasing, development of chord charts, transposing, arranging, and directing a singer's rhythm section. Michele is in demand as the major exponent of scat singing in the world of vocal jazz today.

Michele Hendricks serves on numerous juries for schools and competitions and currently is President of the Jury at the Crest Jazz Vocal Competition in France. She has taught at: The New School, New York City; New York University; Jazzmobile, NY; Centre Polyphoique, Paris; Musiloisirs Plynotes, Paris; and the Musikhochschule, Graz, Germany. For the past eight years she has been the Artistic Director for the Spoleto Vocal Jazz Workshop. Last year Michele and renowned father Jon Hendricks concluded a week in a Paris club to rave reviews! Michele's discography includes a dozen magnificent recordings. Her last CD entitled, A Little Bit of Ella was recorded in New York with Tommy Flanagan, piano; Peter Washington, bass; Lewis Nash, drums; David "Fathead" Newman, sax and flute; Brian Lynch, trumpet; Robin Eubanks, trombone; and her father, the very famous singer, Jon Hendricks. Michele's newest album is due to appear this year. Indeed we are honored and very fortunate to welcome Michele back to Spoleto.

Harold Danko, pianist and composer. Harold is known for his long associations with trumpeter Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Band, Lee Konitz and the Woody Herman Band. For the past eight years Harold has chaired the Jazz Studies Department of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Harold has recorded more than 20 CDs as a leader on the SteepleChase and Sunnyside labels. Over fifty of his compositions have been recorded by his own groups as well as other ensembles. His students have won awards in Downbeat Magazine and in major competitions in the USA. In summer 2007 he and pianist Renato Chicco (on leave summer 2008 from Spoleto Jazz Workshop) gave the major jazz concert of the Spoleto Estate performance season, two pianists and rhythm section with special guest Michele Hendricks.