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* about us *
Musical Direction
Vocal Flight is directed by Roger Letson,
who founded the college’s Vocal Jazz Program
in 1979. In addition to his work with Vocal
Flight, he teaches jazz solo voice classes at
the college. He has given his own solo vocal
performances in concerts, and each year he
presents master classes for jazz solo vocalists
at the Jazz Vocal Festival in Crest, and other
cities including Paris, Grenoble, St. Cannat,
and Lyon.
The Group
Vocal Flight is an ensemble of six singers and
rhythm section that is part of the Vocal Jazz
Program at De Anza College, in Cupertino,
California (near San Francisco). All singers
have a background of singing in the jazz
style, and most have had previous experience
with ensemble work.
Vocal Flight is directed by Roger Letson,
who founded the college’s Vocal Jazz Program
in 1979. In addition to his work with Vocal
Flight, he teaches jazz solo voice classes at
the college. He has given his own solo vocal
performances in concerts, and each year he
presents master classes for jazz solo vocalists
at the Jazz Vocal Festival in Crest, and other
cities including Paris, Grenoble, St. Cannat,
and Lyon.
The Group
Vocal Flight is an ensemble of six singers and
rhythm section that is part of the Vocal Jazz
Program at De Anza College, in Cupertino,
California (near San Francisco). All singers
have a background of singing in the jazz
style, and most have had previous experience
with ensemble work.
Awards
Vocal Flight has been named winner of
'DownBeat' magazines student music awards
in the college vocal group division for 10
times. Most recently in 2007, they not only
won the award for Downbeat, but also the
college division at the Reno Jazz Festival.
Through the past 28 years, the group has
performed at many prestigious festivals in
California including Monterey, Santa Cruz,
Palo Alto, and San Francisco (Kool). They
have toured Europe 10 times and appeared
at jazz festivals in Montreaux, Neuchatel,
Crest, Foix, Toulon, Valence, Montelimar,
Grenoble, and Megeve. They also
performed for 5 nights at the Hotel Meridien
"Lionel Hampton" Jazz Club in Paris.
Vocal Flight has been named winner of
'DownBeat' magazines student music awards
in the college vocal group division for 10
times. Most recently in 2007, they not only
won the award for Downbeat, but also the
college division at the Reno Jazz Festival.
Through the past 28 years, the group has
performed at many prestigious festivals in
California including Monterey, Santa Cruz,
Palo Alto, and San Francisco (Kool). They
have toured Europe 10 times and appeared
at jazz festivals in Montreaux, Neuchatel,
Crest, Foix, Toulon, Valence, Montelimar,
Grenoble, and Megeve. They also
performed for 5 nights at the Hotel Meridien
"Lionel Hampton" Jazz Club in Paris.
Vocal Flight has been visible in the U. S. at
local and national venues, including the International
Association of Jazz Educators Conventions in Los Angeles and
Miami, and the American Choral Directors Association National
Convention in San Diego. Many California state music
educator conventions have also been included in their
performance schedules.
Well known jazz artists and groups that Vocal Flight have
performed with, or appeared with include: Betty Carter, Sheila
Jordan, Dee Daniels, Bobby McFerrin, Ray Charles, Tuck and
Patti, Jay Clayton, Woody Herman, Flora Purin and Airto, Clare
Fischer, Michele Hendricks, Madeline Eastman, Kitty Margolis,
Don Shelton and the Hi-Lo's, Bill Watrous, Nate Pruitt, and
several alumni of the group as Darryl Rowe, Gene Burkert,
Claudia Villela, and Juliet Green.
On campus and in the community, the Vocal Jazz program
remains extremely active with performances at local schools,
service organization functions, and special events, in addition
to regularly scheduled concerts on campus.
local and national venues, including the International
Association of Jazz Educators Conventions in Los Angeles and
Miami, and the American Choral Directors Association National
Convention in San Diego. Many California state music
educator conventions have also been included in their
performance schedules.
Well known jazz artists and groups that Vocal Flight have
performed with, or appeared with include: Betty Carter, Sheila
Jordan, Dee Daniels, Bobby McFerrin, Ray Charles, Tuck and
Patti, Jay Clayton, Woody Herman, Flora Purin and Airto, Clare
Fischer, Michele Hendricks, Madeline Eastman, Kitty Margolis,
Don Shelton and the Hi-Lo's, Bill Watrous, Nate Pruitt, and
several alumni of the group as Darryl Rowe, Gene Burkert,
Claudia Villela, and Juliet Green.
On campus and in the community, the Vocal Jazz program
remains extremely active with performances at local schools,
service organization functions, and special events, in addition
to regularly scheduled concerts on campus.
