CONCERT JAZZ Events -
Chiltern Hundreds Area

Janice Harrington - her vocal career began in 1969 with tours to South East Asia, where she performed for the United States military in various U.S.O. shows during the Vietnam War. She was a featured performer at the Las Vegas Flamingo Hotel from 1975 through 1977. During this time she was also in lead roles in the National tours of "Norman Is That You" and "Two Gentlemen From Verona", and was also in the American television series "Days Of Our Lives".
Janice went on to work with such artists as Billy Daniels, Lloyd Bridges, Frank Sinatra Jr., Sammy Davis Jr. and Lionel Hampton who told her "Two 'Aries' should not work together and she should get her own show" which she proceeded to do by moving to Europe in 1980.
She has performed in Europe and Scandinavia as the opening act for Joan Armatrading 1982 in Oslo. She was also invited to sing for Bishop Desmond Tutu in Oslo after he received the Nobel Peace Price.  Ms. Harrington has performed with the Kenn Lending Blues Band as the opening act for B. B. King 1989 in Copenhagen, with Champion Jack Dupree, Luther Allison, Nat Adderley, Papa Bue’s Royal Viking Jazzband, the Humphrey Lyttleton Band and the Dutch Swing College Band. Ms. Harrington has also appeared with the Danish Radio Big Band, the Oslo Radio Big Band, the NDR Radio Big Band, the Ljubljana Radio Big Band as well as radio and TV productions either as an opening act or as the guest soloist.
Since then, Janice has gone on to produce and write two albums and nine CD’s and featured as a soloist on many other productions. She has written several musicals, "Streets Of Harlem", produced in Oslo, and "What My Eyes Have Seen", produced in Hamburg. She also performs Gala evenings under the titles of "A Tribute To Cole Porter" and "A Tribute to Dinah Washington"; here, Janice has attempted to reform the original trio of Ms. Washington by using Keter Betts on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. And of course the Gospel and Spiritual evening, "A Tribute To Mahalia Jackson", where every performance ended with a standing ovation, in places like the "Alte Oper" in Frankfurt.
Since 1993, Janice has produced the "North German Gospel And Spritual Festival" under the guidance of the President of Cabinet Mr. Schröder with concerts over Northern Germany. In the year 2000   Janice Harrington and her Gospel Train were the musical highlight of the CHIO International Horse Riding Competition in Aachen, Germany which was presented live by the WDR-Television.
Some highlights of Janice's career include being the guest soloist by special request of the American Ambassador to Poland, Mr. Hill, to sing for the “First Anniversary in Memory of the Victims of 9/11”.  In 2003 as the Final Event for Black History Month Janice was invited to perform in the in Georgia at the request of the American Ambassador Mr. Miles.

Critically acclaimed in the international press, Janice Harrington is described as Warm as Sunshine.
She has the ability to hold an audience spellbound.

US Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs
US Department of State understand the value of Cultural Representation in the promoting their goodwill abroad and Janice is one of their Cultural Envoy's promoting Music and Education overseas albeit with a political purpose.  Music knows no Borders and remains our Universal Language.

Gospel Singer in Romania. Cultural Envoy, gospel/jazz/blues singer, Janice Harrington completed a highly successful program of performances, workshops and a series of master classes throughout Romania, from April 16-27, 2007. The program included interactions with students and music aficionados from the cities of Constanta, Sibiu, Cluj, Timisoara and Bucharest. During the program opening in Constanta, Ms. Harrington presented a variety of singing styles, from gospel, through jazz, scat to hip-hop to an enthusiastic group of students. At her performance in Sibiu, Ms. Harrington explained the roots and history of the music, and its importance to the African-American community. As a result, students in the audience were inspired to create their very own gospel choir. In Cluj, Ms. Harrington performed at the historic hall of the Opera Theatre. In Timisoara, she presented a workshop as part of the International Student Festival which was organized by the Romanian Students' Association. The workshop, which was entitled Authentic American Music and based on chants from Africa, illustrated the hardships suffered by the African people as they were forced to endure years of hard labour on plantations in America. The final part of Ms. Harrington's Cultural Envoy program took place in Bucharest and involved two master classes at local music high schools. As a result, students in Bucharest were exposed for the first time to an interactive method of teaching music and music history.

UK Jazz Tours

Janice is not unknown to the UK Jazz & Gospel Scene - she is keen to re-acquaint herself with our attentive  Audiences and renew old associations with such as Scottish Drummer and Bandleader Ken Mathieson.  Janice is also currently  promoting her latest jazz quartet CD album project:
Dinah Washington - Memory Lane

For Booking Enquiries on "Ms Janice Harrington" for Jazz or Gospel Festivals, Theatre or Club Events, and Vocal Workshops -
Contact E-mail or Phone 01844 353117

Performance Format One - Tribute to Dinah Washington - Memory Lane

Dinah Washington was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and became known as One of the most versatile and gifted vocalists in American popular music history, Dinah Washington made extraordinary recordings in jazz, blues, R&B and light pop contexts, and could have done the same in gospel had she chosen to record in that mode. But the former Ruth Jones didn't believe in mixing the secular and spiritual, and once she'd entered the non-religious music world professionally, refused to include gospel in her repertoire. Washington's penetrating, high-pitched voice, incredible sense of drama and timing, crystal clear enunciation and equal facility with sad, bawdy, celebratory or rousing material enabled her to sing any and everything with distinction. Washington played piano and directed her church choir growing up in Chicago. For a while she did split her time between clubs and singing and playing piano in Salle Martin's gospel choir as Ruth Jones. There's some dispute about the origin of her name. Some sources say the manager of the Garrick Stage Bar gave her the name Dinah Washington; other say it was Hampton who selected it. It is undisputed Hampton heard and was impressed by Washington, who'd been discovered by manager Joe Glaser. She worked in Hampton's band from 1943 to 1946. Some of her biggest R&B hits were written by Leonard Feather, the distinguished critic who was a successful composer in the '40s. Washington dominated the R&B charts in the late '40s and '50s, but also did straight jazz sessions for EmArcy and Mercury, with horn accompanists including Clifford Brown, Clark Terry and Maynard Ferguson, and pianists Wynton Kelly, a young Joe Zawinul and Andrew Hill. She wanted to record what she liked, regardless of whether it was considered suitable, and in today's market would be a crossover superstar.
"What A Difference A Day Makes." From that point forward nearly all of her recordings were slow ballads with accompaniment from faceless orchestras that would not have been out of place on a country record! Although she did have a few more hits (including some duets with Brook Benton), Washington's post-1958 output has not dated well at all, unlike the music from her first 15 years of recordings. However she was only 39 and still in peak musical form when she died from an accidental overdose of diet pills and alcohol in 1963. Dinah Washington remains the biggest influence on most black female singers (particularly in R&B and soul) who have come to prominence since the mid-'50s. Virtually all of her recordings are currently in print on CD's including a massive reissue series of her Mercury and EmArcy sessions.

Dinah Washington Memory Lane Stockholm Jazz and Blues Festival Video

Janice 's renditions of Dinah's music include - Love Walked In. I Want to be Around and My Lean Baby

Review
This disc came as a pleasant surprise as I had not previously heard of Janice Harrington. Born in America but having lived in Germany and worked in Europe for many years, she has a strong well controlled voice displaying good jazz chops. Apparently she sang with Frank Sinatra and Humphrey Lyttelton on the odd occasion. Dinah Washington was obviously one of Ms. Harrington’s role models and this album is dedicated that way, but she has her own slant and is no slavish imitator. The disc was recorded in 1988 but does not appear to have been released until now. All the songs in this varied programme get respectful and appropriate treatments and pianist Mayers deserves a special mention for his excellent accompaniment throughout.  Makin’ Whoopee really swings as does Love Walked In. New Blowtop Blues is sung in heartfelt fashion and contrasts well with the amusing medium tempo Salty Papa Blues which benefits from the addition of Witte’s tenor as does Teach Me Tonight. I Let A Song is rendered very positively whilst Bye Bye Blues is mainly a feature for Jimmy Cobb’s drums.  The final two numbers are bonus tracks and something of a mystery. Ole is a bass solo possibly by Alan Simmons or Lindy Huppertsberg, a lady who has worked extensively with Ms. Harrington. A tongue-in-cheek Willow Weep For Me recorded at a concert has some humorous scat interjections from Nat Adderley. A most enjoyable set that will certainly be appreciated by Dinah Washington fans.   Brian Robinson – Jazz Journal

 JANICE HARRINGTON Nagel Heyer CD 110  'YESTERDAY TODAY TOMORROW'

(1) I Thought About You; Makin’Whoopee; New Blowtop Blues; MyOld Flame; (2) Salty Papa Blues;(1) Love Walked In; I Wanna Be Around; I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart; (2) Teach Me Tonight; (1)Lean Baby; Bye Bye Blues; (3) Ole;(4) Willow Weep For Me (42.14min)
(1) Janice Harrington (v); Lloyd Mayers (p); Keter Betts (b); Jimmy Cobb (d). Stockholm, 9 July 1988.
(2) as (1) but add Hans Maite Witte (ts).
(3) unknown bass player; no venue or date.
(4) Harrington (v); Nat Adderley (c, v); Billy Mitchell (ts); Mike Hennessy (p); unknown bass; Jimmy Cobb (d). Unknown concert, no date.

Performance Format Two - Authentic American Music
The concept of the programme is to introduce the history of African American music from its roots in that then dark continent to its present universally celebrated Artistic Status.  The Music’s gradual and yet determined evolution from African Drum Rhythm’s, through Field Hollers, Gospel Songs, Traders Shouts, to Blues, and then to Jazz in all its forms.  Finally it emerges in the myriad aspects of the Popular Music of today.  Its propagation by the popularity of the recordings first made for a black audience became sought after and imitated by the popular performers of the day because of the sincerity, emotional delivery, and musical expertise of its oppressed instigators. It’s continuously evolving status as a uniquely Universal Cultural contribution that has a beneficial and uplifting effect on the human emotions despite its roots in Slavery.  It reached its zenith in the hands of both Black and White composers such as Duke Ellington and George Gershwin.  The personification and emancipation of the African Spirit continues to conquer the musical world after a century in the making.
Janice’s own words -
This finely honed American Musical History presentation can serve as a great fund raising event in addition to an educational performance that will appeal to all ages of audience from infants to mature music lovers and serves to provide both inspiration as well as entertainment.  It explains the transition of the African American musical spirit and its long journey from the Plantation fields to the hallowed Performance Platforms of the World.

This is basically a duo performance event and can be fleshed out with added performers and instrumentalists subject to the venue capacity and interest shown by the known potential audience.

Authentic American Music Workshops

Janice Harrington has a background steeped in the traditions of authentic American music.  In 1993 Janice organized the First Gospel Workshop In her adopted city of Lüneburg with her then partner Charles May ,The son of Brother Joe May (Thunderbolt of the Mid West) and sister of Annette May-Thomas - all giants of Gospel Music.  In 1995 I produced the 1st North German Gospel and Spiritual Festival taking the Workshop Choir to The Music Hall in Hamburg and arranging concerts in 26 cities in North Germany. In this year my patron was Minister President Gerhard Schröder who went on to become the Chancellor of Germany.  She now has wonderful support from long standing accompanist Rick Cotton and can once again continue her Ministry of Music.

More Background
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXtR5R6wp1c&mode=related&search=
Annette May-Thomas
James Cleveland 

Book Janice for your Music Events - Church Gathering, Schools, Fund Raising or Festivals

Although the tradition of Gospel pedagogy for musicians/choir members dates back about 200 years, it is only recently that advances have been made in the teaching of Gospel Music. The Janice Harrington Gospel Workshop is designed to give all musicians a foundation in gospel music.
Rick Cotton accompanist.  He is also a US Cultural Envoy
seen here with Janice in the background is collaborating on this Gospel Workshop Rick Cotton was born in the western state of Arizona, U.S.A. . He along with his three sisters was blessed with the gift of music.   From the very beginning he started making arrangements of songs he heard in church and not before to long he found himself playing as the church pianist. By the age of 12, he had formed his own little Gospel group, which included himself and his sisters. This group later, around the time Rick matured to the of 16, developed into a regionally known Gospel group called, ”Gospel Notes”.  Rick quickly picked up and absorbed elements of Blues, Jazz, and Rock and Roll into his musical education. Next he travelled at the age of 18 to Alabama to attend an all black college. This inspired even more soul-searching revelations about music and it‘s black heritage.

This Gospel Workshop offers you the opportunity to work with one of the finest gospel singer in the world today. Janice will be committed to helping you develop your own sound through the expansion of harmonic and rhythmic skills.

What will you be studying?

• Gospel Piano, Keyboard, Organ, and Vocal Techniques
• Instrumental Gospel Skills
• Repertoire Classes in Contemporary Gospel, Traditional Gospel, and Spirituals
• Traditional and Contemporary Styles for Voice, Piano, Organ, and Keyboard
• Conducting and Accompanying

The Gospel Workshop will perform In Concert to demonstrate what they have learned..
On the last day your family and friends are invited to attend the program finale, during which all will perform in a closing Gospel Concert.

Janice -
I teach this program thru History and Song, teaching the various styles of the music and what the song means and giving respect to the mothers and fathers of the music. We begin in a African village and right up to the Urban Hip Hop of today.

Janice Harrington's Vocal Portrayals are formed with a combination of Quality Artists subject to availability such as :-

Dylan Vaughn- Guitarist from Oklahoma has been a professional musician and composer for over 35 years; he spent his formative years playing electric and acoustic guitar in rock, soul, and country bands while studying the music of J.S. Bach and John Dowland on solo classical guitar.  He read music and composition at State University of New York at Albany, The Guitar Workshop (Roslyn, NY), and State University of New York at Stonybrook.
From the Conservatorio Oscar Esplá in Alicante, Spain, he received the title of Professor of the Guitar and the Outstanding Achievement Award (Prémio Extraordinario) under the tutelage of the legendary José Tomás.  Dylan also studied classical guitar with many other great masters.
He is in great demand as an instrumentalist, playing guitar, bass, and percussion, he has toured the USA, Australia, Spain, France, England, Australia, Austria, Germany, and the Middle East for many touring Artists, Orchestras and Theatre productions.


John China – Pianist and Vocalist
Played on the London Jazz Scene since the late seventies including:-
The 100 Club, The  606 Club, Pizza Dean St, Ronnie Scott's Club, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Spice of Life - etc.

Played alongside Jazz Luminaries such as:-
Maxine Daniels, Digby Fairweather, Cambell Burnap, Tommy Whittle, Al Wynette, Alan Barnes, Georgie Fame, Acker Bilk, Roy Williams –etc

Reviews -
“always apt and tasteful Piano of John China” – Dave Gelly MBE – Jazz Critic The Observer
“A fine Pianist, lovely laid back speak-easy sort of Vocal” – Campbell Burnap – Jazz FM
Guest John China on piano sounds completely relaxed and comfortable - he chips in with some nice solo’s and a Vocal” – Roger Marks – Just Jazz Magazine

Dan Banks Quartet
Tim Collinson Quartet
Graeme Culham Jazz Quintet

Musicians and Deputies
The line-ups as listed are correct at the time of Publication and are those given to us by the leader of the group, and information is as accurate as we can make it. With the Music business being what it is, inevitable changes happen, and we amend the listings except for those that happen on the night. We have been very fortunate, as the substitutions made by the groups have often been surprise upgrades. Nevertheless, the situation is not one we can control due to the fallibility of the ever sensitive musicians.  Blessed as they are - they are not invulnerable.

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Last modified: 18/02/2012