Barbara is a New York based jazz vocalist, originally from Ohio. She has performed with the late Les Paul at The Iridium, and with the Woody Allen Band at The Carlisle Hotel, as well as directing her own New Yorkers, a 1920s/1930s jazz band. For the past three years Barbara has also been touring with The Harry James Orchestra; most recently at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Barbara has appeared at Birdland Jazz Club, in New York, hosting their Sunday Night Jazz Party. She has performed several times at New York's Iridium Jazz Club, Blues Alley in Washington DC, The Jazz Corner in Hilton Head and at Jazz Societies and Festival throughout the US. She is comfortable working with any size group.
1 review
Susan S.
September 1, 2013As a bandleader, I always try to book Barbara Rosene for my band, The Robert Lawrence Orchestra, when she is in town, after touring with The Harry James Orchestra. She is the consummate professional and never misses a beat! Barbara is considered one of the best jazz and big band female vocalists we have in the industry at present. Book her for your next event!
Hired as: Jazz Band, Jazz Singer
Price range: $400-2000
Gig length: 60 - 180 minutes
Barbara Rosene has built an unequalled reputation for interpreting the great music of the 1920s and 30s. She is a passionate vocalist whose interpretations uncover the richness of jazz classics through the subtle, skilled delivery of one truly in love with the genre she sings.
Rosene gives voice to songs in ways that are both gracefully provocative and warmly welcoming. Few singers have her feel for classic material, from all eras of Jazz, interpreting the music with not only a full understanding and love of the original time period but with the rare ability to make the material sound fresh and emotionally relevant today.
In her established career she has shared stages with jazz icons, performing internationally with The Harry James Orchestra, performing with the late Les Paul at New York's Iridium Jazz Club, with the Woody Allen Band, at The Carlisle Hotel, as well as directing her own New Yorkers, and as guest artist with orchestras and in festivals across the world. She has played such venues as The Iridium (New York), Lincoln Center's Rose Hall (New York), The Montreal Jazz Festival, and Night Town (Cleveland).
Barbara has been featured on Judy Carmichael's NPR program entitled "Jazz Inspired", and recently on NPR's "Hot Jazz Saturday Night." She has been recognized by Backstage Magazine (Bistro Award, 2006), "Jazz Improv Magazine", and is featured in Scott Yanow's "Great Jazz Singers."
Rosene is personally committed to the significance of jazz music in American Popular Song and in America's roots and spirit. Finding the soul of a song and linking its heart and expression with her own story brings this seductive blonde singer the satisfaction of a career well-spent. Recently she has begun lecturing on The Tin Pan Alley composers and early women jazz singers.
"Do what thrills you. Do what has meaning," says Rosene, genuinely. "One thing I know is that it really is a privilege to perform. When someone is touched or broadened by something you have given them it is a gift to be able to give back to the world in that way."
Barbara's CDs include 4 on the Stomp Off label, as well as Azica Records and Arbor's Records. Her next album "On The Brink", which includes contemporary jazz giants, Howard Alden, James Chirillo, Wycliffe Gordon, Joe Ascione and Randy Sandke will be released in the Spring of 2010 on Bluesback Records. It is natural progression from her earlier work but quite different, and much more in the vein of straight ahead jazz.
Jazz Singer
