The Z (Zeiders American Dream Theater) is excited to announce the return of the internationally renowned Vocal Jazz Summit.
The Vocal Jazz Summit brings together emerging and established artists, industry leaders, and vocal jazz fans for a unique, intensive weekend dedicated to performance, connection, and education. The festival offers audiences the chance to see leading artists in the jazz world at The Z’s state of the art and intimate performance space.
“The energy and community of the VJS is infectious!” said Festival Producer Liz Terrell. “It is something every singer should experience in-person.”
Past performers include 2023’s GRAMMY-Award winning “Best New Artist”, Samara Joy, along with Kurt Elling, René Marie, and Cyrille Aimée.
Joy’s own vocal instructor, jazz vocalist Alexis Cole, artistically leads the festival with Terrell. The pair have curated a robust schedule of workshops and masterclasses alongside nightly performances and jam sessions.
Vocal Jazz Summit pass holders will be able to attend performances, panels, and workshops from some of Jazz’s biggest names. Jane Monheit headlines the 2023 Festival with a Friday night performance, and Saturday night features a one-of-a-kind teacher’s showcase with GRAMMY-Nominated Artist Kate McGarry, Greta Matassa, and Brianna Thomas.
“The teacher showcase is electric! It is very rare to see such big names in vocal jazz perform alongside one another in one jam-packed weekend,” said Terrell of the 2023 lineup.
Attendees will have the chance to show off their own voices and perform alongside Johnny O’Neal and his trio at the Saturday night jam session. Ending the weekend on a high note, Sheila Jordan closes the Vocal Jazz Summit with a performance featuring famed duo partner Cameron Brown on bass.
For a limited time, attendees can take advantage of early bird ticket prices, and receive $100 off their all-access festival passes. Early bird passes are priced at just $175, and include access to all festival events, workshops, performances, and networking. The sale runs through March 15, 2023. Virtual Passes are also available for $75.
This year, The Z is proud to partner with the Virginia Beach Town Center Westin Hotel for specially discounted hotel rooms. Vocal Jazz Summit attendees can book their rooms with a 50% discount, and enjoy lodging for the festival within walking distance.
Vocal Jazz Summit runs Friday, June 23 – Sunday, June 25, 2023. For tickets, lodging, and a full list of events, workshops and sessions, visit www.vocaljazzsummit.org
Zeiders American Dream Theater is located at 4509 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Zeiders American Dream Theater is funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. Additional contributing sponsors include Audacy and Mitsa Group
ABOUT ZEIDERS AMERICAN DREAM THEATER
Zeiders American Dream Theater, known as The Z, is a professional, non-profit performing arts company whose mission is to provide a wide range of highly entertaining artistic experiences to the community by fostering and introducing new works and exceptionally gifted artists in all areas of the performing arts. The Z is a community hub for celebrating creative growth and entertainment. With intimate performance spaces and unique programming that generates an exciting connection between the performer and the audience, The Z inspires audiences and performers alike to tap into their own creative spark, unleash their dreams, and achieve their full potential.
ABOUT ALEXIS COLE – FESTIVAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
A dozen albums into her career, vocalist Alexis Cole is hitting her stride. As a sought after international performer, she’s appeared with her trio, with whom she both plays piano and sings, and is a frequent guest with big bands and pops orchestras. She’s the director of the Jazz Vocal program at the SUNY Purchase College conservatory and William Paterson University, the founder and director of the online educational community JazzVoice.com, and the cofounder and artistic director of the Virginia Beach Vocal Jazz Summit.
ABOUT LIZ TERRELL- FESTIVAL PRODUCER
Liz Terrell has been a part of The Zeiders American Dream Theater team since 2015 and currently serves as the Music and Community Series Producer after having worn many hats as the Company Manager, Artistic Associate, and Bookkeeper. When not working behind the scenes at The Z you can find her on stage performing as one of Virginia’s most sought after jazz vocalists. Over the past decade, Terrell’s musical career has navigated through the performance spectrum, ranging from musical theater and cabaret to touring Europe in a gospel ensemble until she found herself firmly planted in jazz. Her latest album “It’s All Right With Me” was met with critical acclaim and a warm welcome into the jazz world.
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