Berklee Educators Release Jazz A Cappella CD

Boston's auspicious Berklee College of Music is home to four out of five members of the vocal jazz a cappella group, Vox One. Jodi Jenkins Ainsworth (soprano), Yumiko Matsuoka Young (also), Paul Pampinella (baritone) and Paul Stiller (tenor & vocal percussion) are current faculty members at Berklee, recognized as America's preminent jazz music institution. Now, joined by fellow Berklee alum and bass singer Tom Baskett, the quintet has recorded their first CD in seven years: Pure Imagination, a collection of off-the-beaten track originals, covers and spontaneous improvs.

Formed initially while still students in the mid 1990's, Vox One established its reputation in short order with a spate of award winning recordings (Vox One, Out There, Chameleon and Say You Love Me). Called “most adventurous and distinctive" by the San Francisco Examiner, their proprietary blend of musical ingredients pushes the boundaries of a variety musical styles and vocal techniques. Named “Best A Cappella Group, Jazz" by Boston Magazine, Vox One has opened for artists such as Ray Charles, Chicago and the Count Basie Orchestra. Deftly infusing elements of jazz, folk, gospel, blues and world music, a first-time listener of Vox One may be amazed to hear a variety of instruments such as drums, bass, horns, and guitar - all produced entirely by voices and voices only!

Pure Imagination will be released on the Primarily A Cappella Records specialty label, and will be available via the Primarily A Cappella's vast online catalog, singers.com, and distributed to record stores nationally. Vox One were one of PAC Records first signings, and the label is eager to renew the group's relationship with a cappella listeners, who appreciate Vox One's intricate musical arrangements, inventive improvs,and unexpected reharmonizations.