Sames-Butler Jazz Vocal Ensemble

Sames-Butler Jazz Vocal Ensemble

More Information
Related Teaching Artists
Related Assemblies
Related Residencies
Related Workshops
Did You Know?

  • Barry Sames produced several videos for fitness guru Richard Simmons.

Led by Barry Sames and Sherry Wilson-Butler, this ensemble presents Vocal Improvisation and Harmony Around the World assembly and residency programs, as well as tailored workshop programs for vocal students.   This versatile group offers repertoire in a multiple styles, ranging from gospel to rhythm and blues, to jazz and beyond.  The ensemble’s assembly and residency programs delve into jazz and vocal music from around the world and give students experience in singing and playing rhythms of Latin, African, jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, and gospel genres. It also provides an interactive forum for learning vocal improvisation. Assemblies feature a varied program with Sherry on vocals, Barry on keyboard, Leon Boykins on bass, and John Coley on percussions. During workshops, percussion instruments serve as tools to teach underlying rhythms and demonstrate their history, while also accompanying the vocals.  Other teaching tools include rhythm tracks on the laptop to be used with piano for each workshop. At the end of a residency, the students will have assimilated the valuable experience of singing in each of these music styles with solid modeling by Sherry. The group also offers a stand-alone assembly that is a concise presentation of the workshop material.

The Sames-Butler Jazz Vocal Ensemble has been on Musicopia’s Roster of Teaching Artists since 2007.

Back to Ensembles