Next Generation at Monterey

Rosana was honored to once again adjudicate in the vocal room at the Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA where young artists compete for a chance to perform at the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival in September. This festival took place April 4-6. As part of the festival, Rosana had the pleasure of performing on the kick-off concert with the other adjudicators including drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, pianist George Duke, saxophonist Billy Harper, guitarist Corey Christiansen, trumpeter Sal Cracchiolo, vocalist Lynne Fiddmont, bassist Dave Carpenter, and artist in residence Christian McBride on bass. For a complete list of adjudicators, click here.

Two for the Road

With a little encouragement from their pal (and engineer) Aaron Kelley, Rosana and guitarist Terry Hankins went into the studio and put together a CD of some of their "greatest hits" after years of gigging as a duo. Friendly and spontaneous, this collection of great songs is available for $15. Take a listen!

MJF Digital Music Education Project

Rosana Eckert was recently interviewed for a Digital Music Education Project created and sponsored by the Monterey Jazz Festival. The project is an online collection of excerpts from interviews done with 16 jazz artist/educators including Randy Brecker, John Clayton, George Duke, Bob Mintzer, Michele Weir, and Peter Erskine. Each artist speaks about their primary musical influences and offers a list of recommended listening for the aspiring jazz musician. There is also a listening library, organized by instrument, where the artists offer tips and techniques specific to their instrument. The project can be found at www.montereyjazzfestival.org/dmep.

CLASH OF THE CHOIRS

Thanks to all who voted! Gary Eckert (Rosana's husband and producer) recently worked as an arranger and choir master for the hit NBC live musical event, Clash of the Choirs. Five celebrities (Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Blake Shelton, Nick Lachey, and Kelly Rowland) each went back to their hometowns and put together choirs of 20 people to compete for $250,000 to donate to charity and the title of America's Best Choir. Gary was the arranger and choirmaster for country superstar Blake Shelton and his choir out of Oklahoma City. Gary arranged 9 songs and led 40 hours of rehearsal, and his choir was amazing!! They made it all the way to the finals and performed all the material they had prepared (clips of the show are on YouTube).

UNT Jazz Singers with guest duo Alison Wedding and Rosana

On Friday, November 30th Rosana joined one of her earliest jazz influences, the extraordinary Alison Wedding, in a special duo performance after a set by the award winning vocal ensemble the UNT Jazz Singers. Both Alison and Rosana sang in the UNT Jazz Singers while pursuing their degrees in jazz, and they were honored to share the stage with this wonderful group.

Seth Riggs Summer Vocal Program

Rosana once again had the pleasure of working on the faculty of the Seth Riggs Summer Vocal Program alongside some of the most inspirational and esteemed professionals in the music entertainment industry. Seth Riggs, renowned vocal-technique teacher and creator of Speech Level SingingTM, has coached some of the world's top performers including Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Luther Vandross, and Natalie Cole. To kick off the 10 day program, Rosana performed at the kick-off concert with other faculty and friends including Bobby Kimball from the legendary band TOTO, renowned lyric tenor Phil Webb, and Grammy winning Gospel/R&B artist Jamie Jones.

Calling all MySpacers

Yep. She caved. Rosana is now on myspace. You can find her at myspace.com/rosanaeckert.

Independent Music Awards

Rosana's debut album, At the End of the Day, was a finalist for Best Album of the Year in the category of Jazz in the 2006 Independent Music Awards. Click here to view the complete list of winners and finalists.

Being Gemini

El Paso trumpeter Marty Olivas has released his debut CD, Being Gemini, on Shade Records. Rosana made a guest appearance on the CD for two songs and joined Marty for the first CD release party at the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino in Sunland Park, NM.

Japan Release

Rosana's CD, At the End of the Day, was released in Japan in 2004. The CDs can be found at Tower Records, HMV, and Sinseido stores throughout Japan.

WOW

Rosana joined the team at WOW Entertainment, a Dallas-based music production company owned by arranger/producer Mark Brymer, for production of over 300 children's songs arranged and recorded for the latest Hal Leonard/McGraw Hill general music textbook series. Rosana assisted both as a producer of children's vocals, soloist, and as a "super-sized kid" vocal ringer, and she had the pleasure of working with wonderful young singers from the Children's Choir of Greater Dallas as well as school choirs from around the metroplex. The McGraw Hill/Macmillan textbooks are now available and are being presented to school districts throughout the country.

CD RELEASE!

Rosana released her first full-length CD, At the End of the Day, on April 22, 2003. Produced by Gary Eckert, this project features her original songs and arrangements as well as commissioned arrangements by renowned vocal jazz arrangers Paris Rutherford and Michele Weir. Performing on the CD with Rosana are Brian Piper (piano), John Adams (bass), Aaron Kelley (guitars), Mike Drake (drums), Gary Eckert (percussion/producer), Rodney Booth (trumpet/flugel), and Chris McGuire (sax/flute). It is available for $15. Take a listen!