The Salmon Arm Actors Studio presents a vocal workshop with jazz and gospel vocalist Leora Cashe, who has the reputation of delivering an electrifying performance that audiences love.
Influenced by her experience in the gospel idiom, and by jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Dianne Reeves, her soulful, vocal style and stage presence creates an engaging performance that sends chills down audience members’ spines, says James Bowlby, workshop co-ordinator.
An accomplished graduate of Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan jazz program, Cashe has studied with some of the greatest contemporary jazz artists including Kurt Elling, Nancy King and Dee Daniels.
She has recorded and performed in concert with many celebrated Canadian artists including Brad Turner, Denzal Sinclaire, Jim Byrnes, Shari Ulrich, Canadian jazz legend Tommy Banks for CBC Radio and TV and opened for the late Stanley Turrentine at Vancouver’s International Jazz Festival.
Cashe has released four critically acclaimed independent CD’s and her debut CD Tears of Joy was nominated for Best Gospel Recording in The West Coast Music Awards.
Cashe is an in-demand performer, clinician and teacher of vocal workshops. Her kind and playful personality creates a safe and engaging atmosphere for her students, says Bowlby.
A two-evening workshop will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday March 20 and 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the SASCU Downtown Activity Centre.
This interactive workshop will have participants using their imagination to explore the voice as a living entity and find playful ways to integrate useful vocal technique.
“Through the conscious embodiment of our natural sound we connect to the alchemy of singing and experience a free and powerful voice,” Bowlby says.
“It’s a sacred space where the singer connects to the action of singing and discovers his/her vocal identity and connects to the power within.”
This session will include physical, energetic, vocal and alignment exercises and participants should bring two prepared songs with music to the workshop.
Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling James Bowlby at 250-832-8383 or by sending him an email at jamesbowlby@shaw.ca.
