 Roseanna Vitro brings a wealth of swing, melodic improvisation and heartfelt expression
to the jazz idiom. She combines a vibrant energy and spirit, a deep
understanding of the history and theoretical elements of jazz with her
rhythmic, soulful southern roots to produce her own unique sound and
style. Her many CDs have featured Elvin Jones, David “Fathead” Newman,
George Coleman, Al Foster, Kenny Barron, Kenny Werner, Gary Bartz and
Fred Hersch. Roseanna was inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame
in 1998. This was a great homecoming and return to her roots.
Roseanna grew up in Texarkana Arkansas and moved to Houston
Texas where she was mentored by the great saxophonist, Arnett Cobb. She
presented live radio shows and sang with the visiting artists such as
Oscar Peterson before moving on to New York City. Shortly thereafter,
she toured with Lionel Hampton’s band and soon became a regular
Performer in New York’s hottest jazz clubs.
Roseanna has been a “Jazz Ambassador” long before she was
discovered by the Kennedy Center. In 2003, she and pianist Hilton Ruiz
performed three concerts to packed houses for the U.S. Embassy in
Beirut. On an extended trip to Bombay in 1998, Roseanna began her study
of Indian classical vocal technique, which was documented in her article
in the IAJE Educator’s Journal. The article, “From Bebop to Bombay,” is
also the name of her eclectic ensemble that debuted at Birdland in New
York, featuring Renee Rosnes, piano; Don Braden, tenor sax; Dan Weiss,
tablas; Tim Horner, drums, Bob Bowen, bass and classical Indian
vocalist, Usha Kallianpurkar. Arts International sponsored her November
2002 appearance in Bombay for the annual Jazz Yatra Festival. Roseanna
was also featured with the Maribor Philharmonic Orchestra in Slovenia
that was televised throughout Eastern Europe.
Jazz pianist Marian McPartland twice featured Roseanna on
NPR’s “Piano Jazz” and recording “Cool Yule” with her for an NPR
Christmas CD. In May 2003, Roseanna performed with legendary
saxophonist Benny Golson at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Her
hectic schedule includes innumerable festival and club dates around the
world in addition to her educational endeavors . Roseanna is now in
her ninth year as director
of the Jazz Vocal Program at New Jersey City University as well
as a sought after clinician at university jazz study programs throughout
the country.
On this trip to
South Florida, Roseanna will be accompanied by New
York-based drummer and frequent collaborator, Tim Horner, as well
as pianist Michael Orta and bassist
Dr Donald Wilner.
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