Andrea Wolper

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Andrea Wolper has been described as "a giant singer" (In Tune International) with "an inventive, thrilling, appealing musical vision" (Blogcritics) who “brings songs to life, whatever their source, working in a milieu that begins with jazz and reaches out to embrace an expressive area that is uniquely her own" (International Review of Music). Mixing genres, crossing boundaries, as accomplished and at home with the Great American Songbook as she is with spontaneous improvisation, Andrea approaches all her music with an adventurous, open spirit. Her original songs, as well as her unusual arrangements of standards and music from a variety of genres and sources, reveal a dynamic, singular musical sensibility that reaches audiences beyond category.

Andrea's quintet CD, "Parallel Lives" (Jazzed Media) received stellar reviews upon its release in late 2011, and was included in three end-of-year critics' lists; her 2005 release, "The Small Hours" (VarisOne.Jazz), also earned high critical praise. Andrea leads The Andrea Wolper Trio/Qt., appearing in her New York home base and touring nationally and internationally. She's also a member of TranceFormation (with Connie Crothers and Ken Filiano), is a member of The Heavenly Big Band, and has appeared as a guest artist with numerous other jazz and improvising ensembles. She teaches vocal technique, and leads workshops for vocalists and for all musicians on using improvisation as a tool for releasing music with spontaneity and freedom. She is a former president of International Women in Jazz and was on the Advisory Board of the Jazz Vocal Coalition. She is listed as one of "The 521 Great Jazz Singers" in Scott Yanow's "The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide."

photo by Michael Keel

Andrea appears in clubs, festivals and concert halls in the U.S. and internationally. New York performance credits include Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (Jazz at Lincoln Center), JVC New York Jazz Festival, Kitano, Sweet Rhythm, 55 Bar, Cornelia Street Café, Zinc Bar, Makor, The Stone, Iridium, and more; she appeared by special invitation in "A Singers Celebration" at the Blue Note in New York, joining an impressive roster of jazz vocalists. Appearances across the U.S. and abroad include yearly tours in Germany, Donne in Musica Festival (Italy), Centro Cultural de Belem (Portugal), Jazz at the Cape (South Africa), Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Jazz on the Plazz (CA), Dizzy's (San Diego), and performances on numerous other concert and festival stages.

"Parallel Lives," Andrea's newest recording (Jazzed Media) features her working group with guitarist Michael Howell, pianist Kris Davis, bassist Ken Filiano, and drummer Michael T.A. Thompson. Her 2005 CD, "The Small Hours" (VarisOne.Jazz), built around her trio with guitarist Ron Affif and bassist Ken Filiano, was produced by Todd Barkan, and features drummers Victor Lewis and Jamey Haddad, and guest artists Lou Marini (flute) and Frank London (trumpet and flugelhorn). One of her original songs from that album, Not Sleeping in Your Arms, is the 3rd-most downloaded track of all time at AllAboutJazz.com. Andrea's 1998 self-titled debut CD was also praised in music industry journals and has been the subject of radio feature presentations.

Andrea is one third of the improvising trio TranceFormation, with Filiano and renowned pianist Connie Crothers; the trio's live concert CD will be released in 2012. Objects in Mirror, with Adam Caine (guitar), Fung Chern Hwei (violin), and Ken Yamazaki (percussion), is a quartet blending improvisation, compositions, and text. Andrea has been a featured vocalist in Art Lillard's Heavenly Big Band for ten years, and has appeared as a guest artist with numerous other small and large ensembles.

Andrea loves teaching. She offers private singing lessons in her studio, as well as clinics in essentials/coaching for jazz vocalists and on releasing music with freedom and spontaneity. She is a past President of International Women in Jazz, and served on the Advisory Board of the Jazz Vocal Coalition.

She is also an accomplished writer whose journalism and poetry have appeared in numerous publications. Among her works are two books, "Women's Rights, Human Rights: International Feminist Perspectives" (with Julie S. Peters: Routledge) and "The Actor's City Sourcebook" (Watson-Guptill). In addition, Andrea has spent time on the stage, and first came to New York from her native California to attend the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. Andrea earned a black belt in Shotokan Karate. She is a human rights activist, and an advisor to Women Mentor Women.