Bio | Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet | Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet

Critics have declared Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet (UVJQ): ”as versatile and entertaining as any vocal group you will hear”… “electrifying”…“pure fun”…“sensational” … “exceptional”…“old school moving to new cool” …”vocalese at its best.” Countless reviewers, broadcasters, and listeners worldwide have praised them as a standout for their creative originality and superb musicality. For more than two decades, UVJQ (Ginny Carr, Robert McBride, Holly Shockey, Andre Enceneat) backed by their jazz rhythm section (Alan Blackman, piano; Max Murray, bass; Steve Herberman, guitar; Frank Russo, drums) have built a loyal audience across five continents with their stylized arrangements of head-turning original songs and harmonically rich renditions of American Songbook classics. With their tight harmonies, engaging presentation and vocal sass, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet (UVJQ) has put their creative signature on the group vocal style that mixes great fun with great art. They have been highly celebrated for extending the vocal jazz repertoire beyond standards and made their own songbook of originals the spotlight of their ear-popping arrangements.

UVJQ has been heralded by such legendary artists as saxophonist Richie Cole, singer/songwriter Bob Dorough, and singer Don Shelton (The Singers Unlimited and The Hi-Lo’s) as one of the most creative and captivating vocal jazz groups on the scene today. Richie Cole, who has worked extensively with The Manhattan Transfer and been featured on their Grammy-winning albums, declared UVJQ “My new discovery, the whole package.” He instantly recognized their audience appeal and the unique songwriting and versatile arranging talents of their leader, Ginny Carr. A fan of jazz vocal harmonies and a prolific songwriter himself, Cole invited Carr to arrange his own songs for UVJQ and work with him on a recording featuring their collective original songs. Their collaborative release “Vocal Madness” is a high-flying and highly original songbook performed by the power ensemble of Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet and their rhythm section, with guest Richie Cole on sax.

UVJQ’s albums have been played extensively on XM Sirius Radio’s Real Jazz Channel and have made the Billboard Top 25 Jazz Albums Chart, JazzWeek Top 50 Radio Chart (multiple consecutive weeks), Washington Post Editor’s Picks and Amazon’s Best Sellers. UVJQ has been interviewed and featured twice in a Performance Chat with legendary host Susan Stamberg on NPR’s “Weekend Edition.” They have also been profiled and played on thousands of radio programs worldwide, including regular rotation on popular syndicated satellite and streaming broadcasts such as XM Sirius’s Real Jazz, PRI’s Jazz After Hours, JazzWorks,, Pandora Radio. UVJQ is a featured artist in a video interview on Behind The Mic, an internationally popular site featuring interviews with the renowned innovators of vocal jazz. Ms. Carr was selected as a finalist for Washington’s first annual Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Competition and her original songs, performed by UVJQ, have been featured on Maryland Public Television.

In 2014 UVJQ was a headliner performer and presented songwriting/arranging master classes at the iconic DeMiero Jazz Festival in Edmonds, Washington, then celebrating its 37th year. Founder Frank DeMiero, a national pioneer and promoter of vocal jazz performance and education, selected UVJQ’s songs and arrangements for his Sound Music Publications catalog, establishing the “Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet Series” as a source of innovative performance material for vocal jazz ensembles. A growing number of college and professional groups are today performing and recording UVJQ’s original compositions and arrangements.

Since 2004, UVJQ has performed on many occasions with with the renowned Cote Ouest Big Band at jazz festivals and popular venues and events in France. In addition, they have performed on the headliner stages at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Detroit International Jazz Festival, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, and Festival Miami, on the bill with jazz giants Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Sonny Rollins, Dr. John, and many others. They have performed as guest artists with symphony orchestras and big bands, including the US Army Blues at the US Capitol. They have opened concerts for such jazz legends as the Four Freshmen, Ahmad Jamal, and the late Charlie Byrd, and been featured performers at hundreds of clubs, festivals, concert series and special events throughout the US. UVJQ was also included on the 2008 Sony/BMG European compilation CD release, “Ladies and Gentlemen: the Best of Vocal Jazz”. The collection also included such vocal jazz legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, The Manhattan Transfer, and the NY Voices.