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Delores Ashford
- New York, NY
- United States
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Welcome, Delores Ashford!
Profile Information
- What instrument do you play?
- vocalist
- Who influenced you to listen to jazz
- my brothers
- How did you find out about the WDCJN?
- We got an e-mail
- Where are you located?
- New York City
- Tell us about yourself
- Delores A Pownall is originally from Chicago. She began taking private classical vocal instruction at Roosevelt University from Professor Scanlon. She later went on to the Fine Arts School near the end before its closing and continued at the American Conservatory with private classical vocal instruction. Her intention was to be a cabaret singer. She sang at Andy's in Chicago and at the Chicago Summer Concert Festival at the Civic Center in Chicago.
She moved to New York and began working with Carlo Monati, an outstanding classical vocal teacher who felt that she should pursue a classical career because she had a natural classical legit voice. She studied with Carlo Monati for two years and decided that she did not want to sing classical even though she liked it. She felt that she was being forced into something that she did not want. So she started to work with Jerry King and Lynn Starling, a vocal and acting teacher. She did the Band Shell in Central Park and then she had her first night club gig at Jan Wallman's club in the Village. She also sang at the Needham Pub in New York. She moved back to Chicago where she began vocal lessons with Marc Innis. Since she had gone to a finishing school for modeling, she began to pursue that, which led her into films and print work. She moved back to New York in 1998.
She began taking vocal classes from the late Ann Tell. By this time she knew that cabaret was not for her any more. She had grown up listening to Jazz and it was probably there all along, she had not realized it. Her favorite singers were Sarah Vaughn and Ella FitzGerald. She felt her voice was more like Sarah's. She did a concert at CAMI Hall called "An Afternoon of Jazz Vocals" (across from Carnegie Hall) in New York. This concert was dedicated to her mother, Louise, and her brother, Frank, and her late voice teacher, Ann Tell. She then did a two-day Tea featuring Jazz Vocals at Christ Church at 60th and Park Avenue. After Ann's passing she did not look for another voice teacher right away.
It took her a while to find the right vocal coach and she found that person at the IAJE at a workshop she took with the New York Voices. And she took a few classes with Kim Nazarian of the New York Voices. She then did six weeks at Miss Elle's with "An Evening of Jazz Vocals". She began writing songs, she had never thought about that, it just happened. It was at Miss Elle's where she began to produce shows every week. That was something she had never thought about doing. But God gave her the wisdom and knowledge of how to go about it. She produced 55 shows there on Thursdays, from Jazz to Cabaret, R&B, gospel, classical and folk. Most of her shows were Jazz. She had such good Jazz musicians that played for her, that had graduated from prestigious musical schools, like the Manhattan School for Music. She wanted to help find them work.
Producing shows at Miss Elle's was not about making money, it was about the love of the art. She gave the artists 80% of the door. That's when she decided to go into management and look for other venues. She was at the former West End Cafe 7 to 8 months bringing in jazz musicians and singers for Saturday brunches until music was discontinued at the West End. She also was able to book some of her musicians into The Garage. She stayed at Miss Elle's for three and a half years until Miss Elle's closed its doors January 1st, 2006.
She is very grateful to Miss Elle for opening her doors to her and letting her pursue artistic events there. She is currently working on festivals for her artists now and getting them more club work. She is an Associate Member of IAJE. A member of ASCAP and the International Women in Jazz. Nothing makes her happier than to see her artists performing, whether it's singing or playing jazz. She is still taking voice classes and intends to go back into singing when she can find the time for herself to put a show together! She is constantly looking for good jazz musicians and singers: that is her passion. This is the path God has led her down and she has accepted the responsibility with all the ups and downs in this business.
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Executive Director & Founder
Washington DC Jazz Network
Since 2008
New CD Release
Walk Spirit Talk Spirit
Talkin Jazz! Speakin Jazz! Real Jazz!
Listen to WPFW
Robyn's Place with Robyn Holden, Friday 7 - 10 pm
Good Music and Conversation
Special Guest
George V Johnson Jr
Friday, July 22, 2022
8:00 pm
featuring New CD Release
Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit! Wpfwfm.org
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Looking forward to this Sunday Serenade come Sunday April 24th, when VTY Jazz pays their respects to trombonist Benny Powell. All of this will be going down live at the fabulous Cutting Room and just to pull your coats, their will be no squares allowed �de42. If your Hip you know the deal and where to be come Sunday April 24th. Reservations are strongly suggested, 917-882-9539. April is Jazz Appreciation month, but for the Hip, Jazz appreciation is 24/7 twelve months a year. If your not Hip you need to get Hip quick because you're missing some great music and vibes. Hope to see you live and in-person at the Cutting Room on April 24th.
Congratulations, Herb Scott, on being named Recipient of 2022 JOSEPH R. BIDEN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE
#POTUS
A True Cultural Warrior Thank you for your hard work and dedication to America's Classical Music "So Called Jazz."
Keep on Swinging!
I'm very happy to inform you the Digital Copy of my New Album
Walk Spirit Talk Spirit
Is Available On All Major Streaming Platforms
Orrin Evans
The DC Jazz Festival in collaboration with the Howard University Department of Music is presenting jazz pianist Orrin Evans in a 3 day jazz residency beginning on March 15-17, 2022.
For me, music and life are all about style~~~Miles Davis
Cock your hat - angles are attitudes~~Frank Sinatra
A different type of church
Straight Ahead Live Jazz
Every Friday 6-9pm
"It's the best deal in town"
Bring the family * Spread the word * Let's celebrate!
Dick Smith
Executive Producer
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
Howard Alden & Jeanne Gies
November 5, 2012
JEANNE GIES
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
w/ Master Guitarist
New York Post observes that he is "...one of the very finest young guitarists working today."
October 29, 2012
The W.D.C.J.N. is now internationally reaching Jazz musician, enthusiasts and aficionados, promoters, festivals of Jazz around the world. A real eye opener for people researching the history and present day development an evolution of America’s only original art form and historical legacy.
Sincerely!!!
Maxwell Price
An Advocate for Preserving America's Classical Music, "JAZZ", it's African American Heritage, Roots & Legacy throughout the world!
Executive Director & Founder
Washington DC Jazz Network
The Eddie Jefferson School of Bop
Hello George, I am proud to be a member of the Washington DC Jazz Network (WDJN).
I am able to find out what's going on in town and on the east coast
and to network with other musicians. I get a lot of my news from the emails I receive from WJN.
I also would like to thank you for supporting the Jazz
program at Howard University in Washington, DC. Keep up the great work.~~~FRED IRBY
The Howard University Jazz Ensemble will present it's Fall Concert @ Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel.
The guest soloist will be saxophonist Javon Jackson. Mr. Jackson is a veteran of the bands of Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones and Les McCann. There will also be a performance by AFRO BLUE, the award winning vocal jazz ensemble.
WATSON-JOHNSON
DANCE THEATRE
Trenton New Jersey's Premiere Dance Institution
Presents
"NUTCRACKER CAFE' AU LAIT" Sat., Dec. 22, 2012 RSVP Today!
Bring the Entire Family!
Available for
Bookings & Tours
609.403.6070
Ms. Carol
Artistic Director Founder Choreographer
B.F.A. Howard University 1980
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
Washington DC Jazz Network Welcomes
Public Service Announcements (PSA) on radio and television stations.
Support the Network that Supports you!
I fully endorse this institution and encourage anyone that is fond of Jazz to visit the Washington D.C. Jazz Network; today and become a member or make a donation to a worthy cause.
Sincerely!!!
Maxwell Price
TODAY!
A different type of church
Straight Ahead Live Jazz
Every Friday 6-9pm
"It's the best deal in town"
Bring the family * Spread the word * Let's celebrate!
Dick Smith
Executive Producer
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
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I apologize for taking so long to reply. Hopefully things are going well in Vegas now. I play artists music during the time between segments. Which is usually one song per show. The artists are usually those whom I am actively promoting via my Connection Bureau www.ljsconnectionbureau.com.
I see from your website that you're a pretty busy person. Feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.
Thanks
Louie
847-991-8628
Enjoy
WDCJN