Reaching for the Moon was the third album by jazz singer Roseanna Vitro, released in 1991 on the CMG label. Vitro explores a number of genres, accompanied by pianist-arranger Kenny Werner and a varying cast of featured and supporting players, including saxophonists George Coleman, Joe Lovano and Kirk Whalum, drummer Tom Rainey, bassists Harvie Swartz and Ratzo Harris, and percussionists Mino Cinelu, Steve Berrios and Café de Silva.]
2024 - 2025 Roseanna Vitro
Listen Here—1st Re-release
Holly Cooper / MOUTHPIECE MUSIC
(310) 993-4017
holly@mouthpiecemusic.com www.mouthpiecemusic.com
Better Days Ahead: Operation Reboot Music
Covid has brought a new way of appreciating what we have and what we had. Survival and Peace of mind are the challenge for all of us in this pandemic. I begin this year with the re-release of my very first album, “Listen Here.” originally released in 1985 only on vinyl. Kenny Barron piano, Buster Williams bass, Ben Riley drums, Arnett Cobb tenor, Scott Hardy guitar, Duduka da Fonseca percussion, special guest pianist, Bliss Rodriguez “Centerpiece.” I’m grateful for all the great music I’ve sung and the best of the best musicians I’ve recorded and toured with. This album is where it all started. May 2021 bring the end to covid and renewed passion and love for our fellow man.
August 2020 - Settled into South Orange, NJ. Studio under construction!
MOVING! is huge after 35 years in our beloved Mt. Horeb house. This is an amazing structure where Paul Wickliffe, creator of Skyline Studios (36 West 37th St. NYC. now Reservoir Studios) earned gold records -for quality sound and engineer for a host of famous names, Eric Clapton, Maria Carey, Al Jarreau and too many more. Charlestown Road in Clinton, NJ. is still going and mixes on Mt. Horeb Rd. will continue through the move. Closing is September 7th, 2019.
Roseanna Vitro will take up teaching in South Orange, NJ. and online for the California Jazz Conservatory online classes mondays and thursdays at 3 pm. will a full space, grand piano, sound system, full recording studio and video capabilities. Plus- Paul and Roseanna will become grandparents in late November. Great life changes.
Our first project is re-releasing “Listen Here” on cd and streaming for the first time. This classic album was released in 1984 on Texas Rose Music featuring Kenny Barron’s Trio, Ben Riley, Buster Williams and Arnett Cobb on tenor saxophone, Bliss Rodriguez piano on Centerpiece, Scott Hardy guitar, Duduka Da Fonseca percussion. Fred Hersch wrote the arrangements. More news soon.
We are so grateful for the World Jazz Communities support and all our family and friends. Thank you for the Trust and love all these years in the business of Jazz!
April in New York
Thank you, David Alvarez, El Cantor De Jazz Podcast, Granada, Spain- for featuring 34 years, and 14 recordings of my music. I am truly honored. Previous podcasts feature, "The Music of Count Basie" "Flamenco Music" and more--Subscribe and support a true Music Podcast. Subscribe!
https://elcantordejazz.blogspot.com/2019/04/el-cantor-de-jazz-2019x06-roseanna-vitro.html?fbclid=IwAR3az_xL4LI7PhIstc9LMq5BkT7GFSR68yA7ySvFNnv3s09VdWWbFqX7Apk
Gratitude-Review 2018
As Christmas 2018 approaches, I sit in gratitude for my family, friends and all the new faces I met on the road this fall while on tour. I visited cities I’ve missed the past couple of years. This year was filled with emotions regarding my 92 year old mother, Ruby Mae. Ruby is an inspiration to everyone who’s encountered her grace, love of singing and joyous spirit. I’ve traveled several times this year to Dallas, Texas checking on family. I enjoyed gigs to promote: “Tell Me the Truth” at Stoney’s Wine Bar and The Jazz Kitchen, both venues owned and operated by true jazz fans. The promotion for our first Skyline-Records cd, my fourteenth release, “Tell Me the Truth” was a success in many ways. I felt I told the stories I needed to tell, traveled the road back to my roots, plus made a political statement that needed to be made. I loved the group, some of the baddest instrumentalists in the world today; Mark Soskin, my partner for three albums, piano and arranging, Tim Ries, phenomenal tenor saxophonist who’s recorded sporadically with me since 1993, Dean Johnson a highly in demand bassist and pal who’s played on several gigs and the past three albums, Mitch Stein guitarist who’s simply the rockin’est/ bad ass, improvising cat I know, Rudy Royston drums was the new voice in this group, truly an amazing musician, an addition to any group and Nathan Eklund on trumpet, a great teacher and band leader whom I taught with at NJCU for several years. This was a stellar jazz band capable of Coltrane through the Rolling Stones, the deepest blues, gospel and Patsy Cline, that’s not an easy find. I’m grateful and honored these musicians gave me their best at Birdland Theater in September for our cd release and made the trek to Scullers in Boston. Mark Soskin and I put together groups for Denver, Minneapolis and Los Angeles. I also touched down in Nashville, TN. connecting with Pat Coil, great pianist, teacher and old friend who hooked up a great band for my music at Rudy’s Jazz Club. A huge Thank you to all my friends and musicians, Jeff Levenson editing and connections, Elizabeth Tomboulian, dear friend and pro taking care of maddening details in our office, Lee Tomboulian - arrangements, ie. the title track “Tell Me the Truth” plus many transpositions, updated chart copies, study help - you name it..Sarah Wickliffe and Mark Stetson, Sarah’s the best daughter a mom could have and film director, editor of my first concept video: “Tell Me the Truth”, Chuck and Sara Fishbein, videographer team for our video promo EPK recorded “live” at WBGO Radio in Newark plus 5 performance videos, captured at Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair, NJ. Michael Bourne, dj Singers Unlimited at WBGO, interviews and airplay, John Abbott Photography, a girls best pal for photos, Adele Fass, make up and hair for all of my images in recent years, even at the Grammy’s in 2012. Mike Carlson Mcpro Radio promotions and Doreen D’Agostino Media publicist. Of course, none of this happens without my partner in life, Paul Wickliffe, III. husband, recording engineer, producer, lyricist, advisor and confidant. Thank you! On to 2019.
thank you DJ’s for your support of: Tell Me the Truth!
“The Golden Rule, with a groove...”– Michael Bourne, WBG0
“[Roseanna has] a propensity for eclecticism, drawing on a wide range of songs and sources from well beyond the jazz tradition.”– Will Friedwald, City View, New York
”Tell Me the Truth is additional evidence that Roseanna Vitro is in the top tier of contemporary jazz vocalists. – Joe Bebco, The Syncopated Times
“Vitro leverages [this album] to define her beliefs about America, past and present.” – Christopher Louden, JazzTimes
“… a culling of songs from the American South that resonate with her politics and Arkansas roots… sung with her customary combo of punch and restraint.” —Britt Robson, CityPages
ROSEANNA VITRO & SOUTHERN ROOTS BAND VIDEOS
1. Your Mind is On Vacation- https://vimeo.com/261416707
2. Walkin’ After Midnight - https://vimeo.com/261056307
3. Tell Me the Truth - https://vimeo.com/261243019
4. When Will I Be Loved? - https://vimeo.com/261656980
5. On Your Way Down - https://vimeo.com/261736672
WICR INDIANAPOLIS
WJSU JACKSON
TOP SPIN MARKETS:
WUMR MEMPHIS 14
KCSM SAN FRANCISCO 13
KBEM MINN. 12
WCLK ATLANTA 8
JAZZ 24/7 WGBH 8
WUSF TAMPA 5
WICR INDIANAPOLIS 5
TOP TWENTY TWO MARKETS:
KCSM SAN FRANCISCO MKT. 20
KBEM MINN.MKT.16
WCLK ATLANTA MKT. 15
JAZZ 24/7 FROM WGBH BOSTON MKT. 10
WUSF TAMPA MKT. 19
KSDS SAN DIEGO MKT. 17
WBGO NEAR/NEW YORK MKT. 30
KUVO DENVER MKT. 20
WDCB CHICAGO MKT.3
SYNDICATION:
WFMT CHICAGO - BASED
INTERNET RADIO:
SOULANDJAZZ.COM
JAZZ 24/7 FROM WGBH
MOJA RADIO AND VOICE OF AMERICA
JAZZ FROM GALLERY 41
PLAY:
WESM PRINCESS ANNE
WBGU BOWLING GREEN
WJSU JACKSON
KANU LAWRENCE/KC
KCSB SANTA BARBARA
WTJU CHARLOTTESVILLE
KIOS OMAHA
WGMC ROCHESTER
WHRV NORFOLK
WGVU GRAND RAPIDS
WWSP STEVENS POINT
WICR INDIANAPOLIS
KEWU SPOKANE
WUMR MEMPHIS
WFIU BLOOMINGTON
WRIR RICHMOND
WBAA PURDUE UNIV.
Thank you for watching: "Tell Me The Truth"
In an age of "alternative facts", Tell Me The Truth is right on time.
An original, poignant concept video has always been a dream of mine, and I'm so happy to announce that we've made that dream a reality with "Tell Me The Truth"! Originally conceived as a tribute to the late Jon Hendricks, I wanted to adapt his classic 1960's song "Tell Me The Truth" to apply to the culture that surrounds us today in America. I solicited the help of my daughter, Sarah Wickliffe (a graphic artist, animator, editor, and film-maker) and her colleague Mark Stetson (film and video production pro) to compile some images and footage to illustrate the weighty lyrics of this song, always keeping in mind the search for truth. Please enjoy the video, and never give up on the truth!
Tell Me The Truth (Watch)
For more information on the film-makers, please visit Sarah and Mark's portfolios below:
Sarah Wickliffe: www.sarahwickliffe.com
Mark Stetson: (Production Reel) https://vimeo.com/253061775/dff8872672