About Valley Jazz Voices
Sharing the Joy of Vocal Jazz
Valley Jazz Voices (VJV) brings together singers and audiences who are passionate about jazz vocal music.
Directed by Jeff Olmsted, VJV performs a rich and diverse repertoire in four part harmony, drawing from swing, bebop, cool, Brazilian and pop-inspired jazz arrangements. Based in Northampton, Massachusetts, Valley Jazz Voices is the longest-running community jazz vocal ensemble in Western Mass, starting in 2014.
Valley Jazz Voices welcomes singers of all genders, ages and abilities, including seasoned professionals, aspiring students and dedicated amateurs.
The ensemble typically performs three times per season accompanied by a professional jazz trio at Western Mass. jazz venues, First Night Northampton and senior residences. The group of 25 to 30 singers of all genders hail from up and down Western Massachusetts – and even from Connecticut.
Valley Jazz Voices has generated great enthusiasm from audiences and the jazz community, as it fills an important need for jazz singers and audiences in the Western Mass. region.
Musical Team
Jeff Olmsted, Director
Composer, pianist, arranger, and educator Jeff Olmsted is based in Northampton, Massachusetts and has been directing Valley Jazz Voices since 2016. Some of VJV’s favorite pieces were written and/or arranged by him.
Jeff was the founder and director of the Interfaith Fellowship Choir, which performed at New York City venues including the Open Center, the World Trade Center, St. Peter’s (the “Jazz Church”), and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. His compositions based on the poetry of Rumi resulted in concerts, a CD, and a chamber orchestra piece commissioned and premiered by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. A native of Northampton, Jeff returned to his hometown in 2010. He directs two a-cappella groups, On That Note and the Wise Guys. His musical comedy Tar2f! was premiered by Silverthorne Theatre in 2018. He teaches people to play the piano.
Jazz Trio
Valley Jazz Voices is accompanied by a professional jazz trio (piano, bass, drums) including some of the Valley’s most esteemed players.
Our History and Structure
Valley Jazz Voices was founded in 2014 by a small group of singers from Western Massachusetts who had sung together in Valley Jazz Choir under the direction of Tony Lechner. The group is led by a committed volunteer steering committee which organizes all administrative, promotional and financial aspects to ensure the group’s success. All members are welcome to join the steering committee and share their talents.