Johnaye Kendrick was raised in San Diego, CA. In 2005, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Western Michigan University. She was honored with a recital with Fred Hersch and received the DownBeat Student Music Award in Outstanding Jazz Vocalist during her time at Western Michigan. Ms. Kendrick was admitted to Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in the fall 2007. Johnaye was able to work with some of the most renowned jazz musicians including Terence Blanchard and Wayne Shorter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Danilo Peez, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Brian Blade, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Rosenfeld, and Herbie Hancock while she attended Thelonious Monk Institute. In 2009, she received an Artist’s Diploma at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz as well as a Masters in Jazz Studies degree from Loyola University. Johnaye graduated from the Monk Institute and was hired immediately by Nicholas Payton. He raves that Johnaye “has the potential to become a vocalist in the highest order; the kind of singer we have rarely seen since the great dames of the golden age of jazz roamed around the earth.” Johnaye is a vocalist for the Ellis Marsalis Quartet as well as the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. The Orchestra was awarded a Grammy(r), in 2009, for the “Best Large Jazz Ensemble album” category. Ms. Kendrick appears on Book 1. Johnaye has performed at many festivals, concert halls and clubs including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Rio das Ostras Jazz Festival, Burghausen Jazz Festival and International Jazz Festival Bern. She also won a Grammy(r) Award in 2009 for their album Book 1. She has performed with her own band at many venues, including the Earshot Jazz Festival and Lima Jazz Festival, Royal Room. Tula’s. Festival Sundiata. NW African American Museum, Chihuly Gardens, and others. Johnaye sings original music as well as reinterpreting classic jazz and blues songs. She is known for her graceful renditions jazz standards. She also composes music and lyrics, often accompanying herself on harmonium and violin, viola, and percussion. Jimmy Heath said that Johnaye was more than a singer. Johnaye is a musician, with a beautiful instrument, and open ears. She resides in Seattle, WA, where she is an Associate Professor of Jazz Voice at Cornish College of the Arts. She was nominated as the “Northwest Vocalist” for the Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award in 2013. Her debut CD, Here, was recorded, produced, and released by the johnygirl label. This CD features 12 Johnaye original compositions. Here sees her supported by Dawn Clement, Chris Symer, and D’Vonne and Byron Vannoy Lewis, drummers. Visit www.johnaye.com
