Vincent Wolfe

Canadian jazz vocalist Vincent Wolfe has spent the last decade carving out a reputation as one of the most original and promising interpreters of song on the recent jazz scene. His captivating warmth and vocal expressiveness have been described by Manhattan Transfer founding member Laurel Massé as “somewhere between Chet Baker and Mel Tormé… a wonderful place to be!” According to soul-jazz legend Marlena Shaw, Vincent has been “blessed with a golden sound”.Vincent’s teen years were spent in musical theatre and Cabaret. He graduated to session work as a background singer and then worked with the popular pop-jazz vocal trio Fifth Avenue. Following the advice of the late great jazz-soul songstress Phyllis Hyman (who became a close friend and mentor) he formed his first trio in 1993 and for the next several years performed constantly in various local nightclubs and jazz festivals, allowing him to build a reputation as a captivating performer with a fast-growing fan base.Legendary Philly soul queen Jean Carne asked Vincent to be a regular backup vocalist and opening act for many of her US dates, taking him to top-notch venues like Buffalo’s Trafalmadore Café, Detroit’s Chene Park Amphitheatre, Sculler’s in Boston and The Music Hall in Cleveland.In 1999, Wolfe released his debut CD “Trust the Vibe” on the independent Counterpoint Recordings label. The eclectic array of tunes received much praise from both fans and critics, receiving attention from jazz radio programmers throughout Canada and the United States. A sophomore set followed in 2001 entitled “Until Tomorrow” — a seamless blend of standards and original tunes. The project was singled out by the National Jazz Awards as one of the top releases of the yearIn 2004, Vincent Wolfe was showcased on the Universal Records CD compilation “Here Come the Boys…A Canadian Crooner Collection” released nationally through Maximum Jazz. The release prompted National Post music critic Robert Cushman to single Wolfe out as “one of the best lyric interpreters on hand”.Early in 2007, Vincent Wolfe performed to sold-out crowds for three consecutive nights at Washington D.C.’s Blues Alley opening for Jean Carne. He then made his highly successful cabaret debut at Helen’s Hideaway Room (earning him a 2008 MAC Award nomination for best cabaret debut, male) in New York City, where he was also invited to perform as a guest at the famed Birdland jazz club. That summer, Vincent played his first club dates in Quebec City and Montreal, wowing French Canadian audiences. Returning to New York in June for an encore engagement at Helen’s, Wolfe also appeared at Barnes & Noble (Lincoln Center) and as part of an all-star showcase at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Vincent headed to Chicago May to perform for the 2008 annual Rita Hayworth Alzheimers Gala. Last summer, Vincent appeared for the first time on a European stage, singing at the Jazz Garden in Budapest. Last November, he performed his brand new cabaret act "Divas Are a Boy's Best Friend", a stunning tribute to "the divas" who have been a part of his life and career. He will be taking this show to New York City in 2010. Currently, Vincent is booked to perform for the Cunard Line's famed Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria Cruise Liners, from March 30 through December 10 of this year. He will be the featured vocalist with the Terry Quinn Big Band.