Temple University Swinging Voices and Jazz Band Number 4
Ruth Naomi Floyd and Jon Shaw, directors
Jazz Band Number 4 has performed in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Temple Performing Arts Center, Tomlinson Theater and Klein Recital Hall. It plays for the annual Temple University Swing Dance and is available for external events. The band has featured guest artists such as Joe Magnarelli, Ralph Lalama, Wycliffe Gordon and Larry McKenna.
Temple University Swinging Voices is a choir consisting of 4-12 singers divided into soprano, alto, tenor, and bass parts. It performs standard jazz choir repertoire with full rhythm section accompaniment (piano, bass, drums). Each meeting is devoted to rehearsing parts, focusing on blend, dynamics, intonation, articulation, expression, interpretation, and stage presence. Iconic groups that would be emulated include The Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, Syncopation, and Vox One. Vocal arrangements recorded and published by these groups (and others) are performed, in addition to the works of contemporary arrangers.