Abby Burke

ABBY BURKE, Vocalist/Educator-

Having attended such heralded music institutions such as the New England and the Boston Conservatories, as well as the Hartt School at the University of Hartford CT and finally receiving a BA and Masters degree in Education- focusing on the psychology of music from Cambridge College, Cambridge MA, Abby has delved into countless musical genres. Via her graduate research she served as a faculty member at the Nashville TN Jazz Workshop, teaching Beginning, Intermediate and Advance Performance Techniques and a sought after clinician for master classes at several middle TN high schools and colleges. Abby is one of two vocalists who were awarded the “the 2005 Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship in Vocal Arts.”

In May of 2004, to rave reviews, she was seen as the “Nell” character in the TN Repertory Theater production of Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” During the 2004 Christmas season at the Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach, SC, she was a featured artist in their “One for the Holiday’s” production. Considered a ground breaking experience, Abby was the first African-American to perform in this show in its 15 year history.

Abby’s orchestral appearances as soloist were with the Nashville Symphony on their “2006 NSO in the Park Concert Series.” She also appeared as a guest artist, with this same orchestra, on their September 2006 “Tribute to Ray Charles Concert” at the new Schemerhorn Symphony Hall. She repeated this performance with the Tucson Arizona Symphony in March of 2008. Abby acted as featured vocalist (“Big Stuff”) on the November 2006 Naxos Label release of the Nashville Symphony’s recording of Leonard Bernstein’s Ballet “Fancy Free.” During the 2007 Holiday Season, Abby was guest Artist on the Paducah Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s 2007 Holiday Pops. The Nashville Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Paul Gambill, invited Abby back for the 4th year in a row, on their November “2007 Celebration of Thanksgiving Concert.” Abby has been invited to be guest artist with the Charlotte NC Symphony on an all Gershwin Celebration with Maestro Albert George Schram. This concert is slated for November 2008.

As a recording artist, along with the release of her own album “Finally!” in 2005, Abby was part of the 2006 Grammy Award winning children’s album “Songs from the Neighborhood: the music of Mister Rogers” which was produced by 2 time Grammy winning Nashville producer Dennis Scott. She is also a featured vocalist on the Genius +Love CD "Jazz and Swing for Kids" which was produced by Danny Brooks Inc.

In addition to acting as soloist with some of America’s great orchestras, including the Boston (with Maestro Arthur Fiedler and Madame Sarah Caldwell) and Nashville Symphony Orchestras, Abby has performed with such jazz and pop greats as celebrated jazz pianist/vocalist Beegie Adair, trumpeter Donald Byrd and his Blackbirds and the dynamic Patti LaBelle. As returning soloist at her alma mater Cambridge College, Abby performed for Vice President Al Gore. As a 2005 TN Arts Commission Grant winner, Abby has performed for Governor Phil Bredeson and R & B Great Isaac Hayes at the 2005 Awards in the Arts celebration. She has worked with such gospel greats as James Cleveland, Shirley Ceasar and many others. Abby briefly toured as a back ground vocalist with 70’s great Engelbert Humperdinck.

As a contemporary artist, Abby enjoys rocking the house as lead vocalist with her “Manly Band.” Her debut CD “FINALLY!-The Album, Abby Burke featuring the Manly Band” is available at Davis-Kidd Nashville, a variety of digital sites including iTunes and at Cdbaby.com. 2008 finds ASCAP member Abby Burke spreading her writing wings with such songs as the bluesy “Blue Rain” and “Sweet Honey from the Rock.” Abby and her husband, saxophonist Glenn Burke, are the founders and artistic directors of: Joyful Noise Studios for the Performing Arts, slated to open in 2008. She is a recently ordained minister and is a proud member of The Oasis Worship Centre in Nashville with Pastors Danny and Jillian Chambers. Abby lives her music simply: "With God, I keep the music aLIVE!"