Wendy Moten is a genre-defying singer-songwriter whose soaring vocals earned her the nickname “The Voice,” and there couldn’t be a more appropriate description of the woman who won America’s hearts when she became runner-up on the NBC show The Voice Season 21.
As a solo artist, she is known for the Top 5 hit “Come In Out of the Rain” and for her solo performances in stadiums across America with Michael Bolton as his opening act. She’s had an extensive recording career, releasing three solo projects on EMI Records and a jazz project, Wendy Moten Sings Richard Whiting, produced by Paul Brown.
Moten spent two decades as one of the most in-demand background vocalists. She toured the world with Julio Iglesias as his duet partner, singing in four languages and joining him onstage before world leaders. She toured many years on Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Soul2Soul tours, spent several years with Martina McBride, and joined Vince Gill in 2016. She performs at the Grand Ole Opry often and is a member of the Grammy winning band The Time Jumpers.
The Voice has established Moten as an amazing lead singer and gained her millions of new fans. Now that her impeccable reputation has spread nationally, she’s working with producers including Paul Worley (Martina McBride, Lady A) and eager to showcase all that she can do.
THE PAT COIL TRIO WITH BOB SHEPPARD
Pat Coil is a musician’s musician and another boundary-crossing artists. An alumnus of the fabled North Texas jazz program, his jazz credentials include stints with Carmen McRae and Woody Herman. Equally at home in pop and commercial settings, Pat has served as musical director for Michael McDonald and written for film and television shows such as Star Trek. A frequent teacher and performer at the Nashville Jazz Workshop, Pat is a poster child for the artistry and versatility of Nashville’s jazz artists. In a rare treat for the Nashville audience, Pat’s trio for Jazzmania will be joined by noted L.A.-based saxophonist Bob Sheppard.
Some musicians’ careers are easily pigeonholed. Not so Bob Sheppard’s. For more than four decades, the multi-instrumentalist has played on countless sessions with an astounding crop of A-list jazz giants—among them Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, Michael and Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Lyle Mays, John Beasley and Steps Ahead—and artists within several other genres. He’s also recorded and toured as a leader, contributed to hundreds of movie and TV soundtracks, served as an educator and more.
NASHVILLE YOUTH JAZZ ENSEMBLE SMALL GROUP
Showcasing NJW’s commitment to supporting the development of young musicians, Jazzmania will also feature a small group representing the Nashville Youth Jazz Ensemble. A nonprofit organization directed by Dr. Rich Ripani, the NYJE is composed of over 50 young musicians from the Middle Tennessee area, studying and performing in two big bands and several small groups. The NJW is proud to partner with NYJE, furnishing space for weekly rehearsals and an annual concert.
