Vanessa Racci Entertainment Jazz Band from Ossining, NY

Vanessa Racci is a touring and recording jazz vocalist who is equally comfortable singing straight-ahead jazz as she is music that reflects her Italian heritage. Her heritage inspired her first two albums, the first, Italiana Fresca, in 2017, produced by David Finck and arranged by Yaron Gershovsky, Manhattan Transfer MD, and the second being, Jazzy Italian (Zoho Jazz Label, 2022), celebrating Italian Americans who made their mark on jazz from Louis Prima to Chick Corea. Produced and arranged by Grammy winner, Steven Feifke, Jazzy Italian made the top 10 Traditional jazz albums of 2022 on the RMR jazz chart and is programmed on Siriusly Sinatra and NPR in addition to 150+ radio stations. Her music has also been licensed on Network television and made the coveted Spotify playlist, “Italian Dinner Party.” On her next project and third album, Vanessa is showcasing her straight ahead abilities with a Jazz Vocal Holiday album, while completing her Masters in Jazz Voice at SUNY Purchase (Grad May, ’27). The album, Comfort & Joy, revives seasonal jazz classics from Ella, Sinatra, Nat, Bing, and the like, with a modern jazz twist. Guiding Vanessa on this project is two-time Grammy winner, Nicole Zuraitis, as co-producer and arranger-pianist, Ron Drotos, whose career encompassed both jazz, Broadway conducting and the New York pops. The album also includes the top musicians in jazz today such as Dan Pugach on Drums, Marcus McLaurine on bass, Sean Harkness on guitar, Geoff Burke on Sax and Benny Benack III on trumpet and guest vocals. Given her love of educating through song, Vanessa also produces and stars in several jazz history shows including Hot Speakeasy Nights (how prohibition NYC fueled the growth of jazz in America), An Ode to Gershwin and a Tribute to Harry Warren. Vanessa performs at over 50 venues and festivals across the country annually from New York to New Orleans to San Francisco with a combined social media following of 20K+. Notable appearances include ABC7NY, Birdland NYC, Blues Alley, DC, Gracie Mansion, The Paramount, Scranton Jazz Festival, White Plains Jazz Festival and the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center. When she isn't performing, she teaches voice to budding young singers at her home studio and at Music in Chappaqua. Vanessa also had robust training in Jazz voice at SUNY Purchase with Alexis Cole and privately with Jackie Presti. She is currently working with Professor, Kate Baker as part of her Masters program.