Jiana Hunter Quintet: Tribute to Ella
Jiana Hunter is an engaging vocalist, songwriter and Commercial Music artist who features the following subgenres: Soul, Jazz, Gospel/Praise and Worship, Classical and Music Theatre. Jiana is also a formerly trained Music Educator of Choral music and Vocal Jazz. She holds degrees in Jazz Studies performance (MM – Western Michigan University) and Music Education (BME – Kentucky State University).
As a music educator and presenter of various genres of music, Jiana is currently the Vocal Jazz Director for Music Hall’s Jazz Education program and Music educator with Detroit Public Schools Community School District. Also a college professor to her credits, she has taught as a full time or adjunct professor in the states of Michigan and Tennessee. She also hosts music workshops for church ministries on vocal technique, music style and worship. Jiana has performed with notable musical imprints such as Darmon Meader, Billy Hart, Bobby McFerrin, Pastor Marvin L. Winans (Perfecting Church), Michael F. Mack, Dorinda Clark Cole, Jonathan Dunn, Tamela Mann, Donnie McClurkin, Donald Lawrence, Phil Perry, Maysa, Anthony Hamilton, Eric Roberson and KEM.
To her featured Jazz credits, Jiana has performed and produced an Ella Fitzgerald Tribute concert as a part of a legendary jazz series in Memphis, Tn and Detroit, Mi. Jiana also performed in the Jazz Musical, The Real Ambassadors, a story based on Louis Armstrong as the U.S. Ambassador who toured with his band and a female vocalist, Carmen McRae.
Active in the music community as a diverse vocalist, Jiana coined a Monthly Series of entertainment called, “Thankful Thursdays” where she features good vibes and encouragement through Soul, Jazz and Inspirational selections at Crosstown Arts, in Memphis, Tn. Recently reestablished in Detroit, Jiana is active in the jazz scene of Detroit, Mi.
Ms. Hunter is an active songwriter and arranger. Her arrangements have been performed and/or recorded with students from Detroit Public Schools, Memphis Jazz Workshop, Gold Company (WMU), The School for Creative and Performing Arts, (Cinti, Ohio) Marvin L. Winans Academy of Performing Arts (Detroit, Mi) and Stax Music Academy.
Available on all digital music platforms, Jiana’s her first Gospel Jazz single “True Love” gives a glimpse of her spiritual, traditional and smooth jazz influences. Her forthcoming debut album entitled “For You” will take you on a delightful, musical and spiritual inspired journey!