Album Notes

On February 20th, 2011, Esther was awarded a WAMMIE for Jazz Vocals 2010 by the Washington Area Music Association! For a list of nominees and winners, visit http://wamadc.com/wama/wammies/wnoms25.htm.

Esther received a Wammie nomination for Jazz Vocals, 2010. She has been awarded 9 Wammies for Big Band/Swing and Jazz Vocals since 2003.

Esther is currently working with the talented guitarist Keith Grimes, who recorded on Eva Cassidy's albums! Currently a 3rd CD with Keith Grimes is in progress, but donations are needed for its completion. Write to estherhaynes1@gmail.com if you would like to help in this effort.

February 28th, 2010, Esther received her 9th Wammie (Washington Area Music Award) for Jazz Vocals (2009).
Esther had the opportunity to perform with Mark Wenner's Akousti-Kats in January of 2010. (Mark Wenner founded the Nighthawks, a DC-based touring blues band)

Older News:
o February 2009, Esther received 2 Wammies for Big Band/Swing Vocals and Jazz Vocals 2008.
o December, 2007, Esther received two Wammie nominations for Jazz Vocalist and Big Band Vocalist.
o October 2007, Esther was included in the 2007 "Who's Who in Jazz" Publication. Visit http://www.worldwhoswhoinjazzcabaretmusicandentertainment.com/
o February 18, 2007, Esther received her 6th Wammie(Washington Area Music Award), for Big Band/Swing Vocals (2006).
o February 2006, Esther received two Wammies for Big Band Vocals and Jazz Vocals(2005), bringing her to a total of 5 WAMMIES to date.

Esther Haynes has been working as a vocalist and guitarist around Washington, DC since around 1998. Since that time, she has worked with Hokum Jazz, the Tom Cunningham Orchestra (Yazzoo-Jazz Vocal Trio and Quintessence Vocal Quintet), Martini Red and a number duos and trios. She has worked with jazz guitarists Justin Lees, Phil Mathieu, and Rusty Bogart among others. Since 1998 she has received 5 WAMMIE (Washington Area Music Award) nominations for Jazz Vocals/traditional jazz, 3 for Big Band Vocals, 1 for Debut Recording (2001), and 1 for Traditional Jazz Duo/Group (Hokum Jazz). She won a WAMMIE for Big Band Vocalist (2003) and in February of 2005, Esther received two WAMMIES, 1 for Big Band Vocalist and 1 for Jazz Vocalist (2004).

In addition to her two CD projects (2001, 2004), she has been included on 3 Hungry for Music recordings, one bluegrass recording by fiddler Tad Marks, and a recording of southern American traditional music by Eddie McGee in 1998. These recordings received attention by local and online press.

Highlights of her performing career include the Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival and Baltimore Blues Festivals with Hokum Jazz, and opening for Rounder Recording Artist Madeleine Peyroux at the Iota in Arlington, VA.

Her style is influenced by her Virginia roots, as well as her love of vintage jazz and swing vocalists of the 1920's and 1930's. Her first recording pays tribute to these vocalists; the second features jazz vocals accompanied by jazz guitar and acoustic bass.

To read more about Esther's background, visit http://www.hokummusic.com or http://www.estherhaynesmusic.com (under construction)