Biography

Vanessa Vacanti is a fresh new face on the jazz scene. A recent grad of SUNY Fredonia, (BFA/Musical Theatre) her vocal talents are quickly becoming recognized by musician’s and audiences alike. She is a mainstay on the local scene with performances at Syracuse Jazz Fest, Fulton Jazz Fest, Lake Ontario Wine and Jazz Fest, the Jazz By The Lake series in Oswego as well as frequent night club performances throughout Central New York. She frequently works with The Jazz Mafia Trio, which is her first-call backing band. The synergy she creates with her band is electric and is often found only after years of on stage performance. She has it down, and is able to lead both the band and the audience on a musical journey

Her stage presence is captivating, and she can hold an audience throughout her performances, with fresh new arrangements of jazz standards. She also adds a twist to many pop tunes, finding inspiration from her background in musical theatre.

Vanessa currently studies with world-renowned jazz vocalist and educator Nancy Kelly, and has also trained under the New York Voice’s founding member Kim Nazarian. While the influences of her training is evident, she truly has developed her own unique jazz voice.