REQUIREMENTS:

A basic audition with the director to determine voice and skill level is required. Previous ensemble or choral experience and basic music-reading skills are highly advisable but not a requirement.  An appreciation and feel for jazz are also very desirable. 

AUDITIONS:

The Offbeats audition for each upcoming season is in August for the season starting in September. However! We may be able to use new voices mid-season if you’d like to reach out to our Director at any other time of the year. We’d like to get to know you asap, so, if you want to swing….then the rest.
If you want to swing and can hit that jive jack, this is your chance to be part of a group of super cool humans who laugh and sing, play and perform beautifully together. Shows in fancy places, solo opportunities, a fiesty director and a killing band. You got game? Perfect voice not required, practice is.

Rehearsals begin September 14th and run weekly on Wednesdays, 7:15-9:15 at our rehearsal venue in Phinney Ridge.

To audition, please contact the director via email to OffbeatsDirector@seattlegleeclubs.org to set up a brief phone interview and to schedule an audition time.

REHEARSALS:

The Offbeats season runs September 14 through May 18. Rehearsals are Wednesdays, 7:15 to 9:15 p.m at our rehearsal venue in Phinney Ridge.

PERFORMANCES: 

The Offbeats perform at a variety of area jazz clubs, neighborhood concert hall, live theaters, retirement homes, community events and local jazz festivals. Check the Events page for current performances!

A VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE

The Offbeats Vocal Jazz Ensemble is an 17-member group of men and women who perform high-caliber vocal jazz arrangements in a variety of styles written for up to eight parts. With internationally acclaimed Seattle jazz vocalist Kelley Johnson as musical director, the group strives towards excellence in musicality and performance. Accompanied by Seattle’s top jazz musicians, the Offbeats perform with a professional rhythm section led by accomplished jazz pianist, John Hansen.

While the primary focus is ensemble singing, small group and solo opportunities are an integral part of the Offbeats experience. 

Live Performances

MEMBER DONATIONS:

Based on a 9 month season, suggested donations are $100 per month. Scholarships are available and negotiated on a case-by-case basis. The monthly donations do not apply to vocal jazz workshops or individual/ small-group coaching sessions.

Interested? Email us. Contact Offbeats.   

DIRECTOR AND ACCOMPANISTS:

Kelly Johnson, is an international award-winning Seattle-based jazz vocalist who is also known for her talents as an arranger, poet and lyricist. She applies her a wonderful sense of style and thorough knowledge of jazz to shape the ensemble's sound and arrangements. She has extensive experience as a vocal jazz teacher and performance coach and has served as conductor and assistant conductor for several Seattle-area jazz choirs.

Offbeats Vocal Jazz Ensemble pianist and jazz coach, John Hansen. With his natural lyricism and fluent, flexible approach, John is called on to perform and record in a variety of styles and is a featured artist in many of the region's finest ensembles. Besides leading his own trio, John has performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Bud Shank, Bobby Shew, Pete Christlieb, Ernestine Anderson, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Bob Moses, Eric Alexander, Jay Thomas, Rick Margitza, Monica Mancini, Kelley Johnson, Jon Fedchock and more.