"Painted on Canvas" Vocal Jazz Ensemble @Jazz Camp West 2024 [Dir. by Christine Guter]

“Painted on Canvas” is the song we performed at the closing concert of the Jazz Camp West 2024. A total of ten vocalists were selected to be part of this Advanced Vocal Jazz Ensemble which sings tight harmony in a jazz setting. Our group is comprised of 2 Bass (which I’m a part of), 2 Tenor, 3 Alto, and 3 Soprano, and we were extremely lucky to have Christine Guter as our instructor, who has received numerous internationally and nationally acclaimed awards including the prestigious “Jazz Education Achievement Award” from DownBeat magazine.
Its lyrics reach our soul deeply as Christine guide us through the meaning behind the lyrics: We are all like canvas. Sometimes in our life we don’t have full control over what paint we’d like to be added on our canvas, thus there could unfortunately be dark hues that don’t spark joy to ourselves or others. However, we all have the ability to repaint the canvas of different colors, and those darker layers will eventually be replaced with hues that convey stories of thriving and flouring. And we too have the ability and responsibility to protect others from receiving unwanted dark paint, or add some colorful layers to those who are in need.
Just like within this camp, I have received kind and encouraging support from 300+ artists and fresh air produced by the redwood, adding some of the most beautiful layers on my canvas.
Vocal Jazz is my favorite forms of group singing, and I haven’t been able to perform in such setting for an entire year since I sang with The KeyNotes choir at Apple. I enjoy how singing in ensemble helps me practice detachment from the egoistic self, and as Christine shared with us, this form of performance requires actually more of active listening than singing, and specifically we’re listening vertically and sing collaboratively for each note as a chord instead of singing horizontally as individuals. That said, she reiterated that detachment from the ego isn’t equal to the entire removal of individuality, and our performance is the most beautiful and moving when all ten of us can really pour our respective heart and soul together into a harmonious unity.

[@bettyli1000]

Everyone in the video has a talent for music!❤

[@Honolulumailman]

Thank you! It was an absolute joy to have met these amazing artists over the past week ❤️

[@yujiereignlu8028]

beautiful!! 🫶🏻

[@Honolulumailman]

I’m so happy you enjoyed watching our performance ❤️