Naima Shamborguer - Biography
With the sultry, smooth style reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan, jazz aficionados call her the last of a dying breed whose sensuous, clear vocals are a voice for the 21st Century.
Naima Shamborguer was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Born to a musical family, professional musicians surrounded her. From her early days of musical training, Naima developed highly artistic and finely polished vocal abilities through extensive training in classical and jazz music, but jazz music is where Naima has made a successful career. On two occasions Naima received The Spirit of Detroit award from the City Council of Detroit In recognition of exceptional achievement, outstanding leadership and dedication to improving the quality of life educationally and “The Women in Jazz.” The late Hugh Lawson deemed her “the closest that he has ever heard to Sarah Vaughan, all she needs is to be heard.”
A “Motown “ treasure, Naima has performed nationwide with the finest jazz greats known to the world, including Freddie Hubbard, Marcus Belgrave, James Carter, Geri Allen, Kenny Burrell, Barry Harris, Donald Byrd, Steve Turre, Larry Willis, Rodney Whitaker, Donald Walden, Marion Hayden and Wendell Harrison, Ken Cox and Charlie Gabriel, Sean Dobbins, and Tad Weed.
Most recent performances include:
Steve Turre, 2015 Detroit Jazz Festival “Tribute to Rahssan Roland Kirk” with James Carter
Tribute to Barry Harris, St. Matthew Episcopal Church Detroit Michigan, Detroit Michigan
The Mary Lou Williams Mass with Geri Allen, George Shirley and the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Detroit Michigan
From Cass Corridor to The World: Tribute to Detroit’s Musical Golden age
MLK Day, Directed by Geri Allen, Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan
Kerry Town Jazz Series with Bob Hurst Sean Dobbins, Sven Anderson, Vincent Bowen
“Swinging With Ella” with the Adrian Michigan Jazz Orchestra and John Thomas Dodson Director
Jazzy Christmas with the Michigan State University Professors of Jazz
Preservation Hall Jazz Orchestra, New Orleans
Detroit Institute of Arts: Tribute to Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon and Sarah Vaughan
Eubie Blake Jazz Museum Baltimore Maryland, with Larry Willis, Steve Davis
Latest Recordings:
2017 new release” What’s Next” with Benny Rubin Jr.
"Round Midnight" with Larry Willis
“Pair-A-Dice” - a duo recording with Marion Hayden, 2014
Latest production 2017 & 2018 “Me & Sarah” The Life of Sarah Vaughan with Actor Narrator John W. Hardy
Credits:
“one of Detroit’s most gifted singers, Naima Shamborguer, ups the ante on this often magical collection of ballads with her dark richly voice and pinpoint pitch. Naima brings a nuance of a natural storyteller and relaxed time-feel of a true musician."
–Mark Stryker, Music Critic Detroit Free Press.
“Naima is not just a singer, she is an artist. She carries forth with the tradition of the great ladies of singing in jazz”
–Steve Turre
“It is a no-brainer to record and arrange music for Naima Shamborguer that suited her pure, almost operatic voice. “
–Larry Willis, Pianist, Composer, Arranger
“One of the women rated best in the hierarchy of jazz…”
–Dayton Daily News, The Journal Herald
“An extraordinary talent Naima gives us tunes that are downright swinging. Before you know it, she has us listening, liking and waiting to hear the ballads, because she sings the ballads so well.”
–Ed Love-WDET-FM-Detroit
“Just because we Detroiters in the know are proud of our own is no reason to keep a talent like Naima Shamborguer to ourselves. Naima is constantly reaching for something new when she sings. She deserves to reach listeners far and wide. Those listeners deserve her too.”
–W. Kim Heron, Web & Foundations Writer, the Kresge Foundation
“The CD will bring you joy forever”
–Linda Yohm-WEMU - Ypsilanti MI
A jazz virtuoso, Naima continues to conduct vocal workshops for aspiring musicians and aficionados
Click here to purchase Naima's CDs at http://www.cdbaby.com/NaimaShamborguer