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Erin Dickins Biography

As an award winning jazz vocalist and founding member of The Manhattan Transfer, Erin Dickins has enjoyed a remarkable career on stage and in the recording studio. After spending five years singing ensemble music with The Manhattan Transfer, she continued to expand her musical horizons, emerging as one of the top studio singers in New York. Dickins performed, toured and recorded with many notable artists including Leonard Cohen, Bette Midler, James Taylor, The Talking Heads, James Brown, Barry Manilow, Jaco Pastorius and Ashford & Simpson, to name but a few. Dickins continues to perform and record, enchanting audiences throughout the world. In 2013, Erin will release a debut solo album on Dot Time Records entitled, Java Jive. Dickins returns to her roots with a remake of the original Ink Spots’ hit, which she first recorded on the Manhattan Transfer album Jukin’. “ I’ve always wanted to revisit this song,” says Dickins,  “It's like an old friend to me.”  As title track, Java Jive will anchor the new release and will feature a guest vocal by Manhattan Transfer co-founder and longtime friend, Tim Hauser.

Dickins’ album was thoughtfully crafted over a two-year period with renowned musicians. Java Jive is produced by award-winning composer Jesse Frederick, and features pianist/arranger Rob Mounsey, trumpeter Barry Danielian and bassist David Finck. Ms. Dickins was awarded the prestigious Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award in 2012. “Artists of this high caliber are the core of Maryland's modern creative economy,” said Hannah Byron, of MD Department of Tourism, Film & the Arts; “their work is essential to the arts...” She was the recipient of the “Best Jazz Vocalist”  honor, awarded in 2012 by CoffeeTalk Jazz Radio in Los Angeles. Ms. Dickins is also available for Master Classes and workshops. Ms. Dickins serves on the board of directors of American Jazz Venues, a New York based 501 (c)3 organization dedicated to promoting jazz to younger audiences. She continues to offer workshops to students at SummerFame, a program she founded in 2000 to provide performing arts programs for children of all ages

Ms. Dickins is currently working on a new kickstarter project at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/erindickins/java-jive-jazz-for-foodies