Iva
Iva Ambush












Iva Jean Ambush decided to pursue a professional singing career when she returned to her birthplace, Frederick, Maryland in 1993. After the third lay off, the decision was made to take control of her life and with the LORD as the catalyst -- she set her mind on bringing forth her message with music and song.

Iva was raised in York, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of several choirs and musical groups. She performed in several plays and short act follies, but after the birth of her son and daughter she focused on motherhood. When she returned to college she began performing in theater productions including "Purlie."

The Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area proved to be a haven of good music and plenty of friends and family to nurture her skills, including, the late Lester Bowie (Art Ensemble of Chicago), Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra), Joseph Bowie (Defunkt), Guitarist Jonathan Townes, and more. Although Iva grew up around music she completed an "Emerging Artists Workshop" with the late Ronnie Wells at the Elliston Studio for Jazz Studies in 1999 and private lessons with bebop legend, Sheila Jordan in 2000. Iva continued studying with Sheila at a two week vocal Workshop on Improvisation, Jazz In July in 2000 - 2003. The workshop consisted of Resident Trios offering a small group of vocalists a supportive environment. There, Ms. Ambush explored concepts of jazz phrasing and rhythms, and learned the rudiments of preparing lead sheets. The intense master classes with Sheila Jordan, Dr. Horace Boyer, and Jay Clayton combined with rehearsal allowed Iva to grow immensely. Some of the other adjudicators included Dr. Billy Taylor, Dr. Bro. Yusef Lateef, Prof. Charles Ellison and Dr. Frederick Tillis.  

Currently, Iva Jean Ambush is a member of the Praise and Worship Team at Restoration International Worship Center (Columbia, MD) and the gospel group, Rejoice, under the direction of Terry Marshall. She is known for scatting like Ella Fitzgerald and the stage comes alive with her gut wrenching interpretation of Billie Holiday. Also, Iva is preparing for the singing role in the play, Phyllis Hyman: Sophisticated to open in Shreveport, Louisiana in mid 2011.  

 

Iva Ambush"Iva has a unique sense of phrasing."
Bro. Yusef Lateef Legendary reed player, composer, teacher

"Billie Holiday and Mabel Mercer are smiling down from heaven at you..."
Charles Ellison, Trumpeter International teacher and artist

"I'm passing you the baton to carry on my work...."
Ernie Andrews, jazz vocalist

"YEH!" he said and bowed as acknowledged and accompanied me through two songs.
Lester Bowie

 

 
RECORDINGS
Iva Ambush - Torch Songs
1. Please Send Me Someone to Love
2. RealAudio Skylark
3. RealAudio Don't Explain
4. RealAudio My Favorite Things
5. Lover Man

         
Personnel: Iva Ambush - Vocals, Wade Beach - Piano, Wes Biles, Scott Ambush - Bass, and Art Cobb - Drums.
CD review of "TORCH SONGS" by Dave Nathan from www.AllAboutJazz.com
 
SCHEDULE

upcoming performances and events

 
 
CONTACT
For bookings, call
Tel: (301) 222-3956 or (718) 916-1169
Email: [email protected]

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