Beginning in the mid-1980s, the band that would be known as the New York Voices formed from a group of musical misfits at upstate New York’s Ithaca College. Through the years, the three formative members, Peter Eldridge, Kim Nazarian, and Darmon Meader, have remained together despite geographical distance and expanding careers, with Laura Kinhan remaining the fourth member since the 90s. Having collaborated with institutions such as the Count Basie Orchestra, Paquito d’Rivera, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, this powerhouse is set out to educate and spread the love of jazz to the world. 

The band also launched a jazz education initiative, inaugurating its Vocal Jazz Camp for aspiring jazz singers in 2008. Each of its members has also established a career as an educator. Eldridge is a voice professor at Berklee College of Music. Nazarian is vocal jazz instructor at Ithaca College and artist-in-residence at both Bowling Green State University and Tri-C Community College in Cleveland. Kinhan is an adjunct faculty member at New York University. Meader is an artist in residence at Indiana University. 

Even with a large gap between New York Voices albums, the group is as excited as ever to make music together. Their longevity is a testament to how much chemistry the group has maintained over time.