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PRESS
REVIEWS

It’s easy to see why the likes of Doc Severinsen would sing the praises of vocalist Vanessa Thomas…She’s got a delivery reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan, stylish, bold and flexible and with a classy sense of swing,..A fresh sound of tradition.

George Harris, Jazz Weekly Review

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The selections give Thomas opportunities to showcase her rangy, powerful voice as well as her innate sense of swing. This is a strong outing from Thomas, and it is almost unfair to single out any tracks. However, “Creole Love Call” and “Come Sunday” are particularly notable. This may be her first release, but there should be many to follow.

New Jersey Jazz Society

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Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass delivered on its promise of combining the Catholic Ordinary of the regular mass with the aforementioned ecstatic enthusiasms of true gospel…Vanessa Thomas was the super soloist.

Franklin Daykin, New York Concert Review

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Her dramatic, silken amber voice improved on another movie title song with “Singin’ in the Rain” but the added surprise of Puccini’s aria “Un Bel Di” from Madame Butterfly was a revelation. Her song-ending, scalp-tingling, opera-owning high notes were enough, sans staging or supertitles, to convince anyone of her bright future.
Bob Laney, Theater Jones

Opera singer Vanessa Thomas … was introduced and quickly captured the audience with her deep, jazzy version of “Singing in the Rain.” Her rich, low voice could bend around the notes, rising to a squeal equal to the sound of Doc’s trumpet.
Wendi Waters, DC Metro Theater Arts

Thomas has a rich voice, able to dig deep into the darkest corners of heartbreak and high into the hidden comers of the soul, always floating on a perfect vibrato with enough power to make the horns work just a little harder to keep up with her.
Bob Sear, The Hawk Eye

NEWS
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It’s Official, Vanessa is a Must See! 

April 29, 2023

Vanessa joins Janet Jackson, Robert Plant, Allison Kraus, and Willie Nelson, as the top must see concerts this May, according to KCUR 89.3, Kansas City’s NPR radio station.

LISTEN HERE

Lawrence Business Magazine Interview

April 27, 2023

Vanessa talks with host Steven Hertzog about her new album, Life is Like a Song, and the upcoming album release concert on May 5, 2023, at the Lied Center in Lawrence.

READ IT HERE

Charleston Gazette-Mail Interview

December 5, 2019

Leading up to Vanessa’s Christmas concert series with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Charleston Gazette-Mail sits down to talk with Vanessa about her life, and her career in musical and vocal performance. 

WATCH IT HERE

Fox 4 KC Black History Month Profile

February 25th, 2019

As part of a series of profiles to celebrate Black History Month, Vanessa was chosen to share the challenges and triumphs that have helped define her life and music. Watch this incredibly intimate and poignant interview.

LISTEN HERE

Midwesternish Podcast

March 21, 2018

Listen to an interview with Vanessa on the new podcast, Midwesternish, a podcast “for people who love the heartland.” Vanessa talks about her early life and how from an unlikely place her love and talent for music flourished.

LISTEN HERE

Central Standard Interview

September 22, 2017, 2017

An amazingly intimate and inspiring conversation with hosts of Central Standard on KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR station. From traumatic events to joyous triumphs, Vanessa lets listeners into her world of music, family, and Midwest upbringing.

READ IT HERE

KC Studio Profile

May 19, 2017

Vanessa is profiled in KC Studio, the magazine for Kansas City’s performing, visual, cinematic, and performing arts. Vanessa shares how she got into music, her experience touring with Doc Severinsen, and what music means to her.

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