You’re EVERYTHING, the whole package. Your lyrics, music, arrangements… fantastic! My new discovery. Richie Cole, legendary jazz saxophonist

You are a knockout songwriter and the group is fabulous. Ginny: you are a whiz, a star, a revelation! Bob Dorough, legendary jazz singer/songwriter

 After all, it was the multi-talented Ginny Carr who, a half dozen or so years ago wrote a lyric couplet that has stuck in my brain ever since – “Mind your business, if I want you I’ll call / You might tip me over but you’ll never make me fall.” That was on an album for which she wrote all the songs, music and lyrics, issued under her own name, and here she is again, this time in her role as prime mover of the UVJQ – writing all the songs, with the exception of one ( “Life” ), and managing all the arrangements. Ginny’s lyrics carry the message, from the opening salute to Eddie Jefferson ( “He never got the acclaim / (yet) he’s the one that put vocalese in the game” ) to the closing promise of even better things to come ( “Imagine the fun we’ll invent / it might even be fun to repent” ). Her lyrics are full of gentle ironies and surprising twists. She’s a singer/songwriter several cuts above the general run of many who advertise themselves as such. A lovely album, full of affirmation and achingly authentic acumen. Amen.Alan Bargebuhr, Cadence Magazine

It’s really gotten to the point where it’s almost impossible to find a vocal CD that doesn’t feature standards anymore. Three cheers, therefore, to vocalist/pianist Ginny Carr, who has written each of the songs on her remarkably clever After All These Years. Blessed with a sugary voice that has a slight wink in the eye, Carr and her air-tight band swing as a unit, allowing enough space for dynamic group interplay and soloing. But the selling point of this CD is the impressive writing, particularly the lyrics. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song that rhymed a lyric with “foment” before, but there it is in “Love Me Till it Hurts.” Ditto for the ingenious working of “upheaval” with “primeval.” This is the work of someone who knows her way around a composition. Each song has it’s moments, and beg to become part of a standard repertoire.  George Harris, All About Jazz

[Vocal Madness] is a endlessly hip album from the UPTOWN VOCAL JAZZ QUARTET with RICHIE COLE. They swing, have great arrangements by UVJQ member Ginny Carr, and project a sense of fun in everything that they sing.  Simply stated, this album is a complete gas.Joe Lang, 'Jersey Jazz' (March 2015 issue)

UPTOWN VOCAL JAZZ QUARTET with RICHIE COLE/Vocal Madness: Some things happen organically in the strangest ways. The vet sax man that was one of Manhattan Transfer’s secret weapons stumbled upon the DC vocal quartet and flipped. Almost like a hidden time piece that escaped from the vaults after hiding in a corner for years, this killer jazz vocal set hits all the right notes and will be tickling your fancy before you know what’s happened. Killer stuff so thoroughly in the pocket, hearing almost isn’t believing. It’s that hot.Chris Spector, Editor and Publisher, Midwest Record

There are a plethora of vocal groups working the jazz scene that simply bang out some old school standards with little originality and minimal soul. Vocal Madness is a breath of fresh air with tight harmonies drawn from a brilliant color palette of sound and harmonic texture. The vast majority of the release are original compositions with arrangements that are seemingly hand crafted for each member. The vibrant pop of the swing found in “Take Me Away” is the perfect compliment to the exquisite ballad “DC Farewell.” This is not a release of swing for the sake of swing but a harmonic exploration of vocal possibilities with tunes that are remarkably personal and allow the listener to come along for the ride. The voices will give you goose bumps, the arrangements will grab your ear while the stories will touch your heart. A tremendous effort once again from The Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet with Vocal Madness! Brent Black, CriticalJazz (2015)

If DownBeat still had a Vocal Group category in their Polls, I have no doubt that Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet would win. I really enjoyed the last album they made, and their new one is even more impressive as they partner up with Richie Cole. The meeting up of two fine talents, the outstanding UVJQ and the multitalented Cole, who is still playing so well.Don Albert, South African Correspondent for DownBeat (USA) and Jazz Journal International (UK)

I’ve been wondering where the bebop voices had gone and Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet is the current answer to this missing musical link. Richie Cole adds zest and authenticity to this project, bringing along his historic participation in the development of early bebop singing and passing on that legacy to this project. Ginny Carr stands out as an arranger/composer on several of these original songs and Richie Cole shines in the prolific composing department as well. These four vocalists sound like a small choir: rich, lush and harmonically innovative. Dee Dee McNeill, LA Jazz

The Uptown Jazz Vocal Quartet is an exceptional vocal group. Add to this, alto saxophonist Richie Cole, a great admirer of the UJVQ, and the stage is set for a hugely entertaining hour of music making. The flawless harmonizing of the singers, along with some vocal solo moments, blend well with the alto saxophonist’s outstanding solos. This fine set is a swinging assurance that this kind of jazz singing is in good hands.Bruce Crowther, Jazz Mostly

Ginny Carr is a chanteuse determined to re-write our beloved American Songbook. This is the real deal!! Her original renditions are punctuated & tempered by a great depth of expressive vocalise which one can assume is balanced by both journeyman maturity & hard work. The frosting is the realization that all that you hear is from her composer’s heart & soul. Could Ginny be our new real time national treasure? Super stuff….George W. Carroll, The Musician's Ombudsman

Love everything about that record (Vocal Madness).Jack Frieden, Vocal Sound of Jazz

Exceptional tight-harmony group … symmetry and individual vocals that blend so well. Yes, they really are that good and worthy of serious attention. We need what they offer… They’ve got it. They are carrying the torch.John Hoglund, Cabaret Scenes Magazine

Clever and swinging and completely uncontrived. George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

Vocal Madness by Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet is intelligent, incredibly tight, and, frankly, perfect jazz singing. The original material is worthy of the same praise. Richie Cole, alto legend and unofficial 5th member of Manhattan Transfer, is everywhere on this recording. Easy enough to draw the conclusion, but if you ask Richie he will tell you that Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet “Has it.” Says it all. The song “He Was The Cat” caught Richie’s ear. An original written about Eddie Jefferson. Richie was right. Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet has massive amounts of “It.”Steve Martin, host of 'The Real Jazz Conversation,' WOBO, Cincinnati

IT’S EASY TO cheer a jazz artist for recording original material instead of jumping on the crowded “Great American Songbook” bandwagon. Easy, that is, until midway through the recording you find yourself wishing for something half as smart as Cole Porter or half as lyrical as Rodgers and Hart. Fortunately, Ginny Carr’s new CD, “After All These Years,” doesn’t leave you wishing for anything other than more of the same. A Washington-based singer-songwriter and pianist well-known for her work with the Uptown Jazz Vocal Quartet, Carr clearly has invested a lot of time and all of her talents in this project, and it’s paid off nicely. Her lyrics are always several cuts above the average, which is evident from the outset when she unveils the sultry charmer “Love Me Till It Hurts” and muses: “This will never go/How the Brothers Grimm foretold.” Or on “Valentine’s Day,” when she comments on the devaluation of classic pop: “What would Hart and Rodgers say/’Bout the murder of mystique/Hearing every diva warble on/About her figure less than Greek/Their lovely song’s become the anthem of sap/The way it’s treated nowadays/It’s as inspiring as a nap.” Then there’s “The Piano,” which boasts another shrewdly phrased lyric: “Just what we need/another song about a fool who didn’t know/How not to be a fool/Maudlin indeed.” But it’s not just impressive songwriting that makes this 15-track collection a no-nap zone. Carr has framed her appealing and flexible voice with delightful and often swinging piano-based arrangements. Mike Joyce, The Washington Post

Vocal jazz fans will go crazy for “Vocal Madness.” The quartet’s harmonies are impeccable, and boy do they swing! Richie Cole is magnificent on alto sax.Randy Morse, The Best of Brazil (Beyond Brazil)

Vocal Madness…a highly attractive and energetic package! Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet… what more could ya want from life? Richie Cole has long been famed for his bebop style and upbeat creativity, and he sparkles throughout the entire CD, whether vamping, accompanying, soloing, or just kicking up his heels for the hell of it. In fact, he’s the quartet’s fifth voice…the base five were made for each other… the pairing is quintessential. Mark S. Tucker, FAME

The music is full of warmth, swinging rhythm and a full exploration of the possibility of the harmonic vocal quartet, with its own unique sound and taste. Rich, ingeniously arranged harmonic textures that sway to the rhythm of expressive melodies executed in perfect harmony and warm tone.Robert Ratajczak, LongPlay Reviews (POLAND)

Forget the old standards. These tight harmonies and hand-crafted lyrics will have you believing they’ve been around for forever.Doug Boynton, 62nd Street

Old school moving to new cool. As versatile and entertaining as any vocal group you may hear. The Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet takes their original influences of some iconic masters and transforms them into their own unique flavor and unforgettable sound. Brent Black, CriticalJazz (2012)

Decades in the future, if there is any justice, some critic is going to be writing that a new vocal group reminds him of UVJQ. They indeed are making the form their own…They are remarkable vocalists who blend stylish harmonies with dynamic solos in a format that parallels that of the typical instrumental jazz quartet.Jack Goodstein, Blogcritics.org

Rich, ingeniously arranged harmonies…swinging and evocative brand of vocalese.Mike Joyce, The Washington Post

UVJQ is continuing the tradition of vocalese hipness, much to the satisfaction of those of us who love Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. [They] add another whole dimension to the tradition with new original compositions and engaging original lyrics… All-in-all, the UVJQ mixes the old and new in a charming, original way.Amy Duncan, Jazz History Online

Crisp melodies, excellent tone and warm harmonies typify the set. A rich and enjoyable experience. D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz Magazine

The close harmony work of the quartet is exceptional, as is the rhythm backing. You’ll be hooked on both the band’s singing and Ginny Carr’s wonderful writing.Ian Tiele, International Association of Jazz Record Collectors' Journal

Clever vocalese lyrics coupled with a complex line and a killing band…The quartet is in full harmonic force. C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

Your stuff is fantastic. I’m in love with your music.Rich Germaine, President, Jazz Radio Network

I really appreciate the sound that this group is perpetuating. A rare breed.Michael Gourrier, host of 'Bebop and Beyond,' WRIR, Richmond

Fans of vocalese, bebop and Mr. Alto Madness, Richie Cole, will not want to miss Vocal Madness, where the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet sings scintillating arrangements of Richie’s music as well as original songs by the quartet’s Ginny Carr, with the saxophonic excitement of Richie Cole adding even more oomph to the proceedings. Terrific CD—the arrangements, the singing, and Richie as well.Bob McWilliams, Kansas Public Radio

Great music. I’m enjoying the record a lot.Jeff Hanley, host, Jazz After Hours, PRI

The Harmony, Rhythm and Improvisation of ‘Vocal Madness’ is a listener’s delight for something fresh in Vocalese.Jay Edwards, Jazztones, WCLK, Atlanta