About Afro Blue

Howard University’s premier vocal jazz ensemble, Afro Blue, was formed by Professor Connaitre Miller in the spring of 2002. Singing music in styles similar to Lambert, Hendricks and Ross; Manhattan Transfer; The New York Voices and Take 6 while adding their own unique sound,  Afro Blue has often been described as a “vocal big band.”  Since its inception, this dynamic jazz choir has quickly gained national attention.

In the span of eight years, Afro Blue has received nine Down Beat Magazine Student Music Awards including Best Graduate College Vocal Jazz Ensemble for 2009, 2010 and 2011 and has performed at many prestigious venues in and around Washington, DC.

This past June, the “Afro Blue Reunion Jazz Choir,” composed of over 30 former and current Afro Blue members was honored to perform with the legendary Bobby McFerrin as part of the 2011 DC Jazz Festival in what has been arguably referred to as the best concert in DC Jazz Festival history.

On November 11, 2011 Afro Blue was honored to join an all-star line-up at the Kennedy Center for the program “Jazz on the Elevens: A Tribute to Billy Taylor.”  The following week they participated in a master class given by The Manhattan Transfer and offered performances on both The Millennium Stage and in The Concert Hall, opening for The Manhattan Transfer and NEA Jazz Master recipient, Jon Hendricks as part of the Kennedy Center’s “Swing, Swing, Swing” festival.

From Sept. 19, 2011 to Dec. 5th, 2011 Afro Blue was selected as one of 16 a cappella ensembles to participate in NBC’s reality show competition, The Sing-Off.  This version of Afro Blue (now renamed Afro Blue Vocal Band), mostly comprised of recent Howard University graduates, made it to the top four and became a fan favorite.

Following what has been called by many a “banner year” Afro Blue was named by  The Washington City Paper as 2011 Jazz Artist of the Year and received an honorable mention in the Critics Poll, professional vocal group category by JAZZ TIMES.  In February 2012, Afro Blue received The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) “Wammies” Awards for best A Cappella Group and best Video (Nature Boy).  In addition, Afro Blue was presented with The Spotlight Award – which is awarded to an artist(s) that brings national focus to Washington music.   Afro Blue, consisting of current students,  continues to function as Howard University’s premier vocal jazz ensemble,  while Afro Blue Vocal Band performs as a separate entity.

On April 1st, 2012, Afro Blue will release their 3rd CD, The Best Is Yet to Come at Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, located on Howard University’s main campus. This CD contains a compilation of music recorded by Afro Blue from May 2010 – May 2011.  Afro Blue’s first CD release, Freedom in Song as well as their collaboration with jazz legend Dr. Billy Taylor, It’s a Matter of Pride, which includes several compositions written by Dr. Billy Taylor in memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., can be purchased at  www.cdbaby.com. Afro Blue is also featured on Motherless Child, jazz violinist John Blake, Jr.’s 2010 release which mines the rich repository of the African-American Spiritual songbook and contains new jazz arrangements of timeless and inspirational works.

Listen to Afro Blue

Audio Recordings by Afro Blue available for review on the Howard University Afro Blue page.
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