With West Indian roots and a Brooklyn, NY upbringing, jazz vocalist and two-time Downbeat Magazine award winning artist, Faith Quashie is a recent graduate of Western Michigan University’s eclectic vocal jazz program under the direction of Greg Jasperse. Whilst earning her Bachelor's in Music under the illustrious Prof. Jasperse, her musical growth has been formed by many other esteemed jazz musicians and educators - (Grammy Nominated) the New York Voices, säje, Carla Cook, Roxy Coss, Tahira Clayton, Allegra Levy, John Hebert, Keith Hall, Amanda Taylor, Matthew Fries, Dr. Andrew Rathbun, Erin Bentlage, May Erlewine, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick and many more! She is currently studying under recent mentor Dr. Trineice Robinson who is the current jazz voice instructor at Princeton University through the WIJO mentor program. Regarding her evolving BGV career, she can be found on recordings with Grammy-Nominated Joe Dart and Theo Katzman as well as including touring with May Erlewine for her 2019 CD Release Tour “Second-Sight” as well as a full touring season with WMU Gold Company in 2022.
Not only does she mark herself as a versatile solo vocal artist and sideman, she claims her heavy roots in the jazz art form as well as multiple genres spanning from gospel to classical. Faith has just finished her fourth and final season with one of the nation's most award-winning collegiate vocal jazz ensemble Gold Company. Faith has also been awarded the Honorable Downbeat Student Music Award (“Outstanding Performance” 2021) for two years in a row and is showcased in the magazine's 2021 and 2022 SMA issue. Faith has also participated as a mentee in the Women In Jazz Organization class of 2020-2022 shortly following an internship offer from the organization which she currently holds. She also currently holds a teaching position at the Kalamazoo Music School/ Jazz and Creative Institute in Kalamazoo, Michigan teaching piano and voice with over 100 students during her time there.
Faith continues making her Midwest debut alongside project influenced work that weaves interdisciplinary musical practice and American Sign Language into her artistry. Her musical philosophy involves seeking, manifesting and normalizing vocal, musical and spiritual liberation and thrives to do that through her music and bestow onto others.
