Brooke “Viosocalist” Alford, Artist of the Violin

A native of Aberdeen, NC and currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Brooke “Viosocalist” Alford performs as an Artist of the Violin. Brooke plays in various styles including, but not limited to Contemporary Jazz, Gospel, Pop, and R&B. She has opened for national and international recording artists such as Najee, Will Downing, Paul Taylor, Eric Darius, and Rick Braun.  Brooke has also shared the stage with James Ingram and Kenneth Edmonds, better known as “Babyface”. Brooke has also been featured on BRAVO TV’s series, “Housewives of Atlanta”,Trinity Broadcasting Newtwork’s (TBN) “Praise the Lord” program featured with Gospel Artsit Rodney Dean Boyden, the 2011 Colorado Smooth Jazz and R&B Lover's Festival in Denver, CO, and with nationally acclaimed comedian "Special K" of the Rickey Smiley Show at "Jazz and Jokes" in Nasvhille, TN.


When Brooke plays the violin, her audience is captivated by the way she soufully sings through the instrument, like no other violin player. She was given the name "Viosocalist" [Pronounced: VIO (as in "Violin")-SOUL-KA-LIST], after displaying this high level of performance. As an Artist of the Violin, Brooke's desire is to expose her audiences to her music in a "new light", aside from the classical orchestral setting and image, stretch their imagination past that which is commonly experienced with the instrument, and show that the violin truly has no limits to the music in which it can be seen and/or heard.

At the early age of 5, Brooke studied the piano under her Mother, Dell Alford (who is a professional music educator) and proceeded to study the violin just a few years later with Violinist, Heather Ritchie.  Because the unique timbre and tone of the violin were so captivating, she knew that this was the instrument for her.  In high shcool, the violin became her primary musical focus.  She then began studying privately with Atlanta Symphony Violinist, Jay Christy to advance her playing to the collegiate level of study.

Brooke recieved her Bachelor of music degree Cum Laude from the prestigious Florida State University School of Music.  She was under the insruction of the late Beth Newdome, former Associate Concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.  While studying at FSU, Brooke performed for World renowned Jazz Violinist, Regina Carter during Mrs. Carter’s 2004 Atlanta Jazz Festival masterclass.  Brooke also studied under the FSU International Program in London, England with Royal Philharmonic Violinist, Eric Chapman. 

Brooke has been recognized state wide and nationally as a Reflections Arts Competition winner for two of her original compositions: Illusions (1994) and A Day of Dreams (2002).  Brooke has also arranged popular tunes such as: When the Saints go Marching in, Beethoven’s Joyful, Joyful, and the old Georgia fiddle tune, Orange Blossom Special, all of which are featured on her debut album Expressions. Expressions is a musical journey of original compositions and arrangments of popular tunes ranging from Contemporary Jazz, Classical, R&B, Gospel, and more!

Understanding the importance of encouraging and inspiring mankind through the gift in which God has entrusted her, Brooke, along with international recording artists such as LaTonya Blige, Mary J. Blige, and Lalah Hathaway, have teamed up with BKS1 Entertainment (based in New Jersey) and The YWCA as featured artists on the "National Rise Up! Against Domestic Violence" Music Compilation.  This album was created to bring awareness to Domestic Violence and encourage those who feel trapped to "Rise Up!" and GET OUT.  This campaign can be supported by purchasing the album on CD Baby and other various online distributors. Brooke's current album is available on her website, www.BrookeAlfordViolin.com, along with the "Rise Up! Against Domestic Violence" Music Compilation.

Career Highlights

  • Opened for Smooth Jazz National Recording Artists Eric Darius and Rick Braun at the 2011 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in Avalon, CA

  • Performed with nationally acclaimed comedian "Special K" of The Rickey Smiley Show at "Jazz and Jokes" in Nashville, TN (2011)

  • Featured on BKS1 Entertainment and The YWCA's National "Rise Up! Against Domestic Violence" Music Compilation along with LaTonya Blige, Mary J. Blige, Lalah Hathaway, and more (2011)

  • Featured Artist during the 2011 Georgia Association of Black Women Attorney's Annual Gala at the Historical Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA

  • Featured Artist during the 2011 Colorado Smooth Jazz and R&B Lover's Festival in Denver, CO

  • Performed during the 2011 YWCA National Conference “Rise Against Domestic Violence” Campaign in Washington D.C.

 

  • Performed for the Women for Women International’s “Join me on the Bridge” Campaign at City Hall in New York City to commemorate the Centennial International Women’s Day (2011)                                                                               

  • Performed with Hit Singer James Ingram during the 2011 Trumpet Awards in Atlanta, GA

 

  • Performed with Music Legend Babyface during Music Executive Devyne Steven’s “Winter Wonderland” Christmas Show at the Roxy Theater in Buckhead, GA (2010)

 

  • Opened for National Smooth Jazz Recording Artist, Paul Taylor at Samubca Jazz Cafe in  Atlanta, GA (2010)

 

  • Opened for world renowned Smooth Jazz Recording Artists Na’Jee and Will Downing at the State Theater of New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ (2010)

 

  • Cast member of the NEW TV Show Series “Which Way” airing 2011: www.WhichWayShow.com

 

  • Performed for Gospel Recording Artist, Byron Cage at his mother’s 75th Birthday Party (2010)

 

  • Performed for Smooth Jazz Great, Najee, and guests during the 2010 Inaugural Gala for the Mayor of Paterson, NJ, Jeffery Jones (2010)

 

  • Shared the stage with New York’s popular radio show host for 98.7 Kiss FM (WRKS New York), Jeff Foxx on bass at the 2010 Inaugural Gala (2010)

 

  • Performed with Beyonce’s Saxophonist, Tia Fuller in Paterson, NJ at Jacksonville (2010)

 

  • Performed during the Legendary Sunday Jam Session at The Village Underground in New York City, NY (2010)

 

  • Performed with the Great Cecil Brooks on drums at Cecil’s in West Orange, NJ (2010)

 

  • Performed at the Legendary Jazz Jam Session at Crossroads in Garwood, NJ (2010)

 

  • Guest Interviewee and Performer on New Jersey’s BSK1 RADIO (Best Kept Secret RADIO) LIVE Online Radio Show “Live In The Vocal Booth” (2010)

 

  • Clark Atlanta’s 91.9 FM “Jazz and Jeans” music series featured guest artist (2009 and 2010)

 

  • Featured on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) with Gospel Recording Artist, Rodney Dean Boyden September 2009   

 

  • Special Musical Appearance at the 2009 WORLD Natural Hair and Beauty Show                                 

 

  • BRAVO TV, “House wives of Atlanta” reality series, airing October 2008 

 

  • Special Guest Artist for Praise 97.5’s 2nd Annual “Gospel Jazz Live!” Outdoor Concert at Villa Christina (2008)

 

  • Private Parties for Courvoisier, Level Vodka, and the BET Awards (2008)

 

  • The 2007 Atlanta Jazz Festival “Future of Jazz” Stage (featured with Saxophonist Antoine Knight)