The following article and photos were extracted from the Trinidad Express Women’s Magazine
Story by:Rhea-Simone Auguste
While many local singers strive to make their names known in soca, calypso, R&B or gospel music, Vaughnette Bigford makes no qualms about her openness to another avenue of expression - jazz. Her delivery is instantly appealing and even otherworldly at times. With each note, she explores the broad parameters of contemporary jazz, drawing you in with her earthy, soulful renditions of some of the most timeless standards. 
So, why jazz? Bigford, 33, said: “Jazz allows you freedom of expression - the ability to improvise or express yourself through the music. I love jazz music because that’s what I know. That’s what I grew up on as my grandparents often listened to vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughn and I listen to Carmen Mc Rae, Diane Reeves and Thelonious Monk.” “I’ve been singing since childhood and through my school years but I never thought about singing professionally until 2003 when my husband Shurlan asked if I didn’t intend to take my music seriously. After that, I decided to go get some voice training with Cristiana Balbosa and that’s where it started.”
Bigford, who’s also an Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner at Petrotrin, said she then did vocal training with Jessel Murray and foreign vocal training. “I learned from Howard Rees in Toronto, Dr Barry Harris, Sheila Jordan who’s a 75-year-old vocalist and educator and a pianist named Hank Jones,” she noted. While many local singers strive to make their names known in soca, calypso, R&B or gospel music, Vaughnette Bigford makes no qualms about her openness to another avenue of expression - jazz. Her delivery is instantly appealing and even otherworldly at times. With each note, she explores the broad parameters of contemporary jazz, drawing you in with her earthy, soulful renditions of some of the most timeless standards. So, why jazz? Bigford, 33, said: “Jazz allows you freedom of expression - the ability to improvise or express yourself through the music. I love jazz music because that’s what I know. That’s what I grew up on as my grandparents often listened to vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughn and I listen to Carmen Mc Rae, Diane Reeves and Thelonious Monk.”
“I’ve been singing since childhood and through my school years but I never thought about singing professionally until 2003 when my husband Shurlan asked if I didn’t intend to take my music seriously. After that, I decided to go get some voice training with Cristiana Balbosa and that’s where it started.” Bigford, who’s also an Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner at Petrotrin, said she then did vocal training with Jessel Murray and foreign vocal training. “I learned from Howard Rees in Toronto, Dr Barry Harris, Sheila Jordan who’s a 75-year-old vocalist and educator and a pianist named Hank Jones,” she noted. “I then started off singing with Carlon Zanda and the Coalpot band after a referral from Rudolph Thomas - a co-worker at Petrotrin.” But, she said there aren’t enough spots catering to jazz music in Trinidad. “I so desperately want there to be a place where jazz musicians can air their music. There are hardly places where we can play. We need more avenues for us to exhibit our craft. Jazz isn’t really happening as much as we want it to happen in Trinidad. That’s why I have thank 110 Jazz and Calypso lounge in San Fernando as it’s one place where jazz artistes are featured on a more regular basis.”
Bigford’s professional entry onto the jazz circuit came at the 2004 Steelpan & Jazz Festival (formerly Pan Royale) as she performed as a guest vocalist with Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Phase II Pan Groove. For three consecutive years she graced the stage at the San Fernando Jazz Festival, appearing with Carlton Alexander’s Coalpot Band. Also at that Festival, audiences would have been treated to her leading the chorus line for world-renowned Botswanan flugel horn player, Socca Moruakgomo. Now, for the most part on her own, Bigford says she uses similar musicians for every gig and contracts musicians as the need comes up. “When I get gigs, most of the time I work with Theron Shaw, a jazz guitarist who arranges most of the music, Dougie Redon on bass, Richard Joseph on drums and Mikhail Salcedo on steelpan (tenor). But I work with other musicians as well.”
So what’s next for Bigford? She said: “The last show I did, I was one of the featured vocalists for the Return of the Hat for the Steelpan and Jazz Festival.
“My next project is my CD but I’m still working on getting the right arrangers. I know Thieron Shaw for sure but I’m not limiting myself. I am also a member of the International Women In Jazz based in Manhattan, so the arrangers could also come from there. And I’m one of the featured artistes for an upcoming event called Women in Jazz and I hope a lot of people come out and give their support.”
