Jo Belle Yonely

Voice
Notes with a Purpose Teaching Artist

Jo Belle Yonely is a jazz vocalist, songwriter, recording artist, voice actor, and educator whose artistry is matched by a long and meaningful commitment to mentoring young musicians. As jazz vocal instructor in the UNLV Division of Jazz and Commercial Music, she has nurtured and guided generations of emerging artists with wisdom, warmth, and deep professional experience.

Born in Chicago into a show business family, Yonely grew up surrounded by legendary musicians, including family friends Louis Armstrong and Al Hirt. She went on to perform widely on the Chicago jazz scene with artists including Ira Sullivan, Von Freeman, Eddie Johnson, Johnny Frigo, Willie Pickens, Howard Levy, and John Campbell. Her career has included appearances at jazz festivals nationwide, nine album recordings, a performance for President George H. W. Bush with Lionel Hampton, and the co-founding of the Brazilian jazz group Chizil. Now based in Las Vegas, she continues to perform widely while shaping the next generation of vocal artists through her teaching at UNLV.