about
Green Line X-Tension is a vocal group based in Boston, MA. Combining our unique vocal blend and tightly-woven harmonies, we have developed an eclectic repertoire of jazz standards, pop, rock, r&b, and original songs - all arranged by our very own Michael Johnson (tenor).
Johnson started this group in 2018 as a microcosm of Point of Departure Vocal Jazz at Berklee College of Music. In addition to Michael, GLX consists of Nicole Roberts (Soprano), Ani Johnson (Alto), Robbie Pate (Tenor), and Skip Lewan (Bass).
The vocal jazz tradition is rife with extraordinary role models. A few of our most prominent vocal influences include: The Real Group, Bob Dorough, New York Voices, The Manhattan Transfer, Ella Fitzgerald,
The Singers Unlimited, Mel Torme, Pust, and Take 6 among many many others.
Robbie Pate
Robbie Pate is a vocalist and pianist, born and raised in Baltimore, MD. He was a former voice student at the Baltimore School For the Arts '11', and graduated from The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston 'U.D. 16' Jazz.
Robbie currently performs regularly around the Boston and Baltimore area, is a private voice and piano instructor, teaches at the Groton School, and also hosts a monthly Acoustic Duo Series on 1st Fridays at the Outpost 186 in Cambridge, MA
Michael Johnson
Michael J Johnson is a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, arranger, and producer/engineer who grew up in Denver, Colorado. After receiving his Bachelors degree in music from the University of Colorado at Denver, he became a mainstay of the Denver scene in numerous bands. He was also the baritone and arranger for Denver vocal jazz quartet “Ayregin,” sharing the stage with groups such as Take 6.
He earned a Masters and Doctorate in Studio Music and Jazz Vocal from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he sang in the award winning Jazz Vocal 1 ensemble. He also worked as a guitarist/vocalist and recording and live engineer in Miami.
He currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts, where he works as a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, arranger and producer/engineer. He is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, in the Contemporary Writing and Production program, and an instructor at New England Conservatory.
Ani Johnson
Ani has had the performing “bug” since she was six and sang “All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth” at her elementary school Christmas pageant. Her love for the performing arts has allowed Ani a wide range of experience in the music industry over the years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Vocal Performance from University of Colorado at Denver and a Master’s degree in Music Business from University of Miami.
Currently, Ani is Associate Professor of Music Business at Berklee College of Music, is an international lecturer and consultant in Music Licensing, Marketing and Strategic Management. Her expertise was featured on CNN “The Lead”, at MIDEM, InHolland University, and Berklee Valencia she has also published an article entitled, “What’s Up with MXSup’s” in the MEIEA Journal and the Music Business Journal.
She combines her love for performance and industry work through her company MonoMyth Media - a Music Supervision company in Boston (Hollywood East) - and, of course, singing with Green Line X-Tension.
Skip Lewan
Skip was born in Georgia and grew up in a small town called Madison. As a young child he already was developing a passion for music, so he began taking piano lessons at age 7 and began playing the saxophone at age 11. Skip also played in many performing groups and events including Clovers and Company, the Governor’s Honors program, and the Juilliard Jazz Residency.
After high school Skip moved to Boston, MA to attend my dream school, Berklee College of Music. Composition, recording, and sequencing took up much of his time, as he was a Film Scoring major. While at Berklee he was a member of a classical chamber choir named Crepesculum for 2 years, and also led a vocal jazz group named Point of Departure. Skip graduated Magna Cum Laude in the class of 2015.
Currently Skip is a teacher at CATS Academy Boston, an international boarding school focused on students who are interested in attending college in the United States. He is the instrumental director and has started a rich Music Industry program at the school. Outside of teaching Skip is the pianist and worship leader at King’s Chapel in Boston, and plays with different bands throughout the year.
Nicole Roberts
Nicole Roberts was born in raised in Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania where she developed an interest in the performing and musical arts at a very young age. And it's been (mostly) sweet ever since!
A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Nicole studied Music Business Management and Voice.
At Berklee, she was fortunate enough to study voice with Patrice Williamson, Peter Eldridge, and Kathleen Flynn and sing with Point of Departure Vocal Jazz for 4 years (as well as co-direct for 1!).
Nicole is currently pursuing a certificate in Graphic Design from Rhode Island School of Design.
Her interest in graphic design has taken Nicole out of the music scene for the moment (aside from GLX, of course!), but she has a few tricks up her sleeve coming fairly soon...stay tuned!
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