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ILLUMINATIONS - Vocal Visions Media Group Compilation
This is the first CD that features the Vocal Visions Media Group roster of Artists including, Don Braden, Brasil Brazil (Ana Gazzola and Sonia Santos), Peggy Duquesnel, Dave Ferris, Bill Harrison, Rick Helzer, Ellen Johnson, Daryl Kojak, Laurie Krauz, Peter Polzak, Barbara Sfraga and Center Search Quest and Nolan Shaheed. Also featured will be the first member of our selected talented from our Emerging Artists Program, Laura Mayo.
The CD features a wide range of quality music from hard hitting NY swing, impressionistic contemporary jazz, Brazilian rhythms, sultry vocals, orchestral arrangements and creative vocalizations from mostly original compositions. Other artists featured are James Newton, Bob Sheppard, Darek Oles, Larry Koonse, Roy McCurdy and arrangements by Alan Broadbent.
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RHYTHM WALTZ - Jay Clayton (Download Only)
The CD "3 for the Road" is a collaboration between three musical friends that have been playing together sporadically for several years. Internationally known jazz vocalist, Jay Clayton, is highly acclaimed for her perceptive jazz improvisations and vocal explorations. The CD was a collaboration with celebrated European pianist and composer, Fritz Pauer and trombonist, Ed Newmeister a member of the ground breaking New York Trombone Quartet (TNC). Each contributed to the repertoire of this CD with ideas for tunes, platforms for improvisation or original compositions. The selection, "Rhythm Waltz" is a solo composition by Jay Clayton performed accapella with her highly personal wordless vocabulary enhanced by innovative use of vocal electronics.
(Download Only - no physical CD available)
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| THESE DAYS - Ellen Johnson
A raw, soulful jazz journey using creative, contemporary and lush vocals inspired by the bass of Darek Oles, mixed with moments of guitar & drums (Larry Koonse & Roy McCurdy) and passionately dedicated to bebop master Sheila Jordan.
Twelve tracks of exposed emotion that travel through stories composed by a variety of accomplished songwriters and artists, from Mingus to Jackson Browne. Spiced with original songs, lyrics and poetry highlighted by duets with bass mixed with a raw instrumental approach. Ellen Johnson, a jazz singer who has the inspiration to take us to creative territory has succeeded in making music that touches our souls. Her expressive, whimsical and honest approach to each song carries "These Days" into an unforgettable journey.
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WITH EVERY KISS (FOR FRANCES) (Download Exclusive) - Ellen Johnson
Rick Helzer, piano
Recorded - March 3, 2007
This song "With Every Kiss (For Frances)" was written by Ellen Johnson as a gift to her mother and to honor all of the mother's in our lives. Everywhere this song has been performed people have requested where they can purchase this for their mother so we decided to make it available to the public for Mother's Day - and every day.
(Download Only - no physical CD available)
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| CHINCHILLA SERENADE - Ellen Johnson
This is the follow up to Ellen's first CD "Too Good To Title" and features a variety of songs with a contemporary twist. Once again Ms Johnson manages to delight us to her unique versions of standards while bursting out with exciting Brazilian rhythms mixed with inspiring gospel settings and original compositions. Arnaldo Desouteiro of the Tribuna Bis Rio De Janeiro said of Ms Johnson: "Superb technique and strong emotional expression incorporating dramatic effects on the same level as Mark Murphy and improvises with the mannerisms of Urszula Dudziak".
Ellen's interply with her accompanists, which include piano, bass, guitar, drums, percussion, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and clarinet is exemplary. There is an exhilarating wordless harmony with guitarist Peter Sprague on "Samba Ulla" , a vivid bass and voice interaction on "You Turned the Tables on Me" and a seamless version of "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper reminisent of the Miles Davis interpretation.
Ellen has managed to gain critical recognition for both of her CD's being selected as Editior's Choice in Cadence Magazine and the shortlist for top vocal albums in Jazz Journal International 1999..
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| TOO GOOD TOO TITLE - Ellen Johnson
The versatile and highly appealing Ellen Johnson made her debut with "Too Good To Title", a memorable set that mixes together standards and originals in a fresh creative way. Praised by critics as "the most promising jazz singer of the 1990's" and called "an ambitious young singer with impressive sass and class" by JazzTimes magazine, Ellen has successfully created a CD well worth noting.
The CD features the great alto saxophonist, Charles McPherson on the Mingus composition "Peggy's Blue Skylight" with lyrics by Ms Johnson. This accoustic jazz collaboration of piano, bass, drums, percussion and occassional synthesizer treatment is the perfect complement to Ellen's stunning and expressive 3 1/2 octave range. With an array of unique song choices including seldom performed vocal compositions from Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts along with Mingus, Bill Evans, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, classic jazz standards and originals this CD is an inspiring trip off the beaten path of typical jazz vocalist selections with an inventive style using the voice as an instrument. "Too Good To Title's" vocals range from deep down depressing soul searching tenderness to upbeat craziness. As Step Jazz magazine suggests, "Find it, buy it, and play it. A lot!".
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ECLIPSE (Download Exclusive) - Ellen Johnson
Rick Helzer, piano
Gunnar Biggs, bass
Recorded - March 3, 2007
Long time friends and musicians Ellen Johnson, Rick Helzer and Gunnar Biggs took a trip to Spragueland Studios (home of guitarist Peter Sprague) to record a few songs that were significant to Ellen. Being a long time Charles Mingus fan and having recorded and written lyrics to his music it would not be long before she found her way to the poignant composition, Eclipse. The lyrics symbolize the prejudice in inter-racial relationships overcome by the power of love. Very few singers have recorded this song as it has a complex harmonic, rhythmic and melodic structure. The first recording was in 1953 with Janet Thurlow as the vocalist and rumor has it that Sheila Jordan was asked to sing it upon request of Charles Mingus. The arrangement with the erratic yet solid groove (so aptly delivered by bassist Gunnar Biggs) pattern was conceptualized by Rick Helzer with the suggestion of an open, rubato second 8 bars by Ellen which creates an incredible sense of the tension and the release of this love story. This recording is exclusively a download and not available at this time on CD but may be combined with a future Mingus project of vocal songs according to Ms Johnson.
(Download Only - no physical CD available)
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| GLORY OF LOVE and more... (Downloads Exclusive) - Laurie Krauz
In the mid 90’s Laurie Krauz zipped into the studio to record a small array of her most requested songs – just for fun. Joined by her longtime collaborator and arranger Daryl Kojak on piano, Joe Fitzgerald on bass and Gene Lewin on drums, the session once again united and exploited the remarkable artistic camaraderie shared by the group – resulting in a 4-song gem of sensual and passionate interpretations of a select variety of time honored standards. The set sizzles with raw emotion – whether it’s their aching interpretation of Monk’s “‘Round Midnight” or their spirited, joyful and swingin’ rendition of the Joe Young/Bernice Petkere favorite, “Lullaby of the Leaves.”
But it was Billy Hill’s “Glory of Love” that was the motivation for the session. Their explosive, gospelly-blues treatment of this tune is so unexpected – and so inspiring – it is the groups most requested song (and Laurie’s mom’s favorite). Laurie has decided that it’s time to release the fruits of this very personal and important session.
Before the release of her debut CD, "Catch Me If You Can" (2001), a jazz writer heard Laurie Krauz with the Daryl Kojak Trio live and essentially begged them to provide him with a recording of the band's rendition of the Joe Young/Bernice Petkere gem, "Lullaby of the Leaves." That, coupled with some other fan favorites often requested, catapulted them into the studio where they recorded a few of their most-requested tunes. On the heels of the previously released "Glory of Love" (available for download exclusively through the Vocal Visions Media Group website), Laurie has now decided the time was ripe to release the second in this series of four previously unreleased recordings from this very special and personal recording session.
Once again, Laurie is joined by her long-time collaborator and arranger, Daryl Kojak on piano with Joe Fitzgerald on bass and Gene Lewin on drums. The chemistry and delight these four had in the studio will come swingin' out at you in their joyful rendition of this wonderful tune.
An accomplished singer and rising star in the jazz world, Laurie Krauz has now provided an opportunity for her fans to experience their favorites any time they want – and to bring the inspiration home.
(Downloads Only - no physical CD available)
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| THE ROAD NOT TAKEN - Lou Lanza
Hot, swinging male jazz vocals with breath-catching agility and personality.
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| WOMEN'S WORK - Judi Silvano
Judi Silvano has earned a place among the top jazz vocalists today. Her rich and engaging voice evidences considerable range, strength, and emotional weight, which has deepened over the years. On Silvano’s 8th feature album Women’s Work (June 5, 2007, JSL Records), she’s in great form presenting under-recorded compositions by seven prominent jazz women: Mary Lou Williams, Abbey Lincoln, Sheila Jordan, Blossom Dearie, Carla Bley, Bessie Smith, Meredith D’Ambrosio, plus songs by bandmembers Silvano and Janice Friedman. Recorded live last March at New York City’s Sweet Rhythm Jazz Club, the album features Silvano and her swinging Women’s Work band—pianist Janice Friedman, bassist Jennifer Vincent, and drummer Allison Miller. A champion of original compositions and parity for women in society, Silvano has worked to gain respect as a Vocal Musican and as an Educator trains singers to become musicians.
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| RIDING A ZEPHYR - Judi Silvano & Mal Waldron
What the reviews are saying: "On Riding a Zephyr, Silvano and Waldron wrap around each other with ease and fluidity, blending their instruments in a manner that makes the session feel like the meeting of two old friends." (Jason Koransky, DownBeat Magazine) "Waldron creates textures bathed in deep emotional beauty, setting the mood for Silvano who wraps herself round it for a stunning piece of work. Silvano has a pliable voice, the timbre deep and warm. On "Finding My Love" she builds the atmosphere convincingly, making loneliness a wrenching experience." (Jerry D'Souza, AAJ) "Throughout Riding A Zephyr, Waldron lays down his distinctive rumbling bass chords with his left hand and doesn't play more than is needed with his right. Silvano's singing is a good match; for she aims for the heart of a song and hits her target. (Alan Lankin, JazzMaTazz) "Riding A Zephyr is a winning combination that will please jazz fans everywhere." (Lee Prosser, Jazzreview.com)
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