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October 6, 2009, 9:12 pm
Ellen Johnson Sings the Music of Charles Mingus October 15, 2009
 Called "superior jazz singing by an artist of the highest quality" by Jazz Journal International, Ellen Johnson will be sharing her unique style and repertoire of jazz vocals joined by San Diego jazz artists, pianist Rick Helzer and bassist Rob Thorsen. The concert is scheduled for Thursday, October 15 with one show at 9:00 PM at Tango Del Rey located at 3567 Del Rey Street, San Diego. The admission price is $15 General and $10 for students with an ID. For more information call 858-581-1114 or go to http://www.TangoDelRey.com for tickets. The concert will feature the music of Charles Mingus along with a tribute to jazz vocal icon, Sheila Jordan. Ellen recently featured both of these artists’ music on her CD These Days, writing lyrics to Mingus compositions and doing a duet with Ms Jordan on her song “The Crossing.”
This concert reunites Ms Johnson with her longtime musical partner, pianist Rick Helzer, Professor and Associate Director of Jazz Studies at San Diego State University and Rob Thorsen, whose current CD Lasting Impression was released this year on the San Diego based Pacific Coast Jazz label. Ellen, who is currently working on an all Mingus project, has written the lyrics to three Mingus compositions and recorded five songs with the permission of Sue Mingus. This event is co-sponsored by the San Diego Jazz Musicians Guild whose goal is to support and encourage a higher quality of Jazz education, appreciation and understanding in the community. For more information contact President Karin Carson at http://www.sdjmg.org. This event is also part of “Daniel Pearl World Music Days,” an entire month of worldwide "Harmony for Humanity" concerts in memory of the death of Wall Street Journal Reporter Daniel Pearl reminding the world of the principles by which Danny lived, the universal power of music and our shared humanity.
August 22, 2009, 4:01 pm
BACK TO SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL TOOLS FOR SINGERS
YOU SING JAZZ - sing-a-long tracks
THE WARM UP CD - male and female low/high voice
VOCAL BUILDERS: The Foundation - vocal ear training exercises
 You Sing Jazz combines the best of professional and educational aides to practicing and performing by offering the chord changes for seven standard songs in six different keys! Produced by professional jazz artists these tracks provide everything a vocalist (or instrumentalist) will need to build skills in not only singing songs but also improvisation and knowledge of song structure.
All songs are arranged in a typical setting with intros, endings and room to solo and recorded with a live, professional rhythm section of piano, bass and drums. Songs are prepared with only chord changes so singers can really have an opportunity to develop a solid foundation with each song and apply to other jazz songs. Each song was chosen to give singers a wide range of jazz styles from ballads, swing, jazz waltz, Latin feel, and a combination of styles.
The songs can be purchased as a 2 CD set download or choose just the key that is right for your voice and buy one song. This CD is perfect for educators, jazz combo and band leaders, schools with jazz programs and professionals who need a rhythm section to keep in practice.
Order online through www.soundvisionsmedia.com, www.iTunes.com, or www.CDBaby.com.
 Important for all singers (soloists, bands, choirs, professionals and beginners) to get their voices ready to perform, increase musicianship skills, and develop strength, better vocal production, and a great singing voice.
Available for either Female or Male High & Low Voices, as a physical CD & Workbook that can be shipped to you, or as an instant download in MP3 format with a PDF version of the workbook. (PDF download book available only through Sound Visions Media).
 Steps for Improving Singing and Ear Training
Each workout step helps to build vocal technique along with harmonic strength and identification. The purpose is to assist singers to become better musicians so that they can sing better, feel more confident and expand their skills.
The steps are divided into structures similar to building a house.
• Step 1 (The Foundation)
• Includes major, dorian and mixolydian scales; major, minor, diminished and augmented triads; major 7, dominant 7 and minor 7 chords
Each track has a specific scale, triad or chord to focus on with a particular vowel or vocal exercise sound. As you practice the ear training exercise maintain the vowel sound, breath support, and connection to help strengthen your technique. All exercises have a brief sung example and then you will sing along with either the piano or another instrument. All are given in female ranges but can be sung down an octave for males.
August 4, 2009, 5:48 pm
John Stowell Concert and Workshop in Ojai, CA
Master Jazz Guitarist, John Stowell Brings His Unique Sound to Ojai
With A Concert And Workshop
Ventura, CA July 30,2009: A world class guitarist, John Stowell is known internationally as a musician with a unique sound supported by a sophisticated harmonic concept. As a result John has shared the stage with some of the most respected musicians and singers in the world including Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, Paul Horn, David Friesen, and many others. John will be performing in concert with guest vocalist, Ellen Johnson, on Friday August 14 at the Ojai Valley Inn located in Ojai at 905 Country Club Road. There will be two shows, one at 8 PM and one at 9:30 PM. On Saturday, August 15th from noon to 2 PM, John will present a guitar workshop. The workshop will not only cover guitar techniques but will be open to singers who are interested in observing his accompaniment style (assisted by vocalist Ellen Johnson). For more information on how to register please contact info@vocalvisions.net or 805-272-8125.
John Stowell began his successful career in the early 1970's with private study with guitarist Linc Chamberland and pianist John Mehegan. Both men were valuable mentors to John, allowing him to play with them as he progressed in his development. Several years later he met bassist David Friesen in New York City, and they formed a duo that recorded and toured prolifically for seven years, with performances in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. In 1983, John and David joined flutist Paul Horn and Paul's son Robin Horn (on drums) for a historic tour of the Soviet Union. This was the first time in forty years that an American jazz group had been invited to play public performances in Russia. In 1993, 1995, and 1998 John returned to Russia, playing in numerous cities. His two sold-out performances in Kursk may have been the first appearances there by an American jazz musician.
John continues to tour, record and teach internationally spending half of his time in the New York scene and the other in scenic Portland, Oregon. He has been Artist-In-Residence at schools in Germany, Indonesia, Argentina, and in the United States and Canada. He served as assistant director and performer in Oregon Public Broadcasting's PDX Jazz Summit in 1991, and since 1995 has been a contributing columnist for a number of magazines, including "Downbeat", "Guitar Player", Canadian Musician", "Soundcheck" (Germany), and "Guitar Club" (Italy). John is featured along with bassist David Friesen on the soundtracks of two Academy Award Nominated short films (Will Vinton Studios, Portland, OR, and Bosustow Studios, Los Angeles, CA). The album "Through the Listening Glass" with David Friesen was chosen one of the Ten Best Jazz Albums of the Decade by the Los Angeles Examiner and John was chosen Talent Deserving Wider Recognition by Downbeat's International Critic's Poll in 1978 and 1979. He has also been featured in Japan's "Swing Journal”, "The Jazz Guitar" (Ashely Mark Publishing, England), and the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (Leonard Feather and Ira Gitler) along with appearances on BET Jazz Discovery and Guitar Series television shows.
“The quality of your playing impresses me very much. You have great taste and sensitivity. You’re a true musician, and I would add, a true jazz musician”. Lalo Schifrin
“In the age of mediocrity and clones, John Stowell’s uniqueness and originality are a breath of fresh air. I love playing with him.” Paul Horn
“John Stowell plays jazz, but he doesn’t use any of the clichés; he has an incredible originality. John is a master creator.” Larry Coryell
“I’ve been a fan of John Stowell’s for some time.” Mundell Lowe
“More guitarists would play like John Stowell if they knew how.” Herb Ellis
“Can make an electric guitar sound like a singing voice.” Nat Hentoff
“Guitarist John Stowell’s style with standards is a delightful departure from the road well traveled. He transcends the label of jazz guitarist.”- Los Angeles Times
“He plays his amplified guitar as if he were surrounded by fine crystal- the type of slow burning, sustained energy that you hear in players that practice all the time.” - Downbeat
“John Stowell’s approach to harmony that is uniquely his own.” Just Jazz Guitar
"Stowell played beautifully, combining his trademark creamy chord voicings with long, sinewy phrases." - Seattle Times
"Stowell made his electric guitar sing beautifully, displaying all the virtuosity that has brought him to the jazz world's attention in recent years." - Coda Magazine, Toronto
April 21, 2009, 7:45 pm
MOTHER'S DAY CD
"FROM A MOTHER'S HEART"
Compilation CD dedicated to Mother's and Mother Earth
With a roster of artists that includes:
Sheila Jordan
Don Braden
John Stowell
Mala Waldron
Ellen Johnson
Peggy Duquesnel
Judi Silvano
Barbara Sfraga
Brasil Brazil (Ana Gazzola and Sonia Santos)
Ann Belmont
Christopher Dean Sullivan, Michael T.A. Thompson, Rick Helzer and the many musicians contributing on each song.
Each composer includes a heart felt message about why they wrote the song for their mother or Mother Earth. The stories are personal and meaningful and will resonate with each of our hearts.
ABOUT THE MUSIC:
The songs on this compilation are individual in their message, some using lyrics others capturing the essence of their mothers through pure musical tones. From the joyous instrumental composition, “Ellie” to the intimate story of ancient ancestors in dedication to the earth with a poem “For My Chacoan Ancestors” the CD begins and ends with a deep understanding of the sprit of each mother’s heart. Intimate ballads with tender lyrics as in “Song For My Mother”, “With Every Kiss”, and “You Know Me By Heart” intertwined with the humor of a mother’s daughter “Dat Dere” amidst the orchestrated and full arrangements of deep messages in “Children’s Playgrounds”, Bougainvillea”, I Do Remember You, and another instrumental message in “Song For Mother (She Is Made Of Love)”. We even included our distant friends with a journey to the shores of Brazil and the beautiful Portuguese lyrics about the goddess of the sea. The majority of these songs are original compositions written by the artists who perform them and each one is dedicated to their own mother.
Downloads available at: soundvisionsmedia.com•iTunes• CDBaby
November 2, 2008, 2:06 am
Sheila Jordan Continues to be a Messenger of Jazz As She Approaches Her 80th Birthday
New York, NY, November 2, 2008: Don't expect legendary jazz icon Sheila Jordan to stop singing any time soon."I'll retire when I die," she asserts. "This is what I do and it's been very good to me. I am blessed." Sheila Jordan continues her relentless schedule making her sixth trip to Europe this year with over 100 concerts. She recently performed in Edmonton and Calgary in celebration of her upcoming 80th birthday November 18th showing the audiences and jazz fans why she's considered one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time. Ms. Jordan will be returning to Canada to perform at Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill in Montreal on November 21 & 22.  Ms Jordan was also featured this week on NPR Radio Jazzset with Dee Dee Bridgewater in a live performance honoring her with the 2008 Mary Lou Williams Award for a Lifetimeof Service to Jazz. "You know you're getting old when they start giving you awards," laughs Jordan. "But I never started out in this music to be a diva. I just wanted to be a messenger, and that's what I am, carrying the message of this wonderful music of jazz." But before she packs up for Canada and more International tours, Sheila Jordan will celebrate her 80th birthday in a special celebration with a series of performances November 18th – 20th at Dizzy’s Coca Cola with a string quartet featuring the music of Charlie Parker and other great composers. "I was 14 when I heard Bird on the radio and I knew this was the music I wanted to dedicate my life to." Her long time accompanist Steve Kuhn will join her on piano with his trio consisting of; David Finck, bass; Billy Drummond, drums; and the string quartet with Mark Feldman, violin; Barry Finclair, violin; Vincent Lionti, viola; Harold Birston, cello. Set times are 9:30 and 10:30 with reservations required. Contact 212.258.9595 or visit http://www.jalc.org/. The same day her new live recording release "Winter Sunshine" on Justin Time Records will be released to add even more excitement to the celebration. For more information go to: http://www.SheilaJordanJazz.com or http://www.SoundVisionsMedia.com.
October 20, 2008, 2:56 pm
SHEILA JORDAN CELEBRATES 80th BIRTHDAY
Jazz legend who has left a mark as an innovator and messenger of the music  New York, NY, October 21, 2008 : One of the remaining legends of jazz vocals, Sheila Jordan, celebrates her 80th birthday with a series of performances November 18th – 20th at Dizzy’s Coca Cola along with the Steve Kuhn Trio and String Quartet featuring Steve Kuhn, piano; David Finck, bass; Billy Drummond, drums; Mark Feldman, violin; Barry Finclair, violin; Vincent Lionti, viola; Harold Birston, cello. Set times are 9:30 and 10:30 with reservations required. Contact 212.258.9595 or visit http://www.jalc.org/.
All Music Guide says that vocalist Sheila Jordan is "one of the most consistently creative of all jazz singers." Starting with her 1962 debut Blue Note recording Portrait of Sheila, Jordan has become an iconic jazz figure, influencing many other artists in the jazz vocal genre. The New York Times raves, "Her ballad performances are simply beyond the emotional and expressive capabilities of most other vocalists." One of the most consistently creative of all jazz singers, Sheila Jordan has a relatively small voice, but has done the maximum with her instrument. She is one of the few vocalists who can improvise logical lyrics (which often rhyme), she is a superb scat singer, and is also an emotional interpreter of ballads. Yet despite her talents, Jordan spent much of the 1960s and '70s working at a conventional day job. She studied piano when she was 11 and early on, sang vocalese in a vocal group. Jordan moved to New York in the 1950s, was married to Duke Jordan (1952-62), studied with Lennie Tristano, and worked in New York clubs. George Russell used her on an unusual recording of "You Are My Sunshine" and she became one of the few singers to lead her own Blue Note album (1962). However, it would be a decade before she appeared on records again, working with Carla Bley, Roswell Rudd, and co-leading a group with Steve Kuhn in the late '70s. Jordan recorded a memorable duet album with bassist Arild Andersen for SteepleChase in 1977, and has since teamed up with bassist Harvie Swartz on many occasions. By the 1980s, Sheila Jordan was finally performing jazz on a full-time basis and gaining the recognition she deserved 20 years earlier. She recorded as a leader (in addition to the Blue Note session) for East Wind, Grapevine, SteepleChase, Palo Alto, Blackhawk, and Muse, resurfacing in 1999 with Jazz Child. - by Scott Yanow from All Music Guide
For more information about Ms Jordan go to: www.sheilajordanjazz.com
September 26, 2008, 12:20 am
DANNY GREEN DEBUT CD!
 DANNY GREEN RELEASING HIS DEBUT CD:
WITH YOU IN MIND
"Danny Green is an emerging young jazz artist who has a pulse on keeping the tradition of jazz piano alive while stepping boldly into the future through the use of cultural sounds and world music rhythms. His musical sound comes across to listeners as a pianistic mixture of Bill Evans, Brad Mehldau, Danilo Perez, and Ravel with original compositions emerging from the sincerity of his soul."
Danny Green will be releasing his debut album "With You In Mind" this January. The album features Justin Grinnell on bass, Dylan Savage on drums, Tripp Sprague on Soprano Sax, and Allan Phillips on percussion. Consisting of 10 originals and one cover by Danilo Perez, this album provides a great mix of Brazilian and Latin Jazz. Check out some of the tracks on the "music" page.
September 10, 2008, 2:26 pm
DON BRADEN NEW CD RELEASE!
DON BRADEN & JUDI SILVANO NEW CD RELEASES!
 DON BRADEN
GENTLE STORM
Personnel: Don Braden (alto flute, tenor saxophone); George Colligan (piano); Joris Teepe (bass instrument); Cecil Brooks III (drums).
Highnote Records
Don Braden has been a prolific recording jazz musician since he left the employment of Betty Carter and Wynton Marsalis in the 1980s. After a live soul jazz organ trio recording in 2006, he returns to the recording studio here with his working quartet. He has used songs from both the Great American Songbook and more contemporary popular tunes - Never Can Say Goodbye and Leon Russell's warhorse, This Masquerade - as vehicles for his warm tenor tone. His backing band is fully in step with Braden and they bring a seamless mainstream quartet presentation that is pleasing to the ear. Recorded in 24-bit digital format by ace engineer Tom Tedesco at Tedesco's studio in New Jersey, this CD has a warm pleasing tone with vinyl-like sonics. On two tracks - The Hunter and My Foolish Heart - Braden performs in a duo setting with bassist Teepe - on flute on the latter. Braden takes on Lee Morgan's Speed Ball and matches Lee for swagger and cocky confidence.
Ballads are a big feature of this CD and Braden acquits himself well on Gentle Storm. What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?, the bluesy Willow Weep for Me (with a great blues lines by pianist Colligan), the title track, and a gorgeous flute solo with spot on bass accompaniment by Teepe on My Foolish Heart, are all reasons to explore this new CD by Braden. His maturity as both a tenor stylist and bandleader are fully in evidence on Gentle Storm. Highly recommended!
TrackList: Secret Love, Gentle Storm, Never Can Say Goodbye, What are You doing the Rest of Your Life?, This Masquerade, The Hunter, Willow Weep for Me, Two of a Kind, My Foolish Heart, Speed Ball
- Jeff Krow (Audiophile Audition)  JUDI SIVANO
CLEOME: LIVE TAKES The immense musicality of jazz vocalist-composer and improviser extraordinaire Judi Silvano blooms in full flower her newly released CD, Cleome: Live Takes, on JSL Records. Keenly dedicated to her expressive artistry and bold, adventuring approach to songcraft, Silvano teams up with a stellar group of collaborators on the album, including saxophonist George Garzone, bassist Michael Formanek (with John Lindberg taking over on two tracks) and drummer Gerry Hemingway, to create a vibrant garden of performances. Each of the nine songs on Cleome stands as an evocative glimpse into the soul of one of the jazz world’s truly creative personalities, and as a whole this release should reminder listeners of the voice’s unwavering primacy as an tuneful instrument, and Silvano’s genuine gifts in this regard.
To some extent the release of Cleome: Live Takes can be seen as a “re-discovery” of a nearly forgotten work. The album, after all, was completed in 2000, with most of the tracks recorded by Silvano’s husband, saxophone titan Joe Lovano, in the music room of their upstate New York home.
August 14, 2008, 9:41 pm
NEW EDUCATIONAL RELEASES
YOU SING JAZZ 
You Sing Jazz combines the best of professional and educational aides to practicing and performing by offering the chord changes for seven standard songs in six different keys! Produced by professional jazz artists these tracks provide everything a vocalist (or instrumentalist) will need to build skills in not only singing songs but also improvisation and knowledge of song structure.
All songs are arranged in a typical setting with intros, endings and room to solo and recorded with a live, professional rhythm section of piano, bass and drums. Songs are prepared with only chord changes so singers can really have an opportunity to develop a solid foundation with each song and apply to other jazz songs. Each song was chosen to give singers a wide range of jazz styles from ballads, swing, jazz waltz, Latin feel, and a combination of styles.
The songs can be purchased as a 2 CD set download or choose just the key that is right for your voice and buy one song. This CD is perfect for educators, jazz combo and band leaders, schools with jazz programs and professionals who need a rhythm section to keep in practice. Order online through www.soundvisionsmedia.com, www.iTunes.com, or www.CDBaby.com. MODERN CHORD MELODY with guitarist John Stowell  Jazz chord melody may very well be the most challenging of all guitar styles to truly master. Players must develop right-hand thumb and finger independence, a robust vocabulary of jazz voicings, a strong sense of melody and and arranger's feel for composition. And these are just the fundamentals. Once you have the "easy" stuff down, it's all about groove, arrangement, performance and improvisation.
Modern Chord Melody takes the student beyond conventional harmony and chords by introducing a broader, more contemporary palette of voicings, shapes and single note ideas. Stowell beckons students to think out of the box, to create and visualize new shapes and sounds on the instrument. John also demonstrates a series of new inversions, which can be readily employed in accompaniments and compositions, and may also serve as templates on the neck to generate unusual and original sounding melodies and motifs.
Modern Chord Melody is optimized for solid intermediate to advanced players and is presented across 2 interactive video CD-ROMS (Windows and Mac compatible), and features 40 full-length video lessons, text overviews, standard notation and interactive Power Tab so you can "see" and "hear" the tab and notation played out at any tempo, without a change in pitch.
May 19, 2008, 12:51 pm
| Presented the 2008 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Award at Kennedy Center |
Sheila Jordan, was presented the 2008 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Award for her lifetimeof service to jazz. She joins such other artists as Jane Iran Bloom, the late Patti Bown,Toshiko Akiyoshi, Marian McPartland and Melba Liston as winners of the award. Jordandescribed herself as "seventy-nine-and-a-half" years old, but "feeling fourteen."
All Music Guide says that vocalist Sheila Jordan is "one of the most consistently creative of all jazz singers." Starting with her 1962 debut Blue Note recording Portrait of Sheila, Jordan has become an iconic jazz figure, influencing many other artists in the jazz vocal genre.
The New York Times raves, "Her ballad performances are simply beyond the emotional and expressive capabilities of most other vocalists." For more information about Ms Jordan go to: www.sheilajordanjazz.com or www.soundvisionsmedia.com.
The award was given during the 13th Annual Women In Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Named after Mary Lou Williams one of the first leading ladies of jazz, the Kennedy Center Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival now ventures forth into its 13th exciting year. For the past 2 years, these concerts have sold out and this one was no exception. The Washington Post says the festival "speaks volucharmaine blogmes about the contributions women have made to jazz - and continue to make - both here and abroad." Each evening features three unique sets featuring remarkable female jazz musicians performing with their own ensembles. These concerts have presented many of the best jazz artists performing today. For these musicians, Mary Lou Williams has served as their inspiration to leave their mark on every aspect of jazz. Mary Lou Williams once said, "If we are to make progress in modern music, we must be willing and able to open our minds to new ideas and developments." She showed many of us how to do that.
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January 31, 2008, 12:09 am
Don Braden Celebrates David "Fathead" Newman 75th Birthday
DON BRADEN PERFORMS AT:
David 'Fathead' Newman And Friends- Celebrating David's 75th Birthday!
With Special Guests Phil Woods Thursday, Jimmy Heath Friday, Frank Wess Saturday, Cedar Walton SunJimmy Cobb, Steve Turre, Dave Valentin, Melvin Sparks, Janis Siegel, Ken Peplowski, Bill Easley, and more  IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB
1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st)
NEW YORK, NY 10023
RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121
http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com/
Sets At 8:30 & 10:30PM
January 2, 2008, 11:23 am
ALL ABOUT JAZZ REVIEW- JAY CLAYTON
All About Jazz Review -Suzanne Lorge  Jay Clayton's career as a singer defies easy classification. True, she most often sings jazz, but she's also collaborated with two of the most prominent modern composers of art music - Steve Reich and John Cage. Even when it comes to jazz, her palate is nothing if not diverse: She is as comfortable with free improvisation and electronic music as with standards. After performing for more than two decades in New York, Clayton moved to Seattle in 1982 to head up a vocal jazz program at Cornish College of the Arts. She moved back to New York in 2001 and quickly reestablished her home base here. In early December she spoke from her home in New Paltz with AllAboutJazz-New York about her ongoing musical exploration and current projects. Clayton is at Enzo's Jazz Jan. 25th.
November 20, 2007, 9:54 pm
ELLEN JOHNSON CD "THESE DAYS" MAKES PRELIMINARY ROUND FOR 50th GRAMMY AWARDS!
Field 10 - Jazz
Category 46 - Best Jazz Vocal Album
#027 - These Days/ Ellen Johnson
For more information about the CD "These Days" please go to:
http://www.vocalvisions.net
http://www.ellenjohnson.net
www.myspace.com/ellenjohnson
"Ellen Johnson's These Days is one of the best albums to be heard from a no- nonsense jazz singer in the past year; she and her recording are worthy of serious consideration for placement in the 2007 DownBeat Critics Poll".
- Frank-John Hadley, DownBeat
"Johnson has released a challenging, sophisticated and successful album that raises the standard of modern jazz singing by at least one notch. While other singers are rehashing the great American songbook, Johnson is putting it through the meat grinder and creating a whole new menu".
- George Harris, All About Jazz
"Ellen Johnson's new release "These Days" is a complete breath of fresh air. Johnson who is not afraid to go where no vocalist has gone before presents a CD of taking chances. A standing ovation for Ellen Johnson. Thank you for showing the world of Jazz vocals that there is so much to explore".
- James Rosen, Inside Connection
November 20, 2007, 9:36 pm
TAPESTRY REWOVEN COMING SOON!
 Laurie Krauz and Daryl Kojak are thrilled to announce that they are in pre-production with Tapestry Rewoven – a jazz genre re-imagining of Carole King’s legendary recording, Tapestry, in its entirety.
Four years ago the idea came to Laurie while listening to "You’ve Got a Friend" (a song she reveres as an anthem for the friendship she shares with her college roommate, Barb). Tapestry Rewoven will be the first time the entire recording is re-imagined by an individual vocalist of any genre. It is a celebration of this legendary recording and the work of the remarkable Ms. Carole King. The group’s aim is to bring something new and fresh to the music and lyrics while honoring it in the process. For more information, visit www.lauriekrauz.com
“Without a doubt, Krauz has the voice and the sensitivity to do justice to any of Carole King’s classic songs. Krauz has been lauded time and again for her “velvety voice” and her impressive skill as a jazz singer and entertainer…. [T]his technique is the very thing she can bring to this classic album to truly make it her own.”
-Cassie Newman, Cabaret Exchange
September 3, 2007, 5:04 pm
Ellen Johnson New York Tour
Ellen Johnson "These Days" New York Tour "Ellen Johnson's "These Days" is one of the best albums to be heard from a no-nonsense jazz singer in the past year" -Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat
Vocalist Ellen Johnson will make a rare New York appearance performing songs from her latest CD ,These Days. which features and is dedicated to legendary jazz artist, Sheila Jordan. Her NY-area tour includes:
October 19 - NY CD Release for "These Days" at Enzo's Jazz at The Jolly Madison Hotel Towers on
October 20 - Susan's Restaurant in Peekskill
October 21 - Cornelia Street Cafe ("From the Heart Concert" featuring a collaboration of Vocal Visions Media Group artists)
October 25-28 - The Jazz Improv Live! Festival and Convention featuring clinic with saxophonist , Don Braden
According to Michael P. Gladstone (All About Jazz), the bass and voice duets between Ms Johnson and bassist Darek Oles "will remind jazz vocal aficionados of the Sheila Jordan-Harvie S.(Swartz) collaborations". The brilliant guitar work of Larry Koonse, dynamic drumming of Roy McCurdy and sensitive percussion work of Ana Gazzola complete the CD.
Ellen is known for her eclectic repertoire, vocal nuance, wordless song painting, and straight from the heart interpretations. She recently received glowing reviews for her live performance from Don Heckman (LA Times), Jazz Critics Choice from Kirk Silsbee (Los Angeles City Beat) and was chosen as one of the top three vocalists along with Dianne Reeves and Diana Krall for 2006 by Brazilian producer and jazz critic, Arnaldo De Souteiro.
"Johnson has released a challenging, sophisticated and successful album that raises the standard of modern jazz singing by at least one notch. While other singers are rehashing the great American songbook, Johnson is putting it through the meat grinder and creating a whole new menu".
-George Harris, All About Jazz
September 3, 2007, 5:00 pm
"From the Heart" NY Concert
Vocal Visions Media Group
"From the Heart" Concert
at Cornelia Street Cafe Sunday, October 21
 featuring: Don Braden, Ellen Johnson, Laurie Krauz, Daryl Kojak, Lou Lanza, Barbara Sfraga and Center Search Quest (with Christopher Dean Sullivan & Michael T.A. Thompson) and special surprise guests! Don't miss this opportunity to hear Vocal Visions Media Group artists in their first NY collaborative appearance celebrating the Jazz Improv Live! Festival and the music they love.
8:30 PM
29 Cornelia Street, Greenwich Village
$12 Cover/$7 minimum
212-989-9319
www.corneliastreetcafe.com
August 2, 2007, 1:24 pm
Featuring performances and clinics from: VOCAL VISIONS MEDIA GROUP ARTISTS: DON BRADEN & ELLEN JOHNSON  
http://www.jazzimprov.com
August 1, 2007, 12:07 am
LA TIMES CRITICS CHOICE !!!!
Barbara Sfraga and Center Search Quest Receive critics choice and a stunning review for their California Timelessness Tour in July
LA TIMES CRITICS CHOICE
- Don Heckman The singer likes to call herself a voicist -- presumably Sfraga's way to invest her vocals with an instrumental perspective (a ala saxophonist). But the truth is that she really doesn't have to do anything other than allow her inventive singing to speak for itself. Always eager to bring new life to the most familiar songs, Sfraga has gotten together with the gifted quartet Center Search Quest to develop new material in a style eclectic enough to combine elements of cutting-edge improvisation with R&B-tinged rhythms. REVIEW by Skoot Larson Anyone who might think there is nothing new in jazz these days hasn’t heard Barbara Sfraga and Center Search Quest. With an eclectic sound that this writer could only sum up as “jazz theater,” Barbara and the CSQ mesmerized a fair sized audience Sunday night, July 15th, in the intimate setting of Rosalie and Alva’s Performance Gallery, San Pedro, California. READ THE WHOLE REVIEW HERE: http://skootsjazz.com/webcopy/barbara.pdf
July 5, 2007, 12:26 pm
THE TIMELESSNESS PROJECT CALIFORNIA TOUR!
Barbara Sfraga& Center Search Quest in California!
 Featuring: Voicist Barbara Sfraga, Keyboardist/Pianist/Vocalist Mala Waldron, Bass Artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan and Soundrhythium/Vocalist Michael T.A. Thompson La Ve Lee
12514 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA
Reservations: 818.980.8158
Thursday, July 12th
Sets: 8:30 PM & 10:30 PM
$10. cover
KRML's Jazz & Blues Company
The Eastwood Building, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Reservations: 831.624.6432
Saturday, July 14th
7:30 PM
Tickets: $40.
Rosalie and Alva Performance Gallery
1417 W. 8th Street , San Pedro, CA
Reservations: 310.519.1314
Sunday, July 15th
6:00 PM
In this unique and diverse collaboration, The Timelessness Project is genre-bending its way to a whole new sound. With roots firmly planted in jazz and with the improvisational element always in place, the ensemble is on a quest to leave no groove unturned. All five musicians lend their creative -- as well as their physical -- voices to this project in three part harmony, with a little spoken word thrown into the pot. It's music without borders. Timelessness Frozen in Time features mostly their original material. They sprinkle their live performances with a few boldly arranged, yet familiar surprises. ...these jazzicists are a cohesive group, both in terms of their own interplay and the ease in which they incorporate soul, funk, rap and adventurous modern jazz into the mix...the whole set has a soaring energy that is in keeping with its positive message music slant. ~ JAZZIZ MAGAZINE
Bottom line: few fusion groups can compete with such jazz-oriented diversity. ~ JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE
...taking on the guise, the trappings, of a pop music approach, but with the sensibility of jazz artistry. And I think that that's something that is gonna make this album one of my favorites as the year winds down.
~ Neil Tesser, LISTEN HERE! RADIO (www.listenhereradio.com)
Cutting edge from start to finish, even when tackling some well known funk, this set of mostly group written originals succeeds in pushing the envelope in the tradition of the best progressive jazz in contemporary times no matter what freak flag it flies under. Anyone who¹s dug progressive jazz in the past has something new to look forward to.
~ MIDWEST RECORD RECAP
May 4, 2007, 12:00 am
LAURIE KRAUZ FEATURED ON SONICBIDS!
Starting Monday, 5-7-07 and running throughout the entire week, our very own Vocal Visions Media Group artist, Laurie Krauz, has been chosen to be featured on the Sonicbids home page because they love her music and think her e-press kit is terrific (we think so too!). Click on the Spotlight Artist link above and visit Sonicbids. See what Laurie had to say about her work – and about Vocal Visions Media Group! Sonicbids was launched in 2001 on a simple idea: that it should be super-easy for artists and music promoters to find each other online, without sending bulky press kits through the postal mail. Since then, Sonicbids has become one of the fastest-growing music communities on the web trusted by over 70,000 artists and over 6,000 festivals, music conferences, and clubs from over 100 countries.
May 3, 2007, 5:16 pm
BEST FEMALE JAZZ VOCALIST- Laurie Krauz!
Congratulations to Vocal Visions Media Group artist Laurie Krauz! At a ceremony Tuesday evening, May 1st, at B.B. King's in New York City, Laurie was awarded best Female Jazz Vocalist at the 21st Annual MAC Awards. The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) honors excellence in live entertainment and recordings in cabaret, jazz and comedy. For more information go to: www.macnyc.com or www.lauriekrauz.com
April 15, 2007, 11:19 pm
Ellen Johnson with Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks
Ellen Johnson selected by Dan Hicks to sing at a special concert for Musicians Workshop! Saturday, April 21st, 2007 6:00 PM PDT 
Musicians Workshop In Home Concert
Contact for exact location
Temecula, CA
951-678-2517
http://www.musiciansworkshop.org
$45.00 (Call in advance to reserve tickets)
The original Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks recorded five ground-breaking and Billboard-charting records for the Columbia, Blue Thumb and Warner Bros. labels. They toured worldwide and Dan appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine three times.
The newest incarnation of DH & HL released the wildly successful "Beatin´ the Heat" in 2000, featuring collaborations with Bette Midler, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Rickie Lee Jones and Brian Setzer. USA Today called it "one of the blessings of the new millenium." That release was followed by the live cd "Alive & Lickin" in 2001, and the late 2003 cd/dvd "Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks Featuring An All Star Cast of Friends" That project reunited Hicks with virtually every musician he has ever played and recorded with. Both Mojo and Downbeat Magazines rated it "Four Stars...one of the best cds of ´04." 2005 brought the newest studio release "Selected Shorts" featuring special guests Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Gibby Haynes, Jim Keltner and Van Dyke Parks. Widely touted as the band´s best cd yet -- The New Yorker Magazine remarked "As great as his early masterpiece "Where´s the Money?"... truly superb."
April 8, 2007, 5:04 pm
PEGGY DUQUESNEL CD RELEASE
Faculty Artist Spotlight Concert Featuring:
The Peggy Duquesnel Quintet
Peggy Duquesnel, Piano / Vocals
Jay Mason, Sax / Flute
Ernie Nunez, Bass
Kendall Kay, Drums
John Chiodini, Guitar
Plus Guest Musicians:
Jeff Held, Trumpet
Mike Peak, Bass
Sunday, April 15, 2007 / 2:00 p.m. / CU Center at Concordia University
Concordia Box Office at 949-854-8002, ext. 1526
Tickets: $15 general and $10 for students and seniors
Pianist / Composer / Vocalist Peggy Duquesnel, instructor of Jazz and Contemporary Music at Concordia, has recorded with jazz notables such as Alan Broadbent, Henry Mancini and Dionne Warwick. The former organist for the Anaheim Angels and the Mighty Ducks has released several jazz and inspirational CD's which have received critical acclaim.
The concert will include Peggy's original compositions, along with her jazz and gospel arrangements featuring a stellar group of professional musicians and faculty plus an opening performance by The Concordia Jazz Combo.
We will be celebrating the release of her new inspirational CD, "Divine Light!"
March 1, 2007, 4:31 pm
CD RELEASE PARTIES FOR ELLEN JOHNSON
Ellen Johnson CD Release Parties in LA and San Diego San Diego Sunday, March 4th - 4 PM featuring VVMG roster artist, Rick Helzer. Check calendar for more info. LA CD Release Party 
December 20, 2006, 10:57 pm
VVMG ARTIST GETS TOP JAZZ PICK FOR 2006 AND MORE!
ELLEN JOHNSON IN TOP JAZZ PICKS FOR 2006 AND HOT 100 UNSIGNED ARTIST FOR 2006 Arnaldo DeSouteiro, renowned Brazilian jazz critic and producer, selected Vocal Visions Media Group artist, Ellen Johnson, in his top 3 picks for female jazz vocalist for 2006 along with Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves. The male category had Mark Murphy, Lou Lanza, and Al Jarreau and there were major recording artists in the 33 instrumental categories. The list was compiled for the Rio de Janiero publication, Tribuna Bis, in the December 18, 2006 issue. Ellen was also chosen by Music Connection Magazine as one of the 100 Unsigned Artists for 2006 in the Southern California area. Southern California has become the location of choice for many artists to come and get discovered. This is because Los Angeles is still the home of many top entertainment reps from not only record labels, but film and tv production companies. For this reason, the alphabetical Hot 100 unsigned artists list is even more competitive with more artists to choose from. Those involved with determining the results of this year’s poll included Music Connection staff members, journalists, club bookers, publicists and other industry pros.
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