Kelley Johnson emerges from the Seattle rain and casts the sun in the sky with her affectionate vocal tinges and her subtleties.

A jazz vocalist of the highest order, Johnson’s Home is a sincere record that runs the breadth of natural phrasing and stylish intimacy with effortless boldness, providing glimpses of a truly proficient vocalist that will surely find home in several places. Her style belongs both at the kitchen table and at the smoky jazz club, making pitstops the world over in between.

Johnson is as skilled an arranger and lyricist as she is a singer. She infuses her songs with class and her lyrics have a sense of kindness and social justice that is all too rare in the world of jazz.

Kelley grew up in the Midwest and was surrounded by music at an early age. Her mother was severely injured in a car accident and the family had to take in boarders to raise extra money to make ends meet. The guests in the Johnson home were an eclectic bunch, often comprised of a series of comedians, singers, songwriters, and actors. The record collection at the Johnson house grew as the result of so many new friends and it wasn’t long before young Kelley discovered a serious love for jazz.

Fast-forward to present day and Kelley Johnson is known as the singer with the “band concept.” She writes and performs with her backing instrumentalists in mind, always careful to leave open spaces for flourishes of piano or sax that so soothingly and effortlessly accompany her smooth vocals.

With Home, Johnson is well in control and balances things delightfully.

Her take on some of the classics is invigorating, as the attentive Geoffrey Keezer arrangement of Irving Berlin’s “Be Careful, It’s My Heart” is a bubbly but not tacky rendition of the tune and Ingrid Jensen’s take on the beautiful “Moon River” gives Kelley’s voice prime showing. She handles both classics with care and impeccable sophistication.

It is the astonishing “Home” that really demonstrates Johnson’s ultimate power as the complete artist, though. The magnificently visual lyrics, penned by Kelley herself, and the dazzling arrangement, also by Johnson, come together as a bluesy jazz tune worth many a repeat listen.

There are several great moments on Home waiting to be discovered by lovers of prime vocal talents.

Kelley’s work on “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly/Living Room” and her arrangement of the track should enjoy celebrated status and her take on the Gershwin classic “Love Walked In” shows the luminous corners of her voice without sounding kitschy.

Overall, Kelley Johnson’s Home is a tremendous jazz vocal record. Her ability to arrange and perform great songs is incontestable and her optimistically dramatic outlook towards song-craft shines through. It’s a beautiful album.

8/10

Sometimes the world just kicks you in the ass. A look at the newspapers can be hard to bear, as violent events and frightening human behaviour often read like something out of a horror movie as opposed to something genuine. Perhaps reality is the horror movie.

At times like these, I turn to the arts for direction and, more importantly, for healing. Film, literature, and music all have the philosophical ability to offer us what we seek. For a broken heart, a film can bring conclusion. For a disillusioned and discouraged soul, a great book can bring tenderness and comfort. And for a bleak and itinerant romantic, a beautiful song can bring it all.

When jazz vocalist Jamie Davis’ new CD, Vibe Over Perfection, came across my desk, I was in need of revival. Mentally, I was in the dumps. Yeah, I’m not ashamed to say it. On impulse, I slid the disc into the player, cranked the surround sound, and poured myself a cup of coffee.

Wow.

You know how people say that they have moments where every cloud in the sky simply dissipates and reveals a soft, radiant, warm sun underneath? You know how when people say that, you just wanna punch ‘em in the nose and say “Shaddap!” and get back to your slouching and pouting? Well since listening to Vibe Over Protection, I’ve been ducking punches all day long!

Davis has performed with the likes of Tony Bennett, Milt Jackson, Patti Austin, and Rosemary Clooney, to name a few, and his stunning baritone is to die for. He wraps his words around the melody, sliding the lyrics underneath the song and becoming part of the music rather than overcoming it. Davis is so smooth, so vibrant, and so clever that I couldn’t help breaking out in a huge smile.

Vibe Over Perfection is Davis’ second CD on Unity Music. Produced by Greg Errico, the former drummer for Sly and the Family Stone, this is a great jazz vocal album. Davis is backed by a slew of world-class musicians, including Tom Scott and members of the Count Basie Orchestra. As a result of this unimpeachable talent and Davis’ shimmering voice, this music swings hard.

An alumnus of the Count Basie Band himself, Davis lets loose on eight tracks with precision vocals and delightful timing. Take what he does with Lionel Ritchie’s “Hello,” for instance. Wonderfully arranged by Aaron Lington, the song features an extended instrumental portion. Davis’ vocals are emotional and he almost pleads with the listener as he intones the classic lyrics.

Other tracks hold similar treasures. There’s the record’s opening assessment of Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies,” a jazzy little ditty, and the gorgeous and poignant Bacharach hit “The Look of Love.”

All in all, Jamie Davis’ elegant and deep delivery is the perfect solution for dreary, dark skies. He sings with a sense of calm, but never neglects to put authority and energy behind each and every note. Davis is a rare talent and deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence alongside greats like Joe Williams and Lou Rawls.

Vibe Over Perfection is a terrific record, although I wish there was more to it. At just eight tracks and slightly over a half-hour, I could have used a lot more Jamie Davis. Ah well, I guess that’s what the repeat button’s for.

8.5/10

http://www.myspace.com/missbillieholiday  

www.last.fm/music/Billie+Holiday

Thanks to Brent and Karina for the great pics.

*** Amy Winehouse - Love is a Losing Game ***

Lyrics

For you I was a flame,
Love is a losing game
Five story fire as you came,
Love is losing game

One I wish I never played,
Oh, what a mess we made
And now the final frame,
Love is a losing game

Played out by the band,
Love is a losing hand
More than I could stand,
Love is a losing hand

Self professed profound
Til' the chips were down
Know you’re a gambling man
Love is a losing hand

Tho' I battled blind,
Love is a fate resigned
Memories mark my mind,
Love it is a fate resigned

Over futile odds,
And laughed at by the Gods
And now the final frame,
Love is a losing game...

This is a weekly "open rehearsal", and we never know whats going to happen from week to week. Show up and hear the wonderful Denise Anya sing a few jazz standards.

Many thanx to all the people who showed up last week!

Cup of Jo is located at:
4158 Norse Way
Long Beach, CA 90808
(562)421-2675
...across the street from the Jack in the Box.

Denise Anya on vocals
Smilin' Joe Perry on bass
Jason Takaki on guitar
Phil drums and vocals

Show up and have some fun!

*** Amy Winehouse - Back to Black ***

Lyrics

He left no time to regret,
Kept his dick wet,
With his same old safe bet.
Me and my head high,
And my tears dry,
Get on without my guy.
You went back to what you knew,
So far removed
From all that we went through.
And I tread a troubled track,
My odds are stacked,
I go back to black.

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...
I go back to us

I love you much
It's not enough
You love blow and I love puff
And life is like a pipe,
And I'm a tired penny rolling up the walls inside.

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...
Black
Black
Black
Black
Black
Black
Black
I go back to...
I go back to...

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...

We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to black...

A Jazz/Pop Vocal Concert

Friday, May 9, 7:30pm
Saturday, May 10, 7:30pm
Long Beach City College Auditiorium
(Clark Ave/Harvey Way)

General Admission $10
Students, Staff, Senior Citizens, Children $5
Parking $1

Opportunity Drawings and Prizes.

Join us for an evening of beautiful and fun Jazz and Pop vocal music!

The thing I really like about it is the music; listening to the harmonies takes me back to high school when I sang in a vocal jazz group. The animation's kinda cute, too, but it's the peppy singing that makes it a cut above the, uh, more typical Dwight Eisenhower commercial (yawn).

last nights coffee shop performance was a blast!
you'll be hearing more about Denise Anya soon.
great voice, great energy, great performer.

school is coming along.
lots of jazz.
small jazz ensembles.
large vocal jazz ensembles.
small vocal jass groups.
big band.
youll be hearing more about these groups as well.

this is entry #22 of the "30 day post project".

kevin kearney is an amazing musician.
an absolute jazz monster on piano, as well as a studied classical musician.
humble and mellow.
always patient and supportive.

as a musician who has supported myself solely by performing music, i have come to know many trained and talented musicians and performers. in my opinion, Kevin Kearney is one of the very best. one of those players that i dont meet very often. his personality is kind and forgiving, while his playing is always tasty and musical. ive worked with many college accompanist at many different colleges, and i see Kevin as a very unique talent. simply put, Kevin Kearney is good people. LBCC is very fortunate to have him as an instructor.

this is entry #9 of the "30 day post project".

Friday, December 7, 2007, 7:30pm
Saturday, December 8, 2007, 7:30pm
Long Beach City College Auditorium
(Clark and Harvey Way)

Featuring:
The Studio Singers
The Evening Jazz Choir
A Choired Taste
Sophisticated Ladies
Studio 8

Directed by Tom Dustman
Piano by Kevin Kearney

General Admission: $10
Students/Staff/Seniors/Children: $5
Parking $1

Opportunity Drawings and Prizes!

Come enjoy an evening of Family Holiday Music, as well as beautiful Jazz and Pop Classics!

For more information, visit
http://studiosingerslbcc.wordpress.com

Hello Friends!

The Scholarship Concert Sunday, October 14th, 2007
2:00pm-3:30pm
Long Beach City College Auditorium (corner of Clark and Harvey Way)

$10 General Admission
$25 Family Ticket (admits up to 4)

Featuring:

The Studio Singers, Tom Dustman, Director
Viking Chorale, Skye Angulo, Director
Chamber Orchestra, Marshall Fulbright, Conductor
Wind Ensemble, Brian Hamilton, Conductor
City Jazz Big Band, Wayne Brashear, Director

“All the proceeds of this concert go to music scholarships”

For more information, please visit us at:

http://studiosingerslbcc.wordpress.com

http://cityjazz.wordpress.com/

Presented by the Long Beach City College Department of Music, Radio & Television and Associated Students

Please repost this email to everyone in the world!

Beh, non so a voi, ma a me, da cantante giornalista, fa piacere. Ho sempre dei problemi con la categoria dei cantanti, ma adesso devo capire se la stampa dedica loro le copertine per questioni di marketing o perché veramente si sta muovendo qualcosa in campo vocale.

Devo pensarci.

Scholarship Concert
Sunday, October 14th, 2007
2pm-4pm
Long Beach City College Theater