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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.
December 15, 2006, 1:09 am
VOCAL VISIONS RELEASES CD "ILLUMINATIONS"
 Vocal Visions Media Group will be releasing the new CD, "Illuminations" with its premiere at the 2007 IAJE Convention in New York. This will be 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. Cover design by Jeff Foster at www.pixelpainter.com Look for the CD available on our webstore coming soon!
December 3, 2006, 9:31 pm
A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU!
NEW ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS SONG COMPOSED BY DARYL KOJAK AND LAURIE KRAUZ PREMIERES FOR 2006
 VOCAL VISIONS wishes you all a Merry Christmas with the new release of the original Christmas song composed and performed by VVMG artists, Laurie Krauz and Daryl Kojak. The song is titled, "A Christmas Gift For You" and it's message is beautiful and heartwarming, a special present to be given to someone you care about during the holidays. This song captures the essence of the season with it's tender lyrics sung with rich vocal tonality and deep expression by Laurie Krauz and a sensitive piano treatment from Daryl Kojak. This song has been recognized as a classical Christmas standard along with the many other songs for the holidays. Just visit our webstore and go to Seasonal/Holiday downloads.
December 3, 2006, 9:09 pm
Supporting Emerging Talent
Vocal Visions Support Program for Emerging Artists As part of our continuing efforts to create educational and professional opportunities for emerging artists we are including some of our talented students and semi professionals to be showcased with their music. Our first emerging artist is 18 year old Laura Mayo who has been attending the Vocal Visions Jazz Workshops and coaching privately with VVMG artists and clinicians, Ellen Johnson and Dave Ferris. You can listen to a brief sample on our webstore Emerging Artists, and download the original composition written by Laura and Ellen Johnson, "I Think I'm In Love". Include the song with our other artists for a great Christmas gift idea! Visit us soon for more Emerging Artists and check out our other VVMG established artists too! LAURA MAYO -photo by Jeff Foster  
August 23, 2006, 10:38 pm
VOCAL VISIONS SPONSORS EVENT
"Vocal Jazz Jubilee" with Legendary Singers Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton On Sunday, September24th, from 11 AM to 6 PM, the Jazz Vocal Coalition (JZVOC) along with the Arts Council for Long Beach, Vocal Visions Media Group, and Cal State Long Beach will be sponsoring a very special event. Hosted by CSULB (California State University Long Beach, the event will be a Master Class with legendary New York jazz vocalists Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton and an opportunity for high school students to be adjudicated by a panel of professional vocalist/educators that include: Christine Guter, Ellen Johnson, Cathy Segal Garcia and Michele Weir . There will also be a “Festival Showcase” at the end of the day where some of the singers from the event will perform and where one will receive the 1st Annual Ella Fitzgerald Young Artist’s Award. The adjudication panel will start at 11 AM, the Master Class at 2 PM and the “Festival Showcase” at 5 PM. The event is open to the public. Admission fees are $20 advance registration (by September 18) or $30 at the door (cash only). To register contact vocalvisions@vocalvisions.net or visit the JZVOC at www.jzvoc.org .
August 20, 2006, 10:00 pm
Jazz Singers Showcase
Jazz Singers Showcase From the jazz workshop of jazz vocalist, Ellen Johnson. The 1020 Club at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel in Los Angeles was packed! Sold out in advance for the second time for the Jazz Singers Showcase! To be involved in future showcases contact: ellen@ellenjohnson.net. 
July 23, 2006, 7:45 pm
MARNI NIXON MASTER CLASS SPONSORED BY VOCAL VISIONS
On, Sunday July 23rd, legendary vocalist Marni Nixon held a Master Class and Premiere book signingfor her autobiography, "I Could Have Sung All Night" published by Billboard Books. Sponsored by Vocal Visions and hosted by Ellen Johnson, Ms Nixon shared her vocal expertise with a variety of students, professionals and educators in an intimate environment. "Marni Nixon is the unacknowledged star of some of the greatest Hollywood musicals of all time. Those you loved Anna in "The King and I', Maria in "West Side Story", Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady" and Grandmother Fa in "Mulan" were responding to her wonderful voice and talent, and at last in her autobiography she comes out from behind the screen and takes a richly-deserved bow." -Roger Ebert Her book, with a foreward by the great opera singer Marilyn Horne, is available in stores in September for $24.95.
June 21, 2006, 3:51 pm
WELCOME TO OUR NEW SITE -VOCAL VISIONS
Welcome! Join us in the celebration of our new baby! Vocal Visions Media Group is excited to feature our roster of talented musicians and singers. A very special group of people who have come together to promote, distribute and create new works for the public. VERY SPECIAL THANKS to Jeff Foster who has designed this site and supports the music from his heart. Not only are the musicians creative but so are our wonderful media artists. AND THANKS to Shirley Downie who helped organize our business systems... our Director of Operations. AND Laurie Krauz for her assistance in all things and continous support of innovative and cooperative ideas. Vocal Visions Studios is proud to feature our excellent clinicians, educators and special workshops and programs 
So please look around the site and visit us often as we will be having new music featured on a regular basis Please sign our guest book and give us your comments. We want to hear from you
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