| The songs on this CD are a mix of well-known standards with some less
recorded songs. Aside from personally liking all the music picked to record
on this disc, Stephanie's aim was to give the listener an aural departure
from the norm. The title Sultry Standards and other jazz classics reflects
the slow, slinky and introspective moods of most of the selections, while
some of the livelier tracks are infused with swing, blues and Latin American
influences.
Pianist/arranger John Douglas, recording engineer/music mentor Greg Loeb,
and Stephanie worked together over seven-month period to create a special
mood for each of the 14 tracks recorded. "With John Douglas' arrangements,
each song, to me, sounds and feels like a fresh and invigorating musical
exploration. His talent and dedication to music inspires me. Also, working
with Greg Loeb in the recording studio was such a pleasure that it allowed
both John's piano and my singing to freely flow. I hope you enjoy these
selections, as much as I enjoyed singing and recording them!"
-Stephanie Sivers
vocals by Stephanie Sivers
(www.stephaniesivers.com)
piano/arrangements by John Douglas
(www.johnenricodouglas.com)
audio engineering/tracking by Greg Loeb
(oree@cox.net)
audio engineering/mixing by Jack Lee - Jasper Productions
(wvvw.jackleemusic.com)
audio remixing/mastering/cd graphics by Mark Casselman
photography by © 2005 kenji photography
(www.kenjiphotography.com)
*shaker used in "Fever" by Donna Greene
Special thanks to everyone in my life who genuinely and lovingly supports
all of my musical endeavors. You know who you are and I thank you deeply.
Stephanie Sivers, a native Santa Barbarian, is a dynamic vocalist
and performer. Trained by some of the best musicians from the Julliard School,
Manhattan School of Music, The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the
San Francisco Opera and Santa Barbara, Stephanie uses her rich yet sparkling
voice through the mediums of jazz standards, classical music, and other
genres of singing. She has performed in numerous operas, musicals and concerts
while obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in music, with opera companies in California,
at the Aspen Music Festival, in Italy through the Spoleto Vocal Arts Symposium,
and at local venues throughout the Santa Barbara community.
Stephanie has been the recipient of several Santa Barbara & California
awards including the Santa Barbara Foundation Peabody Music Grant, the
Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation Competition, and The Léni
Fé Bland Competition Grant as well as other notable scholarships
from the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado and from her university, C.S.U.C.,
during undergraduate studies.
Stephanie does not label her singing under a particular category. Singing
and performing both more contemporary music and classical music are equally
important to her. For the singing on this CD, Stephanie's clear, pure,
yet richly colored voice and nearly four octave range yields a unique
sound comprised of jazz & blues elements with a touches of classical
tones.
Her newly found love for singing popular standards came from a seed planted
at a young age when she listened to the sounds of big band, swing and
early jazz. Those sounds stayed with Stephanie as she began studying classical
music. Years later, in New York City, she studied music with a young and
promising professional jazz pianist and was inspired to open up the confines
of traditional classical music. Upon meeting pianist John Douglas in Santa
Barbara, Stephanie was further motivated to sing notes and phrasing that
most classical singers may not choose to explore.
John Douglas, while born in Santa Barbara, spent many years away
from his birth place studying music at UC Riverside and at U Mass Boston,
as well as experiencing the life of a professional pianist, arranger, songwriter,
composer and music teacher.
Some of John's experience includes performing with jazz and latin music
artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Stagnaro, Justo Almario, and Cougar
Estrada. He has toured with The Pointer Sisters, Donald O'Connor, Eddie
Fisher and many other top artists and stellar performers. John has recorded
extensively in commercial, and artistic settings including solo piano
work, work accompanying vocalists, albums/CDs with such artists as Ardeshir
Farah, Harold Bronson, L.A. Salsa Society, Bongo Logic, Present Tense
and internet award winners L.A. Carpool.
Aside from teaching, directing a jazz band, piano accompaniment at schools
and for artists/musicians throughout the community, John performs regularly
as a solo pianist with bands such as Laura Schlieske (jazz-rock &
roll), the Swizzle Sisters (rock& roll), Yogi Mango (New Orleans),
and The Bomb (funk-latin). He is currently involved with several recording
projects with Santa Barbara singers and Los Angles based bands. For more
information about John Douglas, Please log onto his website:
www.johnenricodouglas.com
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