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Celestial voice, ethereal chords, lyrical bass : here are the components which describe perfectly the music of the Sonia Johnson Trio, a unique sound in the landscape of Canadian jazz. This magic, born in an acoustic environment, can reach neophytes as well as most demanding music lovers. Joined together for the first time in the spring of 2004, the members of this trios are dedicated to the exploration of the vast repertoire of jazz standards. They also cover beautiful French songs and Brazilian music as well. And it is with this enthusiasm that they share this passion with their audience! SONIA JOHNSON _ voice In 1990, Sonia migrated towards Montreal to continue her studies in Classical singing at the School of Music Vincent-d'Indy. That's where she discovered vocal jazz through some workshops given by bassist Michel Donato. Self-taught improviser, she developped her style listening to jazz singers. Ella Fitzgerald for the vocal precision and imaginative improvisations, Billie Holiday for the dramatic interpretation and Patricia Barber for the balance. Over the past years she performed in the most diversified artistic experiments. Instigator of her own trio, soloist within the octet Swing Our Souls, performing or directing musicals, backing-vocal for songwriter like Roger Tabra and Jean Viau. Her voice also traveled through various musical horizons, from disco music to French classics, while passing by R&B and the Latin songs. She won the contest of the Fondation Abbé Charles-Emile Gadbois in 1993, and more recently that of the "Concours Éveil musical" in 2002. The following year, she received a fund from the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, thus enabling her to start research centered on French vocal improvisation. She just received a grant from "Fundation of Montreal" mayor for the youth" to help produce the cd "don't explain" ALEXANDRE GROGG _ piano After studies in classical piano, Alexandre Grogg started listening to Oscar Peterson and discovered jazz. His new passion led him to Saint-Laurent CEGEP and classes with Lorraine Desmarais. In 1999, he met Guy Nadon and began appearing regularly with Le band du Roi du Drum. He toured Hungary with the Bernard Primeau Jazz Ensemble, then returned to Montreal to record some 15 broadcasts for Radio-Canada La chaîne culturelle, with, among others, Normand Guilbeault, Claude Lavergne, and Jean Derome. His first solo performance, in October 2001, was for Radio-Canada Le club de minuit, since rebroadcast three times. Co-leader of the quintet Ensemble en pièces, he put out his first cd "Jardin D'Exil" in 2004 on the Ambiances Magnétiques label. Also granted from the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, he is pursuing his studies in improvisation with Ran Blake in Boston. DANIEL LESSARD _doublebass Daniel initiated his studies in double bass and piano at theConservatoire de musique de Québec and the Berklee School of Music of Boston. Later on, he completed his formation in composition at the McGill University, then in ethnomusicology at the Université du Québec à Montreal. He writes music for the Théâtre de l'Estoc and the Théâtre du Trident. Among the artists of the jazz and popular scene which he has accompanied in shows and on records, let us mention Jeri Brown, Fred Hersch, Diane Schuur, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, Ed Thigpen, Ranee Lee, Gilles Vigneault, Robert Charlebois and Diane Dufresne. He created a concerto for harmonica and orchestra with participation of the poet Raôul Duguay. As a composer, he has mastered several recordings including «Toucher les continents» and «Barôcco», and various collaborations with renowned poets. Check out the artist's website: http://www.soniajohnson.com Track List: 1. There's a Small Hotel 2. O Amor Em Paz 3. Invitation 4. Everything Happens to Me 5. Tout Mais Pas ça 6. My Melancholy Baby 7. Nice Work If You Can Get It 8. All the Things You Are 9. Undecided 10. La Chanson D'orphee 11. Don't Explain Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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