Phyllis Chapell & SIORA

SIORA@Michener.jpg

 Phyllis Chapell & SIORA perform music drawn from the great musical traditions of the world—Brazil and Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Western Europe and the U.S.—all with their own unique arrangements. Phyllis Chapell sings in 13 languages, so she adds a linguistic authenticity to the repertoire.

Her songs in English includes elements of jazz, funk, folkloric, Americana, with a good amount of original compositions put into the mix.

“Blending world music and jazz into a soundscape that needs no translation, Phyllis Chapell takes you on a journey of the soul, touching down in Rio, Paris, Mazer-e-Sharif and points beyond.” (Straight No Chaser, UK)

Phyllis Chapell & SIORA have performed in a wide range of venues including the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia), Sunset Jazz Series (Wiggins Park, Camden, NJ) to the Quito Jazz Festival (Quito, Ecuador).

Phyllis Chapell & SIORA includes a group of stellar musicians, including Dave Posmontier on keys; on bass—Chico Huff, Rob Swanson, Steve Beskrone, Kevin MacConnell, Dave Brodie; on drums/percussion—Doug Hirlinger, Jimmy Coleman, Paul Jost, Gavin McCauley, Jim Hamilton. She has also been blessed with guest artists on her recordings, such as Ken Ulansey on woodwinds, Howard Levy on harmonica, and guitarists Steve Jewett and Barry Wahrhaftig.

Her newest project is an EP called Phyllis Chapell 4 Love.

Phyllis Chapell has long loved the Great American Songbook in the tradition of Ella, Billie and Sarah. She was inspired by a letter from Bob Perkins (beloved Jazz Radio Host of WRTI) to focus and record 4 jazz standards dedicated to him. Here is an excerpt from Bob Perkins’ letter:

“I've been meaning to mention to you that I'm mad about your voice, as are some of my listeners. For my 2 cents, you have one of the finest singing voices I've heard in many years. Today, you are the closest thing to the great ones of yore…like Sarah, Dinah, Morgana and a few others. I’ve been in this racket for better than a half-century, and I’ve not heard any better voice in recent years.

I would just love to hear you wrap your lovely voice around an album of vintage material...the caliber of which the ladies just mentioned used to sing. When I play those mentioned, I often think of your voice in their place.”