Frank Sinatra's Impact as a Soul Shifter Inspires New Album by Ponce

Singer/violinist Lorenza Ponce has crafted a sultry rock/Americana collection on her new CD, 'Soul Shifter.' Featuring her ethereal vocals and blues violin, Ponce's album charts a path out of the

shadows and into the spotlight for a talented artist who has spent years as a self-professed 'rock-girl side person' for such superstars as Sheryl Crow and as violinist for Bon Jovi and others.

On 'Soul Shifter,' Ponce eschews the new-age instrumentals of her previous solo efforts and instead has embraced vocals and the roots rock grooves she had always hoped to create. 'Soul Shifter' was produced, recorded and mixed by Matt Wells in New York City, using instruments from his collection of vintage items, including an equalizer from Hitsville USA (the original Motown studio); the Fender Rhodes Mick Jones used on Foreigner's hits, and even a cowbell Matt's
brother "borrowed" from Foghat in the 70's...The result, Ponce explains, represents "a style change from the classical training and new age music of my past, while incorporating the 'graduate degree' I have earned at the school of rock star employers and mentors."

Ponce has had a storied career as a performer and as a string arranger, and her credits include such notable tracks as Dixie Chicks 'Landslide', Sheryl Crow's 'Mother Nature's Son' and 'It's Only Love', Bon Jovi's MTV Unplugged 'Living on a Prayer' and more. Her extraordinary list of projects can be seen via ALL MUSIC: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:a9fqxqrgldhe~T4. Ponce credits Sheryl Crow for her transformation from sidewoman to 'rock chick'. "Sheryl was Patsy Cline to my Loretta Lynn. She encouraged me to pick up the guitar again, and in addition to hiring me to write string arrangements for her recordings, bought me my first really good pair of leather pants. And she encouraged me to keep making solo records."

The title track is a tribute to one of Lorenza's icons, Frank Sinatra. She comments: "A 'Soul Shifter' is someone who will turn your blue mood into joy and laughter, without you even thinking about it. They are so cool, or funny, or genuine, that you can't help being drawn into their world. Frank Sinatra was one of these people. Obviously I never met him, but his music, charm, and talent were so significant that to listen to him sing, read his interviews, or watch him performing, is uplifting. He was a Soul Shifter. I also consider Dolly Parton and Keith Richards to be in this group as well."

Upcoming Lorenza Ponce Concert Appearances Include:
Oct 26 The Living Room
New York City
Nov 5 The Bearsville Theater
Bearsville, NY
Nov 6 The Stanhope House
Stanhope, NJ
More dates will be announced soon.

Ponce has parlayed her music career into a growing involvement in a number of charitable causes. She has long supported "Joan's Legacy: Uniting Against Lung Cancer," and helps by getting artists to sign guitars for auction at their yearly fundraiser -- learn more here: http://www.joanslegacy.org/. Ponce will perform at this year's Rocktoberfest fundraiser for A Leg To Stand On, http://www.altso.org/about_us/ -- an extraordinary charity that
provides limbs for children. Next month, Ponce will begin working with the non-profit Little Kids Rock, http://littlekidsrock.org/, going into the schools to help inspire children with music.