Kiki Ebsen's Joni Mitchell Project Presents THE ULTIMATE JONI BIRTHDAY BASH at Vitello's Upstairs, 11/4
By: A.A. Cristi Oct. 07, 2016
On Friday, November 4, classic song stylist and songwriter Kiki Ebsen presents her Joni Mitchell Project (TM) as they return to Vitello's Upstairs in Studio City.
The evening's theme is "The Ultimate Joni Birthday Blast!" including a full evening of salute to the singer-songwriter through her music and audience celebration, including a custom birthday cake recognizing Joni's birthday month (the singer celebrates her birthday on November 7th).
Following September's sold-out debut of her Joni Mitchell Project, Ebsen was invited back to the popular cabaret site, The E-Spot at Vitello's Upstairs. The evening of Friday, November 4, was chosen as the weekend closest to Joni's November 7th birthday. The Canadian singer-songwriter and artist was born in in Fort MacLeod, Alberta. In the past five decades, she has amassed an unparalleled following who name her as among the most influential musicians in their lives.
Kiki Ebsen created The Joni Mitchell Project(TM) as an opportunity for Joni-inspired professional musicians to join her in declaring "our respect, regard, and unending appreciation for her gifts." The two-set show includes "Night in the City," "Twisted," "Help Me," "In France They Kiss on Main Street," plus "Black Crow," "Case of You," "Two Grey Rooms" "River," "Carey" and so many more songs from nine of Joni's albums spanning 1968-1976. Audiences will enjoy the strong jazz influence of the evening's offerings, ala Joni's "Shadows and Light" live concert.
Joining Ebsen are Grant Geissman (guitar), Terry Wollman (guitar), Steven Lawrence (bass), and Matt Starr (drums). To formally introduce her Joni tribute project, Kiki chose Vitello's Upstairs as an intimate venue for friends and fans of Joni Mitchell to enJoy Songs ranging from her most familiar FM radio hits as well as many of her most intellectual, soulful album cuts that are best known to lifelong fans who cherish and curate their copies of her full discography.
In 1968, Kiki Ebsen discovered the magic of Joni Mitchell on "Song to a Seagull." With each subsequent release including "Clouds," "Ladies of the Canyon," and onto "Blue," Kiki discovered the magic of Mitchell's brilliant lyrics, amazing arrangements, and solid song stylings, each new album giving greater insight into Joni's artistry.
Simply after hearing "Michael from Mountains" was enough to inspire preteen Kiki want to follow her dreams. Says Ebsen, "Joni Mitchell has influenced my career in a way that no other singer-songwriter ever could. My experience is not unique; ask any touring musician who they most admire among singer-songwriters. Invariably, 'Joni Mitchell' is their answer."
Says Ebsen, "Joni Mitchell is a brave and fearless explorer of the heart and soul. Her music continues to inspire others. My lifelong appreciation of her creative gifts and performing talents was the impetus for creating my Joni Mitchell Project."
For more information on Kiki Ebsen's Joni Mitchell Project, visit http://kikiebsen.com/the-joni-mitchell-project.
Vitello's Upstairs (The E-Spot) is located at 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, CA 91604. Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 each (2 item minimum). Call (818) 769-0905 or order tickets online here.
About the Musicians in Kiki Ebsen Presents The Joni Mitchell Project(TM)
Kiki Ebsen
Kiki is a sultry jazz and pop singer-songwriter who was born to perform on stage. Whether offering up her own originals, jazz standards or inspired covers, she delivers beautiful authenticity to every song.
Ebsen began her career 20 years ago as an international touring musician and backing vocalist, supporting multiple Grammy winners including Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Al Jarreau, James Ingram, Chicago, Jeffrey Osborne and Christopher Cross. The award-winning singer-songwriter released 5 acclaimed albums of original songs before envisioning "Scarecrow Sessions" (Painted Pony Media), which Kiki recorded as a tribute to her father, with jazz arrangements by David Mann (who also produced the album).
From "Scarecrow Sessions," Kiki and her brother, award-winning film editor, Dustin Ebsen created "To Dad with Love, a Tribute to Buddy EbsenTM," a multimedia show with Kiki sharing memories of growing up in a Hollywood family. Stories are interspersed between prime jazz songs Kiki sings, backed by Perry LaMarca (Musical Director, keyboards), Kendall Kay (drums), Granville (Danny) Young (bass), and George Shelby (woodwinds).
In addition to Kiki's Joni Mitchell Project and "To Dad with Love," she also tours with "Hollywood Memories and More," an evening of straight-ahead jazz songs that include highlights from "Scarecrow Sessions" as well as other jazz standards. Her fourth show, "Kiki Ebsen: Solo, Duo, Trio,..." offers audiences to hear Kiki's original tunes from her first five CDs as well as her own inspired versions of favorite songs.
Steve Wagner of "American Songwriter" says of her talents that Kiki is "a world-class songwriter-performer-with a polished vocal style and songs of substance." Whether offering up her own originals, jazz standards or inspired covers, she delivers beautiful authenticity to every song.
Grant Geissman
The talents and gifts of guitarist Grant Geissman are as diverse as The Many (many, many) guitars he owns and loves. Recently an interviewer from Vintage Guitar magazine caught up with him and was blown away by his guitar collection, ranging from his first, a '65 Stella (from Sears) that his grandfather (who played banjo) purchased for Grant "so they could play together" all the way to Epiphones, a '64 Rickenbacker, a '79 Les Paul Custom, the '68 Gibson L-5 that he used on "Feels So Good," and ultimately, the blonde Gibson 335 he uses in concert, as just a few of his favorites.
Geissman's impact as a musician spans multiple genres in which his talent shines, whether performing, arranging, or composing. The versatile Emmy-nominated composer and guitarist is inspired by great music, from The Beatles (a favorite) to jazz to classical, to straight-ahead rock. Early in his formal studies, Grant had the chance to play in Louie Bellson's band, and later in Gerald Wilson's big band. He refers to those opportunities as "super learning experiences." His extensive career since the early days includes recording with Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Elvis Costello, David Benoit, Placido Domingo, and Julio Iglesias.
His discography of solo albums (at last count it was 14) has just a few of his friends playing along with him as special guests, like Chick Corea, Chuck Mangione, Tom Scott, Mike Finnigan, and Patrice Rushen. He writes, arranges, plays, lives and breathes music, modest and humbly happy to be following his first and only choice of profession for his entire career to date. His latest CD, "Bop! Bang! Boom!" features Grant, Tom Scott, Larry Carlton, Albert Lee, Russell Ferrante, Mike Finnegan, Leland Sklar and Van Dyke Parks. For more about Grant visit www.grantgeissman.com
The Joni Mitchell Project is a great opportunity to showcase Geissman's vast talents on an extensive repertoire, as the set list includes songs from 9 of Mitchell's albums released between 1968-1976.Part of the charm in the diversity of Joni's music-for artists whom she inspired and continues to-is the freedom to interpret and deconstruct songs, to make them your own, something that Kiki Ebsen and colleagues enjoy, as they place their own musical imprimatur on them.
Thus, Grant is free to find his own way to play the complex and magical notes and rhythms so familiar to audiences who fell in love with Joni's songs on FM radio before they could hear her in concert. His innovation and expertise in playing any song he wants to play finds Grant in a category without peer. As modest as he is talented, Grant is a most generous team player in every session. Geissman is also a published author and is regarded as one of the most creative and acclaimed artists in the industry today.
Ebsen said, "Chances are good that just as Grant is already recognized for his exhilarating guitar work on "Feels So Good," and even as he may be known by the encapsulated charm of his "Two and a Half Men" Theme (co-written by Geissman, Lee Aronsohn, & Chuck Lorre)-you're going to want to hear his take on "In France They Kiss on Main Street." Grant Geissman is indeed a dynamic strength in my JoniMitchellProject." For more on Grant, visit his web site at www.grantgeissman.com
A guitarist who defies simple description, Terry Wollman is a master of many musical gifts, from playing to composition, arranging and producing. He's been a musical director before and most recently he co-produced "You Gotta Love the Life," for Melissa Manchester (2015), her first studio album in a decade. Wollman has generated quite a buzz across LA internet source EnterTalkRadio by landing some premiere interviews with music colleagues on his show, "Making It with Terry Wollman."
As a popular first-call guitarist, you'll find his credits as expected-simply stellar. His recorded performances include: "Billy Preston, The 5th Dimension, Wilson Phillips, Al Jarreau, Joe Walsh, Keb' Mo', Gerald Albright and more." The great Joe Sample was a featured artist on Terry's first two CDs, "Bimini" and "Say Yes" among other jazz icons on the star-studded lineup.
Terry's web site is filled with the most fascinating photos of his performances, including his performances on jazz cruises where he literally has met everyone on board before the end of the cruise and they know and love his music after every nautical mile they travel together; check his passport for well-worn pages!
On "A Joyful Noise," Terry's Christmas album, it's a poignant favorite as it includes collaboration with dear friends, the late Ricky Lawson, Abraham Laboriel, Sr., Wally Minko, and Lenny Castro-that's an original Christmas offering guaranteed you'll want to add to your collection. Melanie Taylor, Melissa Manchester, and Eric Marienthal are just three more tremendous artists you'll find on that album as well.
Likely his most popular CD to date is "Silver Collection-The Very Best of Terry Wollman," a compilation of 25 years of recordings with artists including Joe Sample, Abraham Laboriel, Michael McDonald, John Robinson, the late Ricky Lawson, Keb' Mo' and Gerald Albright among many others. Thus far in 2016, Terry has played the music of Joni Mitchell with Kiki Ebsen in five concert settings and is a dynamic, joyful player on her Joni Mitchell Project (TM).
Steven Lawrence
Steven Lawrence has been nicknamed the musician with "The Red Hot Bass," and there is no more fitting moniker to describe his understated, yet exacting, brilliance in his gentle driving of the flows in and out of the music of iconic Joni Mitchell.
Classic rock is just one of Steve's bass specialties, as he's toured with the 5th Dimension and he was a member of the country/gospel band, Brush Arbor. Steve's well versed in religious music and has been invited to play on many Christian CDs and has performed in numerous church bands for many years. Lawrence is so versatile he defies categorization; Steve played bass on the soundtrack for the movie "Goodfellas," plus he's composed music for some daytime dramas as well.
Steve also enjoyed playing with Ralph Carmichael's big band for many years, and is just as happy playing 1940s and 1950s music as he is playing Joni Mitchell's music. His solo CD, Steven Lawrence and Friends: "Joy of My Life" features outstanding arrangements of worship songs favored by two generations of music lovers. You can find Steven Lawrence on Facebook here.
Like Kiki, Steve is from a talented entertainment family; his dad, Douglas, was a concert/opera singer who enjoyed a long career as a leader of church music, occasionally taking a vocal gig outside the church (e.g., singing on an episode of "The Simpsons" into the middle of his classical or church schedule). His mother, Darlene Lawrence, also had a distinguished career as a "published composer/arranger, and as a studio singer in film, television and in the recording industry."
Lawrence's first exposure to Joni Mitchell's music came through hearing her on the radio, at the time, favoring "Court and Spark" and "Heijeira." Once "Shadows and Light" arrived, no doubt Jaco Pastorius' bass was an inspiration to buy the album, and "Wild Things Run Fast" was another favorite album. Of Mitchell, Steve says, "To me, she is one of the best marriages of true poetry and intelligent musical content."
Kiki says of Lawrence, "Steve has long been described as unique for playing '$30 chords' on his bass, but reality is that his talents are superb. His ability to listen to every player on stage and play in the pocket is truly premier. He's modest about his gifts and is such an asset to this project." Continuing, Ebsen says, "As is the case with Matt Starr, the music industry happens to have two musicians named Steve Lawrence (the other being Eydie's Steve, of course), but you can hear 'our Steve Lawrence' with our Joni Mitchell ProjectTM on Nov. 4 at Vitello's Upstairs."
Matt Starr
When Matt Starr plays the drums, he's not just keeping time. To him, it's all about the groove and putting his own unique stamp on the music, delivering solid backing and great feel to those he's playing with.
He's also carrying forth the teachings and techniques of drum legends Joe Morello and Jim Chapin, long-time mentors who have entrusted Matt with their legacies. Born in Toronto, Canada, Matt started playing music at the tender age of five when his parents insisted he study the violin.
At 13, he fell in love with the music of The Beatles and drummer Ringo Starr, prompting him to take up the drums. Primarily self-taught until the end of high school, he went on to study privately with Toronto drummer Vito Rezza who instilled in Matt the importance of maintaining his identity as an artist.
Around this time, Matt began his formal jazz education at the University of Toronto, but felt constrained by the program's strict stylistic parameters and teaching methods. In search of inspiration, he traveled to New Jersey and began a formative mentorship at the feet of jazz legend Joe Morello, best known for the drum solo on Dave Brubeck's Take 5.
Matt continued to make regular pilgrimages to visit Joe until his passing, soaking up everything he could from the drumming icon. "Of all the people who have studied my technique," Joe once told Matt, "I can't think of anybody who understands it better than you."
Next, Matt moved to Los Angeles to take his career to the next level. He has divided his time playing and recording in the jazz and pop/rock worlds and has also been producing music in his own studio.
He has accompanied artists such as Christopher Cross, Alphonso Johnson, Lucy Hale, Rita Wilson, Shawn Jones, Classic Albums Live, Kiki Ebsen, Kevyn Lettau, D. Booker, Lily Wilson, Sara Lovell and Dan Carlson.
"Matt is an an extremely intuitive musician who seems to read my mind when we perform together," Ebsen says. "No matter what the song is, whether he's heard it before or not, he nails it every time with the right feel and vibe."
Matt, who endorses DW Drums, Vic Firth Sticks, Aquarian Drumheads, Zildjian cymbals, and Beato Bags, has done live dates in the U.S. and South America with prominent Latin artists such as Aleks Syntek, Pablo Montero and Pamela Cortes.
He's also played jazz and instrumental music with John Daversa, Jeff Richman, The Andrew Campbell Network, Brad Rabuchin, Bill Reichenbach, Billy Mitchell and Russell Ferrante.
"I love working with Matt because he's the consummate team player," says Ferrante, a keyboardist and founding member of Grammy-award winning group The Yellowjackets. "We share the same goal: make the music sound great."
"Matt is an extremely versatile drummer with great time and feel," adds Richman, an LA-based session guitarist and producer who has toured with Matt.
"I have found him to be a professional in every situation. The best thing about him is that he always contributes creativity and originality as well as being positive and uplifting."
Matt has also had the opportunity to accompany jazz artists like Mike Stern, John Scofield and Oz Noy in concert/clinic situations. In the mid-2000s, Matt established a mentorship with the late Jim Chapin.
As with Joe Morello, Matt would pay regular visits to Chapin at his Florida home, absorbing the teachings of this drumming legend, the Moeller technique in particular. Matt has taken what he's learned from Morello and Chapin and used it to form the basis of his own voice, a unique blend of style and sound for a new generation.
Before he died in 2009, Chapin left Matt with simple but poignant instructions: "Pass it on." No doubt he will. (See more at http://www.therealmattstarr.com/)
Says Ebsen, "Matt Starr has played in concert with me for years and he's been an integral part of many of my solo CDs as a singer-songwriter. I value his talents, his instincts, and his understanding of me as a songwriter. He always knows exactly what to bring to each song; I continue to treasure our collaborations."
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