TONI JANNOTTA
NEWS

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  Cd Review: Toni Janotta – Is It Magic?
  (Airie Records. CD Review by Sarah Ellen Hughes)

  Toni Janotta, a jazz singer based in Ventura County, California, has three vocal jazz albums to her name. The third – Is It Magic? – combines a few straight-ahead jazz tunes with a selection of contemporary hits and original compositions.

  Opening with a beautifully understated Is It Magic?, we immediately get a sense of Jannotta’s capabilities as both singer and as musician from her impressive range and wonderful phrasing. Jannotta is also a composer, as this is one of eight originals on the album. The vocals and the band complement each other here, showing sympathy for each other's input, while proving consistently that they are skilled individuals.

  There are some quirky moments – a cover of Madonna’s Borderline is an interesting idea and I really like the band’s groove, although I feel the vocals are a little rigid and rhythmic which doesn’t quite seem to work with the band’s lyrical and relaxed feel.

  The band really impresses on Take Five and, with Jannotta singing Iola Brubeck’s lyric, we can appreciate her perfectly placed soprano range. I’m particularly impressed by the saxophone playing of Scheila Gonzalez – both virtuosic and complimentary to the vocal line in equal measure. In general, the production of the CD has captured a great ‘live’ vibe, which is no easy feat in a studio.

  Jannotta’s writing offers an interesting perspective – this is not an album of your usual “my heart’s broken” type of songs; rather a take on Jannotta’s experience through the world of people and places. Pluto and Narcissus & Echo are two particularly interesting tracks. The vocals in Ventura are packed full of expression, and the quirky Opposites Attract has a light and clever lyric. I love the lush chords and mood of Storm’s a Comin’, and pianist Greg Gordon Smith shines throughout with an authoritative tone.

  One can hear the influence of pop artists such as Sting on this singer’s writing, and this is re-iterated with a cover of Sting’s Fragile, in a mesmerising 6/4.

  The album closes with a wonderful piano and bass feature called Ruthie’s Themes. There’s no singing on this track, which is an interesting way to end a vocal jazz album, but it reminds us of Jannotta’s elegance as a composer and obvious mutual respect amongst the musicians involved in making this CD.
  
  
  
  

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  Toni Jannotta and Nigel Taylor Interviewed by Frank Malle
  For this segment of Our Ventura, Frank Malle interviews jazz vocalist, Toni Jannotta, and guitarist, Nigel Taylor. Toni and Nigel perform “Is It Magic?” Additionally, they discuss jazz history and jazz aesthetics and Toni talks about her award as Grant Recipient for Ventura County Arts Council’s “Artist in the Community Partnership Grant,” which honors and supports her “Voices of the Homeless” jazz performance project.
       In addition to her talents as a jazz vocalist, Toni is also a lyricist, composer and vocal instructor.
       Nigel is a popular area musician who is fluent in many musical genres and has a particular passion for jazz.

  
  
  

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  The Ventura Improv Company, with Tom Mueller
  What are the basic principles of Improv? For this segment of Our Ventura, host Toni Jannotta interviews Tom Mueller to find out.

  
  
  

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  Ventura County Color Gardens, with John Wilner
  For this segment of Our Ventura, host Toni Jannotta interviews John Wilner about Ventura county COLOR Gardens. COLOR is a gay-straight alliance whose mission is to build and serve a community in which all people have the liberty to dream and the opportunity to realize their dreams while earning and maintaining respect. COLOR is an abbreviation for "Community Organized for Liberty Opportunity & Respect." The COLOR Gardens mission is to teach about sustainable, organic gardening while building community, beautifying downtown Ventura and furthering the mission of COLOR by growing produce for local food pantries.

  
  

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  Cheri Kurman Discusses Grey Matters with Toni Jannotta
  For this segment of Our Ventura, Toni Jannotta interviews Cheri Kurman about caring for aging relatives in this segment of Our Ventura. Cheri Kurman is an Estate Planning Attorney and host of radio program, Grey Matters. She educates people on caring for elderly, including advising family and friends to not let their parents and relatives become “chemically restrained” by way of drugs, which has become a common practice within institutions.

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  Overcoming Life Challenges When Everything Hits You At Once
  For this segment of Our Ventura, Shannon Farrell speaks with Toni Jannotta about overcoming life challenges. Shannon experienced several in a relatively short amount of time. She became pregnant and single, experienced a family death, lost her job and relocated to a new home. It was tough and stressful. But in the end, she became more confident and self-reliant in life. View this video for some of the resources and insights that helped her.

  
  
  

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