Bio:

Download a free copy of Phyllis singing "Estate" featuring Howard Levy of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones by joining the email list below!





Phyllis Chapell performs a unique mix of originals, folk, jazz and international music, including songs in up to 12 languages from Brazil, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East ................................................................................................................... . . . . . I have performed in concert throughout the East Coast, the Midwest, in Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador and Europe........................................................................................ I am thrilled and honored to be included in the newly released book "The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide," written by Scott Yanow (writer for Down Beat, Jazz Times and AllMusicGuide) published by Hal Leonard. Available on Amazon.com. ....................................................................................... My debut solo CD, "World Songs" was released in 1999. One of the songs ("Soul in Flight") from this CD won 2nd place in the Cabaret/Torch Song category of the Just Plaln Folks Competition 2001. ................................................................................. I have released several CDs with my World Jazz ensemble SIORA (www.siorajazz.com), which I co-lead with long-time dear dear friend and partner, keyboardist/composer/arranger Dan Kleiman. Our latest CD, "Vis-a-Vis," garnered a 4-star rating by AllMusicGuide.com and has been played on national jazz radio throughout the U.S. and in Europe as well....................... My newest solo release (2008) is a wordless vocal journey called "Voice in Flight" -- no words, just scatted vocals and various types of accompaniment, ranging from solo guitar to an ensemble. This is a journey through various genres including contemporary jazz, classical, Celtic/Irish, Jewish/Middle Eastern, and Brazilian. .............................................................................................................................. These are the special thank-you's that I didn't have space for on my "Voice in Flight" CD insert: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to my fans, friends and family -- to my Mom and to my dear departed Dad -- to Marcos for his inspiration for this project (Marcos, this one was for you) -- to my dear partner Dan and to the other musicians who blessed me with their artistry (Ken Ulansey, Stan Slotter, Genie Walker, Jimmy Coleman, Jim Hamilton, and Rob Swanson). And to Daoud Shaw for his wisdom & expertise and for introducing me to Marie and Darla (I wanted to put up a photo of me with Darla, the St. Charles Cavalier spaniel, but she looked way better than me!) ---------------------------------- Abrazos (heartfelt embraces) for your input that helped me do this CD: Paul S. Adkins (vocal teacher and mentor who taught me to fly!), Genie Walker (you're the best--and you're so smart! and I love your new CD!), Sherry Somach (thank you for being such a good friend through thick and thin), Suzana Silva (blessed lady, thank you too for your friendship and support--and your tireless efforts to get us down to Bahia!), Dan Kleiman (your arrangements on this CD are awesome!), Ken Ulansey (Kenny, thank you for being there, my mentor, my friend!), my friend Richard Harner who is helping me through some tough times, Paul Jost (what an awesome talent you are, you constantly blow me away!), dear friends Judith Kay (blessings to you, Judith), Lester Hirsh (my troubadour friend!), Andrea Clearfield (welcome back from Nepal! you constantly amaze me!), Mici Juni (and you, back to school--you're so brave!), Heath Allen (Heath, thank you for all your charts and for all your generous help over the years!), Rick Nollet (great blues singer/guitarist and my friend!), Patricia & Orlando Haddad (my Minas friends!), Anne Sciolla (thanks for those vocal coaching sessions!), Susan Goodman-Jackson (you great salsa dancer and sax player, you!), Stephen DiJoseph (and you too! Thanks Stephen--Flem!--for your help with myspace!!!!), and Marcy Vaughn (you encouraged me to do this CD--muchly appreciated!), Stacia Friedman (great writer and lover of music and cats!) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And here's a thank-you for inspiration, support (musical and otherwise): Mom--what can I say--I love you, Iris & Jack Fields (thanks for being my dear brother/sister-in-law), Cathy Pallotti (you're a dear sister-in-law and friend!), to my new-found friend and muse, Skipper Kripitz (thanks for inviting me to Key West!), Barry Warhoftig (great guitarist and gypsy jazzer!), Peter Jensen and Terry O'Connor (thanks for introducing me to Pilates--it's very deep!), Boyd Holmes, Dave Cullen (you are so inspiring!), Michael London (how could you move away???), Katie West (and to PennPat for all your support over the years), Shawn Qaissaunee (love you, Q!), Janet Fishman (dear Francophile!), Amy Rose (from elementary school--wow!), Jim Dragoni (good luck with the Mose Allison show!), Jon Dichter, The Cynamon Family (my dear cousins Kay and David and Lynne, and Alex and Shep!), Anthony (Dad!), and Chris and family and Johnny Chapell, Cantor Jack Kessler (thank you Jack for your love and support), Vince Colella (thanks for making the websites look so nice!), Eileen and Mark Barbash (dear fans!), Jan and Jerry (my dear friends and fans who just got married, again! I love you both!), Marc Adler, Sharon Katz, Dane Richeson (Dane, you are an inspiration!), Jeffry Eckels (Jeffry, you too, and thanks for Ecuador!), Kit Thomas (thanks for all your advice!), Clay Jerolmack (a dear fan/friend!), Marcy Kraft (how are you out in LA?), Mike Frank (thanks for all the First Fridays!), Rich Rudin, Dave Posmontier (I love Pos!), Becky and Ted Jordan (I love you Becky and Ted), Melanie Rice, Norma Michaels, Mick Choder (thanks for helping me with my songs Mick!), Bruce Marshall (sweet man!), Denise Nejame (miss you Denise!), Brad Litwin (you're adorable Brad!), Marc Weinstein (thank you Mark for all your help!), Jeffrey Macel, Esq. (thank you Jeff), Beth Burak (thanks for the wonderful holiday gatherings, Beth and Steve!), Lisa Bregman (Lisa and I go wayyy back! Thanks Lisa for reaching out!), Kate Kimbel--my dear friend, so good to get back together with you!, Keith Brand and Chuck Elliott of WXPN (thank you for playing my CDs!), Nick Marrero--thanks so much for playing this CD and good luck with your new show!)....................................................................... Dan Kleiman and I are just about to release a CD of our own interpretations of songs from the Jewish repertoire, from Eastern Europe to Israel and the Middle East. We're very excited about this new project, called "Vision of the Dry Bones" -- we'll keep you all posted on developments. It should be out by fall 2009.

Member Since:

March 19, 2008

Influences:

Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Milton Nascimento, Joao Gilberto, Beatles, Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Bonnie Raitt, Shirley Horn, Frank Sinatra, Elis Regina, Gal Costa, Theodore Bikel, Caetano Veloso, Sting, Flora Purim, Barbra Streisand, Mel Torme, Shawn Colvin, Diana Krall, Joan Baez, and I'll keep adding on...

Sounds Like:

Joni Mitchell channeled through Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, Yaffa Yarkoni, Gal Costa, Simone, with a little Luciana Souza and Djavan mixed in. I'm told I sound a little like Julia Fordham, which is great--but I'd also love to sound like Bonnie Raitt and Dianne Reeves!

Record Label:

Illumination Records