Phyllis Chapell (vocals guitar), Dan Kleiman (keyboards). Bass: Rob Swanson, Steve Beskrone, Jeff Eckels. Drums and percussion: Paul Jost (and vocals), Butch Reed, Francois Zayas, Dane Richeson, Jimmy Coleman, Ted Thomas, Steve Holloway, Raphael Cruz. Guest artists include: Howard Levy (harmonica, wood flutes), Ralph Bowen (saxes, flute), Greg Riley (saxes, flute), Marc Adler (flutes), John Swana (trumpet).
Influences
Trio Globo, Dave Douglas, Bela Bartok, Tania Maria, Joni Mitchell, Bela Fleck, Pat Metheny,
Yellowjackets, Chick Corea, Airto, Herbie Hancock, Jonatha Brooke, Sting, Richard Bona, Nando Lauria, Eliane Elias, Brad Meldau, Klezmatics
Download a free copy of SIORA's version of "Estate" featuring Howard Levy of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones by joining the email list below!
Contemporary world jazz is how the Philadelphia-based band SIORA describes its music. What that means is a vocalist who sings in 12 languages and a composer/keyboardist whose love for different musical traditions grew out of his post-graduate studies with third stream pianist/educator Ran Blake. And it means what it says: a borderless melange of world musical influences --Brazilian. Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern, European--shaken and stirred with all-American jazz.
"We struggled with being all over the map, and then we embraced it!" says Dan Kleiman, keyboardist and founding member along with singer Phyllis Chapell. "We had people advising us, 'You should do just one thing.' But finding a person who sings in so many languages gave me an excuse to be all over the place stylistically and have a unified concept at the same time. Our music, wherever it comes from, passes through the prism of jazz, allowing us the freedom to navigate--to cross musical borders."
SIORA plays contemporary world jazz: a blend of music from Latin/South America, Europe,the Middle East, and the U.S. (including American jazz and popular music), all with their own unique arrangements--as well as original compositions.
SIORA has been joined on recordings and in concert by Howard Levy (Bela Fleck, Trio Globo), Ralph Bowen (Michel Camilo), Grammy-winners Dave Valentin and Raphael Cruz, plus local phenoms John Swana and Marc Adler, among others. Their live performing ensemble is rounded out by Rob Swanson (who has played with Giacomo Gates and the Clifford Brown & Stan Getz All Stars), Paul Jost on drums and vocals (4-category Billboard Song Contest Winner, who has played with Billy Eckstine, Mark Murphy, Ann Hampton-Calloway), and master drummer/percussionist Cuban-born Francois Zayas.
SIORA has released 3 CDs --their CD "Vis-á-Vis" received a 4 star rating by Scott Yanow (Downbeat, Jazz Times, All Music Guide) who has also included Chapell in his new book on the top 521 jazz singers of all time, "The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide", published by Hal Leonard. In 2009, they released a Jewish Jazz Project called "Vision of the Dry Bones" which is receiving rave reviews.
Sounds Roots (Spin the Globe) says that SIORA has a "...special chemistry that makes this modern genre-bending music deeply satisfying and highly recommended."
"Blending world music and contemporary jazz into a soundscape that needs no translation, SIORA takes you on a journey of the soul, touching down in Rio, Paris, Mazer-e-Sharif and points beyond." (William Page, Straight No Chaser, UK).
"SIORA Live at Sunset Jazz Series on Camden-Philly Waterfront"
Hey Chooch! I talked with Michael Leas tonight. I don't know what to say. I would love to see you (and do some playing!). I hope you are ok. I'm thinking of you. Love you man! bd
Hello Dan, How are you? Appreciate the friend add...I can't seem to find the time to stay on top of all this but I'm trying!?! WCU Jazz Festival was a success and now working on a solo project. Let me know what's new and hope our paths cross again soon. Ciao for now, Peter P.
