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Barbara Sfraga

Barbara Sfraga is an artist who gathers no moss as she rolls through life, constantly evolving. Jazz Times said “She has never met a genre she didn't like or couldn't assimilate.” Described as “consistently inventive” (Billboard) and “jazz singing at its cutting edge best” (LA Times), she’s been on a musical journey that evolved from church organist to rock keyboardist to ‘voicist’. A classically trained vocalist, Barbara jumped ship to sing rock, pop, R&B and jazz. She throws all those influences into the pot to create and sing the music she feels with no boundaries, as evidenced in her recordings, “Oh, What a Thrill” (1999, Naxos Jazz), “Under the Moon” (2003, A440 Music Group) and the most current “Timelessness Frozen in Time” (2006, SyncTimiCity), a collective effort featuring keyboardist/vocalist Mala Waldron, bass artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan, soundrhythium Michael T.A. Thompson and multi-reedist Allen Won.

The ensemble changed its name to The Timelessness Project in 2008, to reflect the cohesiveness of the collective. “There really is no leader in this ensemble”, says Barbara. “Rather, the group is fueled by all five of us, as we all contribute to the writing and promotion of the project. It’s a real team effort, and I know it sounds cliché, but we really are a family. There’s some heavy-duty love up in here!”

THE NEXT STEP. The coalescence of Sfraga’s “journeyart”, the evocative photography of Sfraga, Thompson and Waldron and the original music of The Timelessness Project (some of which can be found on Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest’s 2006 recording, “Timelessness Frozen in Time”) materialized into the multi- media venture, “Timelessnessity”, which seamlessly blends the aural and visual dimensions of the group. The ensemble had a strikingly visual side from the onset. Fans are struck by the their enchanting signature sound, but also, the visual side of the group - how they interact - which is the visual component of the improvisational interplay that is ever present in their music. That, combined with the very organic jewelry some of the musicians sport (Sfraga is also a jewelry designer) set the scene for a natural blending of disciplines. Sfraga’s 2006 book, The Subway Series, A Book of Drawings Sprinkled With Words contains some of the artwork featured in “Timelessnessity”.

Additional projects Sfraga is actively working with which she plans to record with soon:

bassdrums’n’voicethang with Center Search Quest’s bass artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan and soundrhythium Michael T.A. Thompson, a no-chords trio in which the players transcend their instruments, exploring sounds and silence.

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295
Album Review

Barbara Sfraga: Timelessness Frozen In Time

Read "Timelessness Frozen In Time" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


New York-based jazz singer Barbara Sfraga is not afraid to take musical steps forward (or sideways) and that shows fully on Timelessness Frozen in Time. Previous albums Oh, What A Thrill( ( Naxos, 1998) and Under The Moon (A440, 2003) have exhibited Sfraga's ability to at least partially deconstruct the Great American Songbook and provide a sprinkling of originals. On this new effort, Sfraga has composed all but one of the tunes.

The sole non-Sfraga composition typifies the ...

393
Interview

Barbara Sfraga at IAJE

Read "Barbara Sfraga at IAJE" reviewed by Franz A. Matzner


With her recent release, Under The Moon, singer/songwriter Barbara Sfraga has proven herself one of jazz’s foremost vocalists. More than willing to step away from standard arrangements and approach multiple genres, Sfraga is not only a talented performer, she’s an innovative arranger.

Catching up with Ms. Sfraga at this year’s International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) conference, it was my privilege to speak with her for a few moments about her album, approach to writing, and of course, jazz education. ...

149
Album Review

Barbara Sfraga: Under The Moon

Read "Under The Moon" reviewed by Jim Santella


Her teachers early on included Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Sal Mosca, Janet Lawson, and Jay Clayton. No wonder she’s so unique.

Barbara Sfraga is relatively new on the scene. The vocalist began leading her own band in 1990. Under The Moon is her second album. She proved on What A Thrill (Naxos) that her spontaneous and eclectic approach to jazz would draw from traditional blues roots as well as from more creative directions.

With her ...

301
Nite & Disk

SFRAGMENTS:* Notes on Barbara Sfraga's CD Party/Love-In

Read "SFRAGMENTS:* Notes on Barbara Sfraga's CD Party/Love-In" reviewed by Dr. Judith Schlesinger


One of the primo advantages of living near New York Cityï"aside from having a front seat at the Rudy and Hillary showï"is the infinite range of jazz venues. I've climbed up to the boxes in Carnegie Hall and the nosebleed seats at the Y, and down the vertical steps to the underground Village Vanguard. I've been knee-to-knee with stone-faced tourists in the Blue Note (aka the C Note, in honor of its cover charges), where they arguably serve the worst ...

156
Album Review

Barbara Sfraga: Under the Moon

Read "Under the Moon" reviewed by Elliott Simon


Singer Barbara Sfraga's sophomore effort draws from the artist's strength: retooling well-worn classics into lean arrangements that highlight her mastery of phrasing and rhythm. Although guitarist John McLean adds a bit of spice to several cuts, Sfraga is most at home riffing off her rhythm section that includes drummer Paul Wertico, percussionist Kevin Patrick and bassist Chris Sullivan. It is Sullivan whom Sfraga plays off best and the two have a keen insight into each other's style. ...

211
Extended Analysis

Barbara Sfraga: Under The Moon

Read "Barbara Sfraga: Under The Moon" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Barbara Sfraga is one of those rare artists who is developing her own voice and style more and more with each recording. Her vocals contain elements of two of my favorite vocalists: Mark Murphy and Kitty Margolis. She is a risk taker that has established her own group sound on this new release. Each member of the ensemble has an individual voice, but together every players contributes to the whole vision that Sfraga has fashioned, or envisioned (perhaps both). One ...

131
Album Review

Barbara Sfraga: Under the Moon

Read "Under the Moon" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


I first encountered Barbara Sfraga on Oh, What a Thrill (Naxos Jazz), where I reflected upon the singer's remarkably broad-ranging, sensual, evocative voice. Under the Moon does not change that impression at all. Sfraga was more than bold on Oh, What a Thrill by coupling “Angel Eyes" with “Sunshine of Your Love." She has nothing so bold in her repertoire here, but her vocals remain fresh and exciting. Ms Sfraga is no newcomer, but her new album shows her more ...

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100

Performance / Tour

"Bassbass'n'voicethang" with Special Guest Andrea Wolper

"Bassbass'n'voicethang" with Special Guest Andrea Wolper

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

WHAT: Golda Solomon's Po' Jazz... bassbass'n'voicethang

WHO: Barbara Sfraga, vox Christopher Dean Sullivan, bass Ken Filiano, bass and special guest poet/vocalist Andrea Wolper

WHERE: Cornelia Street Cafe

WHEN: Thursday, August 21st 6:00 pm & 7:00 pm sets

Another chapter in the exploration of the openness of sound, the bassdrums'n'voicethang (with voicist Barbara Sfraga, bass artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan and soundrhythium Michael T.A. ...

109

Interview

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest Tune in Live to Hear Radio Interview KRML, July 11th

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest Tune in Live to Hear Radio Interview KRML, July 11th

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Tune in live to hear radio interview KRML, July 11th...full info below... L.A. TIMES (CRITIC'S CHOICE, Sunday, July 9th edition) ...Always eager to bring new life to the most familiar songs, Sfraga has gotten together with the gifted quartet Center Search Quest to develop new material in a style eclectic enough to combine elements of cutting-edge improvisation with R&B-tinged rhythms. ~ Don Heckman BRICK'S PICKS (this week in LA Weekly) Timelessness Frozen in Time, is a funkier, groovier concoction... Still, ...

70

Performance / Tour

CA Tour Dates: Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest: The Timelessness Project, July 12th - 15th

CA Tour Dates: Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest: The Timelessness Project, July 12th - 15th

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

CALIFORNIA TOUR DATES for... Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest: The Timelessness Project World Jazz with a Twist Voicist Barbara Sfraga Keyboardist/Pianist/Vocalist Mala Waldron Bass Artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan Soundrhythium/Vocalist Michael T.A. Thompson @ La Ve Lee 12514 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA Reservations: 818.980.8158 Thursday, July 12th Sets: 8:30 PM & 10:30 PM $10. cover @ KRML's Jazz & ...

127

Performance / Tour

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ + Mala Waldron Group perform during IAJE, Friday, Jan. 12th

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ + Mala Waldron Group perform during IAJE, Friday, Jan. 12th

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest and Mala Waldron Group will be performing in NYC during the 2007 IAJE Conference Both groups are available for concerts, clinics and festivals. For more information, see EPK and websites below.

Enzo Capua presents Enzo's Jazz at The Jolly Hotel Madison Towers 22 East 38th Street (at Madison Avenue) in the Whaler Bar (complimentary antipasto) FREE ADMISSION WITH IAJE CONFERENCE CREDENTIALS

Friday, January 12th (IAJE Week) ...

73

Performance / Tour

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest at Jazz Standard, Monday, October 9

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest at Jazz Standard, Monday, October 9

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest - FULL QUINTET

Barbara Sfraga, Christopher Dean Sullivan, Michael T.A. Thompson, Mala Waldron & Allen Won Monday, October 9th, 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM sets @ The Jazz Standard 116 East 27th Street Reservations: 212-576-2232 CD Release Performance for Timelessness Frozen in Time as well as Barbara's book :The Subway Series: a Book of Drawings Sprinkled with Words" “Sfraga and Center Search ...

86

Performance / Tour

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola Wednesday 9/20

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola Wednesday 9/20

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Wednesday Sept. 20, 2006 11:00 PM set Women in Jazz Festival ~ JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER DIZZY's CLUB COCA COLA www.jalc.org/dccc/women_in_jazz.html 33 West 60th Street, New York NY presents...

Barbara Sfraga bassdrums'n'voicethang with Christopher Dean Sullivan Center Search Quest Michael T.A. Thompson

And please save the date... Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest - FULL QUINTET Barbara Sfraga, ...

79

Performance / Tour

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ's upcoming NYC dates/release for "Timelessness Frozen in Time", Street Date Sept. 5

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ's upcoming NYC dates/release for "Timelessness Frozen in Time", Street Date Sept. 5

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest CD Release for Timelessness Frozen in Time (Street Date: September 5) & Book Release for Barbara Sfraga's Book of Drawings “The Subway Series"

Upcoming NYC dates:

Sat., Sept. 2 1:00 PM 1 set @ TOWER RECORDS - LINCOLN CENTER (in the jazz section)

Wed., Sept. 20 11:00 for the Diet Coke Women in Jazz Festival/Jazz @ Lincoln Center

Thu., Sept. 14 7:00 ...

69

Performance / Tour

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest CD/Book Release Thu., June 22, @ Makor

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest CD/Book Release Thu., June 22, @ Makor

Source: All About Jazz

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest Pre-CD Release for Timelessness Frozen in Time & Book Release for Barbara Sfraga's: Book of Drawings The Subway Series: A Book of Drawings Sprinkled With Words Thursday, June 22nd, 7:30 Set at Makor 35 West 67 Street Reservations: 212-601-1000 Barbara Sfraga and Center Search Quest will be celebrating the upcoming release of their latest CD, Timelessness Frozen in Time (Street ...

91

Performance / Tour

CD/Book Release: Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest, @ Makor-NYC, Thu., June 22nd

CD/Book Release: Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest, @ Makor-NYC, Thu., June 22nd

Source: All About Jazz

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest Pre-CD Release for Timelessness Frozen in Time and Book Release for Barbara Sfraga's Book of Drawings The Subway Series: A Book of Drawings Sprinkled With Words Thursday, June 22nd at Makor

Barbara Sfraga and Center Search Quest will be celebrating the upcoming release of their latest CD Timelessness Frozen in Time (Street Date September 5, 2006), as well as Barbara Sfraga's book The Subway Series: A Book of ...

105

Performance / Tour

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ, Fri., 4/7 @ Enzo's Jazz @ The Jolly Hotel 8:30 PM & 10:30 sets

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ, Fri., 4/7 @ Enzo's Jazz @ The Jolly Hotel 8:30 PM & 10:30 sets

Source: All About Jazz

@ Enzo's Jazz at The Jolly Hotel Madison Towers 22 East 38th Street (at Madison Avenue) 212.802.0600 $15. cover charge, 1 drink min. Friday, April 7th 8:30 PM & 10:30 sets Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest Voicist Barbara Sfraga featuring CSQ's Bass Artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan and Soundrhythium Michael T.A. Thompson with Keyboardist/Pianist/Vocalist Mala Waldron and Multi-Reedist Allen Won http://www.barbarasfraga.com This is jazz singing at ...

(Preview) The singer likes to call herself a voicist -- presumably Sfraga's way to invest her vocals with an instrumental perspective (a ala saxophonist). But the truth is that she really doesn't have to do anything other than allow her inventive singing to speak for itself. Always eager to bring new life to the most familiar songs, Sfraga has gotten together with the gifted quartet Center Search Quest to develop new material in a style eclectic enough to combine elements of cutting-edge improvisation with R&B- tinged rhythms. - Don Heckman Los Angeles Times, Critics Choice

(Preview) And at La Ve Lee it’s the amazing NYC vocalist Barbara Sfraga and Center Search. Sfraga’s latest, Timelessness Frozen in Time, is a funkier, groovier concoction than her earlier stuff. Still, the opening tune, hook laden and suffused with a Flora Purim feel, extends for a non-radio-friendly 10 minutes. And aside from a terrific take on the Rufus classic “Tell Me Something Good,” the rest of the tunes are just as stretched and spacy. Expect some wildly inventive singing and plenty of improv workouts even if the newer material is distinctly less radical than before. Just wait until she slides into Cole Porter or Dylan. The lady’s a trip, in a vocal field where trippiness is nearly nonexistent. Good band too. Even if she calls her bass player a “bass artisan” and drummer a “soundrhythmist.” - Bricks Picks: The Surreal Thing Tasty Jams for Summer Nights By Brick Wahl, LA Weekly

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Primary Instrument

Vocals

Credentials/Background

Barbara Sfraga offers One-on-One BUSINESS of MUSIC CONSULTATIONS for ALL ARTISTS

Includes:

Developing a 1-5 Year Plan

The Press Kit

Gig Hunting

Tour Booking

Conference Preparation and Follow-up

and much more...

(@ NYC Studio, or by phone). 212-426-9518. $70./hour.

EMAIL for full menu of offerings, plus Musician's Testimonials

Clinic/Workshop Information

Sample list of Clinics/Seminars

EMAIL for menu of offerings and full descriptions

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