erika may
Tucson, Arizona, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1990 | SELF
Music
Press
“Erika is not only a skilled musician, but an artist,” says Zoe Wolfe, a dancer who will be performing with Randolph. “Be prepared to be engaged. Her sound is unique, inspiring and satisfying,”
SILVER CITY – Local musician Erika May Randolph will perform at 1 p.m. Sunday at Yankie Creek Coffee House, 112 W. Yankie Street in Silver City.
“For this performance, I’ve decided to play all original songs,” says Randolph. A musician since childhood, Randolph keeps audiences entertained with her unique combination of vocals, flute and cello.
“I’ll debut several new songs which feature looping the cello, and improvising with the flute,” she says. “As an added feature, Eileen Sullivan will join me to play some Irish fiddle tunes in honor of St Patrick’s Day.”
“Sunday’s performance is very personal to me,” Randolph notes. “Rather than my usual lighthearted romp through jazz standards, this concert will concentrate on original songs. I will be debuting several new songs that haven’t been heard in public before, as well as songs from the artist-in-residence program I completed in Steelville, Missouri, which have not been performed in Silver City.”
Randolph has been a Silver City resident since 2005. “I first performed at the Twisted Vine in a jazz trio with Michele Parlee and Byron Trammel,” she says. “This trio performed every Sunday for about 9 months.”
“Erika is an adventurous and fun singer, songwriter and performer,” says musician Azaima Anderson. “Her audience can’t help but enjoy the ride. Her over-the-top vocals channel Blossom Dearie and other jazz greats. When she’s playing jazz standards, she chooses the best of the American songbook. When she plays originals, her subjects take you around the world and back.”
Randolph has released several recordings, including “Cat in a Hat,” “Scenes in Dreams” and “La Luna Ladina,” which features songs from Sephardic, Renaissance and medieval sources. She was an ACLU song competition finalist for the song “Borderland,” and received an honorable mention from the Independent Singer-Songwriter Association for “A Scene in Your Show.”
“Erika May is a very gifted singer and songwriter whose music is soulful in the most delightful and unexpected ways,” says Jennifer Stroehmann of Silver City. “She combines playfulness with off-beat jazziness in a way that brings ‘cool’ to a whole new level.”
“Erika is not only a skilled musician, but an artist,” says Zoe Wolfe, a dancer who will be performing with Randolph at 2:30 p.m. March 20 at the Lotus Center in Silver City. “Be prepared to be engaged. Her sound is unique, inspiring and satisfying,”
Using her training, degrees and experience to teach others, Randolph has been an adjunct instructor with the Western New Mexico University Music Department, and also taught music appreciation and served as a vocal coach. She currently provides private cello and flute instruction.
In addition to being a professional musician, Randolph is also a therapist. “Music took a back seat while completing my studies and consequently landing the position of therapist at El Refugio,” she says. Further information about Randolph’s therapeutic work is available at the HeartSong Therapy website, heartsongtherapy.com. - Silver City Sun News
Discography
Cat in a Hat ~ a romp through jazz standards and three jazz originals by erika may. She is accompanied by Dave Black , guitar, Farshid Soltanshahi, guitar, Willem Von Hombracht, bass, Paul DeMarinis, sax, Billy Engel, both engineer and slide guitar
Erika May and friends, Scenes in Dreams ~ a cd of all original songs by erika may accompanied by Dave Black , guitar, Farshid Soltanshahi, guitar, Willem Von Hombracht, bass, Paul DeMarinis, sax, Billy Engel, both engineer and slide guitar
Double Trouble ~ erika may performs origina songs composed by looping her cello, singing and adding flute improvisations.
La Luna Ladina ~ erika may takes you through the world singing Sephardic songs and Renaissance favorites accompanying herself on guitar
Photos
Bio
Jazzy Hippie Chick! erika may's fluid, sensuous and captivating voice has been compared to Norah Jones, Nico, Ricki Lee Jones, Blossom Dearie, and Susana Baca. Her songs are inspired by cool jazz, hot Spanish flavors, sinuous gypsy melodies, and fiery Middle-eastern rhythms.
erika may is a formally trained flautist and singer who performs in a variety of settings such as jazz combos as both a leader and a sideman, classical duets with piano or guitar, in Americana/pop groups, and as a singer-songwriter who has an eclectic mix of edgy and deep music flecked with jazz, folk and various world influences. Soaring, lyrical melodies and emotionally driven performance create a dynamic experience of jazz standards, original music, traditional Sephardic songs, and medieval/renaissance music.
Attended Webster University of St. Louis Mo. and studied Jazz Studies with Paul DeMarinis, Flute performance with Jan Gippo and Janice Smith of the St. Louis Symphony, Voice with Pat Mankowitz of the St Louis Symphony Chorus, and obtained a Bachelors of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Flute Performance May of 2001.
Obtained extensive knowledge of music theory, especially jazz theory, scoring and arranging, music history. I also studied with Robert Dick, the pre-eminent avant-guarde flutist of our time, and Betsy Feldman, contemporary classical flutist in addition to studies above.
Studied voice with Jackie Eckgren, at the Musick Institute of Oslo while living for a year in Norway.
Worked as a professional musician with various ensembles as both vocalist and flautist:
Performed Bach’s ‘Mass in B Minor’ with the St Louis Symphony Orchestra under Hans Vonk, and Goehr’s ‘Arrianna’ with the St. Louis Opera Theater directed by David Loebel.
Performed with various ensembles in St. Louis such as Rouged, as lead vocalist and flutist, Zambra, led by Rabbi James Stone Goodman The Speckled Band, an English country dance band, as a duo with classical guitarist Javier Padial, in the Tina Jones Trio, with Sepantha, a middle-eastern latin jazz band, regularly perform with Juliane Horvath in a classical flute piano duo, and many solo and sideman gigs.
Worked as an Adjunct instructor at WNMU Music Department as Choir Master, taught Music Appreciation and individual voice coaching.
Discography:
Cat in a Hat: erika may – vocals / flute, Dave Black – guitar, Willem von Hombracht – bass, Paul DeMarinis – saxophone. a romp of jazz songs including three original songs.
Erika May and Friends: erika may vocals / flute, Farshid Soltanshahi – guitar, Billy Engle – side guitar, a set of heartfelt original songs.
La Luna Ladina: erika may – vocals / guitar, lovely songs from the Sephardic tradition, medieval Spanish, and the Renaissance sung in Spanish, ladino, and Latin.
Press:
“erika may's tone is warm and rich, her improvisations wild and free. I've worked with her in contexts ranging from Baroque music to vintage dance, to jazz to street bands, and I truly believe she can sing and play anything and give it class" Paul Stamler, radio programmer KDHX, St. Louis
“Thank you for your singing and playing at my wedding, it was so special for me” – KH St. Louis
“Your music brings beauty and blesses our Christmas and Easter services” Santa Clara Catholic Church, Santa Clara NM
Honorable Mention - Independent Singer-Songwriter Association (ISSA) contest
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