SIORA
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SIORA

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Press


"Re: Dan Kleiman of SIORA"

Kleiman plays exceptionally well...with digital virtuosity and perpetual creativity..." (Howard Reich) - Chicago Tribune


"Scott Yanow's Review"

SIORA is a quintet featuring the beautiful voice of Phyllis Chapell and the keyboards of Dan Kleiman (who occasionally adds his background vocals). The 11 songs on Vis-a-Vis are in a total of 7 languages (quite an impressive feat) and the rhythm section is both jazz-oriented and usually features Brazilian rhythms, although it also visits the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the U.S. Guest appearances by Howard Levy (playing harmonia on 2 songs, including "Estate", and wood fllute on "Viva Jujuy") and trumpeter John Swana (heard on "This Moment") are strong assets, but it is the singer who commands one's attention much of the time. This is a diverse set that is both relaxing and stimulating, one that grows in interest with each listen. - AllMusicGuide.com


"Quito Jazz Festival review"

The most outstanding act of the Quito Jazz Festival was the ensemble SIORA with Howard Levy and his harmonica. - El Comercio (Quito, Ecuador)


"SIORA in Reading"

see article by Susan L. Pena, Reading Eagle correspondent, 8/5/06, on www.siorajazz.com.

Excerpts:
Vocalist Phyllis Chapell, who sings in 11 languages, has a voice to die for. If cappuccino had a voice, it would be hers--sultry, luxurious, smooth and creamy. She has a wonderful feel for Brazilian music and can dance the samba with the right moves. But she can easily slip into all kinds of other music, giving it a vocal treatment that respects the tradition and even elevates it to fine art, and using her terrific ear for languages to achieve perfect diction...

Kleiman, a formidable pianist, has blended Latin, Middle Eastern and other rhythms and music into songs that are still, in the end, jazz..."
- ReadingEagle.com


Discography

"SIORA" (Dreambox Media)
"Vis-a-Vis" (Miowan Music)

Photos

Bio

"Creating a soundscape that needs no translation, multicultural and multilingual SIORA takes songs from around the world, from Latin America to Europe to the Middle East and beyond, and transforms them using the universal language of jazz." (Straight No Chaser, U.K.)

SIORA features the multi-lingual singing and fiery dancing of Phyllis Chapell. Alongside Chapell is composer/arranger/keyboardist Dan Kleiman who has recorded/performed with Grammy-award winning saxophonist Ernie Watts, guitarist Mike Stern, Benny Golson, Clyde Stubblefield and the Fifth Dimension.
Drums, bass, percussion and optional horn/flute round out the ensemble.

Their most recent CD "Vis-a-Vis" is a collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer Paul Wickliffe. This CD is a multi-cultural journey in 7 languages, including 3 provocative original selections in English. Guest artists include Howard Levy (original member of Bela Fleck's Flecktones) on harmonica (with whom SIORA performed in 2007 at the Quito Jazz Festival in Ecuador), John Swana on trumpet, and Ralph Bowen on sax and flute. Afro-Brazilian and Middle Eastern rhythms underscore an array of wind instruments adding exotic flavor to this international odyssey. "Vis-a-Vis" placed in the top 50 on Jazz Week (the national jazz radio charts) and has been or is being played in over 30 different cities throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan. It garnered a 4-star rating from critic Scott Yanow (Downbeat, Jazz Times, AllMusicGuide.com), who has included Phyllis Chapell in his upcoming book on the top 500 jazz vocalists of all time.

http://www.siorajazz.com