Otherwise, I currently play in two cover bands: Dreadbeats reggae/zydeco (vocals/keys) Voice of Cheez -a Frank Zappa tribute band (vocals/sax/flute)
Influences
Some of these influences you may hear in my music, some you may not--and it depends on the song. When I write I like to explore different styles—even though it makes it harder to classify my music. No category! But overall I want it to be soulful. In no particular order: jonathan richman, talking heads, robert johnson, kate bush, sarah vaughan, ella fitzgerald, kd lang, michelle shocked, bob marley, toots and the maytalls, frank zappa, al green, los lobos, bessie smith, roberta flack, john coltrane, charlie parker, jimmy cliff, peter gabriel, beatles, john lennon, george harrison, rolling stones, bb king, wilco, kalil el zabar, chuck berry, igor stravinsky, js bach, youssou n'dour, issa cissoko, baba olatunji, laurie anderson, boozoo chavez, earl bostic, james galway, robert dick, ornette coleman, cecil taylor, mc5, iggy pop, soho goddess, gilberto gil, debussy, velvet underground, police, elvis costello, sex pistols, splat cats, elvis presley, leonard cohen, leonard bernstein, celia cruz, pretenders, ani difranco, nora jones, rolling stones, u2, the slits, scott joplin, janis joplin, carol king, bob dylan, woodie guthrie, duke ellington, hank williams, madonna, tina turner, mahotella queens, the clash, the who, the chieftans, the carter family, yoko ono, sly, hendrix, paul simon, chopin, villa lobos, john cage, yvar mikashof, peter tosh, disposable heroes of hiphopracy, loren hill, louis armstrong, andrew lloyd weber, harold arlen, mozart, buckwheat zydeco, ravi shankar, aaron copeland, bambuti pygmies... and on and on....
Sounds Like
Myself. Once somebody said I LOOK LIKE Xina Warrior Princess (!!). I guess that was a compliment (??). What does she say? Flame on??? Well, something like that! Rock and Roll Super Hero...
I am a songwriter and singer. I play keyboards, guitar, flute, sax, and percussion.
Leaving behind my very lofty training in classical flute and modern composition, after I graduated from music school I filled my ears with jazz, folk and rock & roll. I also got into African and Caribbean drum and dance.
During the 90s I recorded and toured with the acoustic/original duo, The Jazzabels, opening for Ani DiFrancos very first tape release party, and performing at venues across the USA and abroad. We had 3 indie releases. I was also (in my spare time!) the founding Director of Musicians United for Superior Education (MUSE), stirring up grant money to bring drum and dance to inner city kids.
I took a hiatus from performing and arts management to earn my masters degree in music education, and to have a child. I currently teach music in the Buffalo Public Schools. When my son was about three, I finally returned to writing--and now he's almost seven--and I'm out doing solo gigs again! Yay! I also play with two bands (Dreadbeats/reggae and Voice of Cheez/Frank Zappa).
I recently convened a band to perform my original music.. we call ourselves Bloodthirsty Vegans. It is a songwriter's collective... so I'm collaborating with some other great writers. Recording soon.
Kilissa, It was great to hear you and hear about your life, art, work on WBFO this morning. I'm so happy to know that the work that we were developing at UB so many years ago continues! Congratulations, best wishes and keep going strong! JBJ
Thanks for adding me!! Hope you're enjoying my music :) I'm very happy to announce that my new CD, "Full Circle" is now released and available! You can find it online at my official website, www.halieloren.net, and at www.cdbaby.com/halieloren.
Hey girl! I just wanted to stop by because I dont think I even commented before, but I do truly appreciate your support and warm welcome. Idk where Im going as a music ed major right now but yea... its like sometimes im really inspired to be a teacher and other times im really inspired to being a starving artist folk singing hobo. How has it turned out for you? I hink its awesome that you still perform even with your teaching career. I also really love your first song!
ttyl, sorry for my delayed response!
warm wishes
amanda
Thank you so much for reading my book... and congratulations on your miseducation.
If you ever want to pick up book two, you can get it Rust Belt Books on Elmwood & Allen, or have Paul pick up a copy at church, or click here to get it online.
Hope the HOT MAMa's concert was GREATTTT!!
I'm still in philly but will be back home on wednesday night. Things are calming down, family is a good thing, My dad is getting his bearings back slowly of course, my step-mom was soooooo loved, the church was packed-standing room only!
I better get some sleep, Dad's taking us to one of my aunts BBQ for the 4th in NYC, only a 90 min drive, then I'm on the train on the 5th to BFLO
talk to you soon
Annette
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Wow, you play saxaphone too....beautiful instrument! Nice to meet you Kilissa, I hope I get a chance to come play out in your neck of the woods. All the best to you.
