ME and anyone else I can pull up on the stage!! I've been fortunate enough to work/play with folks like Herman Matthews, Bob Birch, T-Bone Wolk, Larry Antonino, Duncan Moore, Amber Whitlock, Gary Hyde, Grant Langston, Eve Selis, Jim Studer, Kevin Hennessy, Wayne Johnson, Rob Whitlock, John Rekevics, Dave Howard, Sven-Erik Seaholm, Michael Lent, Pat Caddick, John Katchur, Kevin So, David Blosse, Rockola, The Steely Damned, Leonard Tucker, John Compton, Mattie Mills, Mark Shapiro, Kevin Koch, Thom Rotella, and more... I am a lucky duck!
Influences
Anyone doing it with with SOUL... Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, anything the Funk Brothers touched, Herbie Hancock, The Beatles, Carole King, Prince, Chaka Khan, Donnie Hathaway, Jimmy Webb, Laura Nyro, Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell, Jonatha Brooke, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Police, Tower of Power, The Foo Fighters, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Marc Cohn, Paul Carrack, Squeeze, The Spinners, Elton John, Billy Joel, Eva Cassidy, Annie Lennox, Eric Clapton, CSN, The Police, Sting, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Buckley, The Eagles, The Beach Boys (when they were really cool), Jimmy Webb, Peter Gabriel, Bruce Hornsby, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Fleetwood Mac, The Thorns, Queen, Trisha Yearwood, Sarah Vaughn, Bill Evans, Al Jarreau, and so on, and so on, and so on...
Sounds Like
I have heard everything from Carole King to Laura Nyro to Sarah MacLachlan - that's all pretty good if you ask me! I think I sound like me, but what do I know??
"A beautiful piece of work. Patti's voice is a blend of one part funk, one part soul, washed down with rich harmonies. Get this CD." - Joe C. (Hazy Daze Records, Seattle)
On the heels of her first international tour and with the new CD Tunes under her belt, Patti Zlaket is solidifying her place in the singer/songwriter arena. The new batch of songs is a true mixture of the soul, pop, blues and country influences which have always colored her music. Its surprising "out of the box" nature is right in line with the performer, herself. The unscripted, completely natural way in which Patti approaches her audience is equally present in her recordings. And you always get the feeling that she is having fun! Her combination of sweet soulful singing and fiery passion makes Patti Zlaket a consistent force to be reckoned with in contemporary music.
In a live setting Patti's energetic humor immediately captivates the crowd. Her spontaneous storytelling has become a signature part of her performances, and whether it's in a coffeehouse or club, one thing is for sure: Patti will leave an audience much differently than she found it.
Reminiscent of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Laura Nyro, Patti's songwriting takes an honest approach to life and matters of the heart. Her soulful voice and melodic style make a mark on the listener that lingers long after the song has ended, with range and sensitivity that evokes her true connection to the lyric and her determination to draw in the audience.
Patti is no stranger to the music world. She began playing the piano at age 7, wrote her first song at age 14, and began writing, performing and doing studio demo work in the Los Angeles area in the early 1990's.
In 1994, she co-produced her first collection of music entitled the The Promise, engineered by John Arrias (Barbra Streisand, Bob Seger) and co-produced with Pat Caddick (Danny Ganz, Toto). Hailed as a sophisticated and passionate first offering, The Promise combines solid songwriting with sleek contemporary ballads and a hint of the blues.
In 1998, Zlaket put on the producer's hat for the first time with a four song CD entitled Patti Zlaket, a scaled down project that illustrates Patti's talents as both singer and songwriter and displays a warm, acoustic feel that takes in the listener and doesn't let go.
Patti's second album, Bliss, released in 2001, features a variety of eclectic material that covers everything from blues to pop, folk to funk, and is some her most interesting work to date. Predominately captured "live," the recordings are refreshing and rare in todays current landscape of highly polished studio albums.
In addition to performing, Zlaket's current projects include session work, writing and producing. She has become a regular on the songwriter showcase circuit, playing locally and internationally. Zlaket's music has garnered interest from other writers/performers and she is currently working with award-winning composers from Los Angeles to Nashville.
We miss our Patti Poo!! 'Love Is Easy' still makes me cry, so beautiful like you! ; ) I remember when you were writing it, feels like yesterday... Love you! xo
Thank you! I shall be attending your birthday dinner extravaganza this evening.....eventhough my invite was lost in the world of cyberspace...uuhhhuuuhhhh ok ;) KIDDING KIDDING! See you soon!
As you take your Finals, ask yourself....how would Kevin answer this question. Then write down the exact opposite. I promise, you'll pass with flying colors.
Great job last night....you were a breathtaking vision of beauty and talent. I laughed....I cried....and now I long for the time that I will be graced with your siren tones again......
My bad Patti. I thought you were one of the many girls who stalk me on myspace. Sandra let me know that yes you were stalking me and would continue stalking me so I decided to make you my friend :)
PZ- I see that John Katchur is playing with you at Humphrey's. He is a superb musician and I am hoping to start playing music with him. I went to high school with him and recently saw him at my 5...no, 10....no, 15.....shit....20th high school reunion. Holy schniekies, we're old! By the way, I turn 21....no, 25....no, 30....no....shit....38 on October 8. Will you save the date to party with the Wheelers?
Patti - no problem with a new picture. We'll just have to do another show to create the photo op for a new one. This time we'll totally pose! (i.e. suck in gut, poke out chest, fling hair (patti only), make sure not to blink, look like a star, etc..)
I've been practicing the six string lately, I'll start practicing various poses, just in case I get the chance again.
By the way, stop eavesdropping on my posts to your sister...she does RULE, doesn't she.
