SINGERS SPOTLIGHT

Jessica inherited the gift of music from her Dad and the love of music from both of her parents.  Her Father, Martin Fierro was a renowned saxophone player who frequently brought Jessica onstage with him at the many shows he performed.  Her Dad passed away in March 2008 when she was 8 years old and at his memorial, which was held at The Fillmore, Jessica performed onstage, for the first time, in front of a sold out crowd singing a song dedicated to her Dad.  Since that time, she has been singing with SingersMarin for three years and enjoys singing with her ensemble, Celestial Voices.  Most recently Jessica has performed with talented local bands around town that her Dad used to play with and plans on continuing to do so.  Below is a link to one of her recent performances: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2d3PoacXYQ

Former Wings of Song member, Fran Hament, looks back at her Wings of Song as an experience which is not easy to explain.  "The feelings, the camaraderie, the learning of new and proper ways to sing have stayed with me through the years."  Now living at The Jewish Home in San Francisco,  Fran sings many solo's at the daily coffee bar, and will participate in this year's upcoming Chanukah Show, "American Chai-Dol," (a take off on American Idol).  Her solo for this performance will be a song she wrote lyrics to, on the melody of Stormy Weather -- a sampling of those lyrics:  Don't know why, matzo balls fall from the sky, kosher weather...

Fran says, "I still wear the Wings of Song t-shirt often and think about the lovely memories."

Just Voices member, Patty Wolfe, has just released a a new CD, Postcards From Patty.  These are all original songs she has written over the years.  They include an eclectic variety of styles i.e., rock, soft ballads, Latin, etc...

For more information and to hear samples, check out her website @ www.pattywolfemusic.com

A Joyful Sound! member, Bob Gordon, is enjoying the music we’re singing this summer, because of his past association with the performing artists and composers.  Here are the facts:

HAPPY DAYS:  The writers are Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, who have been clients.  They are both top writers with Oscars and Emmys to their credit, including the classic hit “Killing Me Softly . . .”.

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC:  This is a famous Doobie Brothers song, written by Tom Johnston.  I represented the Doobie Brothers for about 25 years and continue to represent Tom and his daughter, Lara, who most likely will be a famous singer as well.  I also negotiated the contract resulting in the printing of the sheet music we use!

MILL VALLEY:  I have been counsel to Rita Abrams for decades, and also represent Erik Jacobsen, who was the producer of the recording and involved in the publishing.  I also negotiated the sheet music contract.

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE and TOP OF THE WORLD:  I was the personal attorney for Richard and Karen Carpenter in the mid- and late ‘60s early in their careers.

les étoiles member Eleanor Coleman, 15, has a very special opportunity this summer.  She has been selected to sing the alto solos in Vivaldi’s Gloria at Youth Music International’s performance this August in Saint Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco.  YMI is a summer program that brings talented musicians and coaches from different countries together for intensive training and performances.   This year, it is being held in the Bay Area; next year it will be in Oxford, England and include performances in Blenheim Palace. 

Eleanor is not only singing in the program, she is also playing the cello!   In fact, when she was initially recruited for the program it was for her cello skills.  When she learned that there was an opportunity to sing, she and Jan Pedersen Schiff, her voice teacher, put together a recording in one afternoon that was sent off to England.  Eleanor heard from the vocal director in Oxford that she had been chosen to sing the alto solos:  a solo aria with orchestra and an aria with chorus and orchestra.  She and Jan will be hard at work to prepare her parts by August.