Ellen Edwards, A New York Session
With the 2/22/20 release date of her stylistically eclectic and soulfully swinging new EP, A New York Session, Ellen Edwards brings explosive musical news to her fellow empty nesters wondering what’s next – everything! The opportunity to fulfill those long set aside creative dreams. The chance to embrace your true purpose. And, if you’re as jazzy and extraordinarily gifted a singer-songwriter as she is, a surreal but beautifully grounded day at Shelter Island Studios in NYC to record with some of the city’s top session cats. Suddenly manifesting the previously unfathomable, those musicians took her tunes to rarefied heights, helping lay the groundwork for a promising new career as an artist and performer.
The session at Shelter Island happened through a bit of serendipity via her songwriting teacher, legendary country artist Suzy Bogguss, who hooked the Atlanta based singer-songwriter up with her former producer, keyboardist Jason Miles. Miles loved Edwards’ material and quickly gathered an ensemble that included Randy Brecker (trumpet), Robbie Kondor (piano), Will Lee (bass), Jeff Mironov (guitar), Gene Lake (drums), Richie Morales (percussion) and Jason Miles (B3, vibes and synthesizers). They all work their effortless spontaneity and spark around Ellen’s powerful tone and distinctive phrasing, a stylistic flow that ranges from Latin to gospel/blues, and a continuous message of conquering one’s demons and sorrows and forging a bright future.
-Jonathan Widran, Jazziz Magazine
"Ellen-That Blue and Green song-Holy Cow!!
You are awesome...thank you for being such a wonderful songwriter..."
-Emily Saliers, Indigo Girls
JAZZ JOURNAL
Ellen Edwards: A New York Session
“…Edwards has a pleasing vocal sound, rich and mature. The music is melodic and the lyrics of these songs are intelligent, of the day, and positive… Although she has recorded CDs before, Ellen Edwards is a new name to me and I will seek out those earlier albums.”
By Bruce Crowther