Sylvia Winsby: News

May 9, 2010, 6pm, La Pena Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA.

Sylvia will represent Jazz in an all original music concert by songwriters of the greater bay area.  See calendar listing for details.

West Coast Songwriters 2009 annual song contest award!  Announced today:  Sylvia's song, The Rivers Flow With Tears,  received an "Honorable Mention" award in the Blues category.  This song is not yet released.  To view the award:   http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org/contest_winnerinfo.htm

Just received notice today that Looking To The Light received an Honorable Mention award in the October, 2009 round of judging in the Song of the Year song and lyric competition.  "This status indicates that a submission was found impressive by a number of the judges.  Song of the Year receives entries form all over the world and only those artists who display particular talent and creativity receive such recognition." (Song of the Year website.)

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/SylviaWinsby

Open Mic Performance!  Debut public performance as pianist was an eye-opener to all who've only known of her vocal abilities. The 'Sylvia Winsby Quintet' performed Little Boat for an enthusiastic camp audience.  All were gently rocking to the bossa nova rhythm- transported on the sound waves to a tropical paradise. 

The concert was wonderful!  "This competition produced some of the most exciting music heard at the series" (San Jose Jazz website).  9 composers were featured, and several, including Sylvia,  performed their pieces with the Touch of Brass big band that afternoon.  See 'photo gallery' for images and 'music' for a live sound clip.

Sylvia's entry, 'Green in Blue', was selected in the competition for repertoire to be performed at the San Jose Jazz Composer Showcase concert this year. The concert on 3/22/09 features the Touch of Brass big band, performing the works of 9 local composers. Sylvia will be singing her piece, 'Green in Blue' with the band. Tickets and further info at: www.sanjosejazz.org

'Looking To The Light' received an 'Honorable Mention' award in the instrumental/jazz/world category in the November Song of the Year Contest. This contest receives entries from all over the world and the award "status indicates that a submission was found impressive by a number of the judges".

KUSP jazz hosts, Alan Mertens, and Mike Lambert played 'Looking To The Light', on their programs December 18 and 31, 2008.   Kudos to them for suppport of independent jazz musicians on the central coast! KUSP streams on the web at www.kusp.org. Call in to the station to request the song Tues., Wed., or Thurs. nites from 9:30-midnite, or Friday from 10 pm to midnite (PSTime) (831)-476-2800, or 800-655-kusp (toll free in California, USA) Thanks!

Sylvia's happy to announce the release of her original song for the holiday season, Looking To The Light. The duo recording features Murray Low, Grammy-nominated pianist, with Sylvia's vocal. Bringing warmth and hope to the winter season, this limited edition single cd, including inspirational photography, lyrics, and artist information will be a welcome addition to holiday music collections. The nondenominational message of 'Looking To The Light' embraces the sentiment of fond memories and good will. A perfect gift for everyone, its mix of jazz-spiced harmony with timely lyric may likely become a new favorite. This recording feels like a private concert in your living room. Piano and voice perfectly compliment one another, setting a mellow tone for gatherings or moments of meditative solitude. It's the perfect soundtrack to inspire positive reflection for the coming new year. A "Suggested Artist" award recipient in the 2007 Song Of The Year competition, Sylvia also received a "Semi-Finalist" award in the 2008 100% Music Songwriting Contest. Residing in the Monterey Bay Area, CA, Sylvia has performed at local venues, including Kuumbwa Jazz Center. The natural beauty of the region provides inspiration for her compositions, published through her own company, Indigo Dream Music. Murray Low, Grammy-nominated pianist, is a 'first-call' jazz musician in the San Francisco Bay Area. Performing on over forty jazz recordings, he also has appeared at major jazz festivals, concert series, and television broadcasts since 1991. In 2008-2009, Murray is the 'Artist in Residence' at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA. The recording is available as mp3 download or special cd with inspirational photos, lyrics, and artist information through CD Baby- see links in 'Buy CD'.

Looking To The Light, a new original song, is anticipated for release November 15th, 2008. Featuring Murray Low, Grammy-nominated pianist, in duo with Sylvia's vocal, the recording will bring warmth and hope to listeners this holiday/winter season.

100% Music Songwriting Contest, 2008, Semi-Finalist award in the Jazz/Blues category for Never Lost.

This is a world-wide competition.  Never Lost can be heard in 'Music', and is on the 'Shades of Green in Blue' CD- available as individual download or whole album through CD Baby-

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/SylviaWinsby

Sylvia has collaborated with Murray Low, Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, to record several of her new compositions. The vocal/piano duo studio session captured their interplay of ideas in a warm performance atmosphere. Updates will be posted, so stay tuned.

Sylvia received a 'Suggested Artist Award' from Song of the Year for her entry "Never Lost" in the Dec. 2007 round of competition. Suggested Artists are those whose "collective works display consistently noteworthy creativity and talent". Song of the Year is an international songwriting competition and supporter of VH-1 Save the Music. To see the award, go to 'Cool Links'.

Rejuvenating spring is here... Over last fall and winter, Sylvia has been composing new material. Plans to record some of it are in the works for May '08. Murray Low, Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, will be her duo partner in this project. There was much to digest after Stanford Jazz Residency. Going deeper into the music journey and finding more aspects of her creative voice in the piano has been fulfilling. Stay tuned to hear new song clips and for future performances coming up...

Sylvia spent a week with some of the greatest jazz musicians living today! Intensive study of piano, arranging, and combo skills-"an amazing experience!" Piano classes with Kenny Barron, Taylor Eigsti, and Stefan Karlsson expanded her vocabulary & view on the 88s. Combo class with Terell Stafford pushed the envelope. Improvisation and master classes with drummers Matt Wilson & Jimmy Cobb, along with bassist Eddie Gomez were inspiring. Being immersed in this glow of jazz at its finest for a week left Sylvia with much to digest. She describes it as "one of those moments when you know you'll never be the same...."

The Apple iTunes link for the CD is now functioning! Those who prefer digital download for their music can now easily buy individual songs or the whole CD. Go to 'Buy CD' or 'Links' for the direct link to Sylvia's iTunes page.

So happy to announce that this cd is now available through CDBABY.
Buy 1 (or more!)- there's a 20% discount if you buy 2 or more copies through them. Music is a great gift! Thanks!

The evening was wonderful- so great to play for a warm, appreciative audience. What great listeners! so inspiring... To the delight of the audience, Sylvia performed additional original songs not on the recording; one audience member called out "they should be!" It was a glowing, successful event, enjoyed by all. Sound clips of the original tunes, recorded live at the concert, can be heard in 'Music' on the website.

The soon to be released CD, Shades of Green in Blue, continues to receive airplay on KUSP, central coast public radio. Several night time jazz programmers, including Eddie Hudson, Mike Lambert, and Pete Falico have played tracks. Falico played "Green in Blue" and Hudson commented “she’s very talented”, following his airplay of the original piece, "Spring of Life" on 4/19. He spoke enthusiastically of the CD and the upcoming release concert .

Eddie Hudson, host of 'Things Ain't What They Used To Be', on KUSP Thursdays from 9:30-12 midnite, played the track 'Poinciana' from the CD 'Shades of Green in Blue', 4/5/07

He complimented the CD, saying "She (Sylvia) did a great job!" All personnel on the recording, as well as the upcoming release concert 4/28 were announced.

KUSP 88.9 fm, Streaming and Podcasting at KUSP.org

SO- I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CALL IN TO KUSP AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES TO REQUEST MORE AIRPLAY FROM 'SHADES OF GREEN IN BLUE' BY SYLVIA WINSBY-
THE HOSTS LISTED BELOW HAVE THE CD
(831) 476-2800
800-655-KUSP, toll free in California.

Sun. Mike Lambert, 'In the Groove', 9:30 pm to midnite

Mon. Pete Falico, 'Doodlin',
9:30 pm to midnite

Thurs. Alan Mertens or Eddie Hudson, 'Things Ain't What They Used To Be'
9:30pm to midnite

Check the soundclips in 'music' and you could request a specific song- then get to hear the whole song!
THX FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

CD RELEASE CONCERT APRIL 28, 2007
Cayuga Vault, Santa Cruz, CA 8pm

Sylvia’s debut CD, Shades of Green in Blue, artfully blends her soulful voice with personally compelling songs in an impressive repertoire of jazz styles. Sylvia and ensemble skillfully shift the mood throughout the program from sensuous bossa novas to bonafide swing- from lush soul and blues infusions to tropical calypso. Fresh arrangements keep the listener entranced with her authenticity and innovation.

Inspired by the wild beauty of the Monterey bay area, California, Shades of Green in Blue casts a new light on vocal jazz. Sylvia’s original compositions weave lyric and melody into one seamless aural movie, evoking sensual imagery that connects the listener with personal stories of hope, spirit, and heart. Drawn from a deep well of life experience, the music resonates with our collective humanity. The multi-hued vocal palette of this musician shines like sunlight sparkling across the ocean.

The April 28th celebratory concert features the excellence of seasoned jazz musicians heard on the recording- Martan Mann, superb pianist, and the originally hip bassist, Mickey McPhillips. Wonderful drummer, Jeff Arlt, completes the rhythm section. With Sylvia’s vocals sailing on the sound waves of these artists playing, this will be a night of jazz to warm up your spring and take you all the way into summer’s glow.