Phyllis Chapell & SIORA -- World Songs ** World Jazz: a blend of music from the U.S., Latin/South America, Europe and the Middle East, all with their own unique arrangements--as well as original compositions--all shaken and stirred with all-American jazz.

"We struggled with being all over the map, and then we embraced it!" says singer/guitarist Phyllis
Chapell. "Our music, wherever it comes from, passes through the prism of jazz, allowing us the freedom to navigate--to cross musical borders."
Phyllis Chapell & SIORA 2011 CD release is called "The Other Side of the River" and shows all the various configurations possible, from solo (vocals and guitar) to ensemble work. Phyllis Chapell plays and sings songs from around the world in up to 12 languages. Her 3-octave vocals are supported and complemented by her acoustic guitar, capturing the essence of musical styles from percussive Brazilian sambas and explosive flamenco to elegant folk, jazz, contemporary and original ballads. She has been named one of the top 521 jazz vocalists by Scott Yanow (Downbeat, Jazz
Times, AllMusicGuide) in his new book, "The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide".
Alongside Chapell are keyboardist Dave Posmontier (who has played with Christian McBride, Chris Potter, Duane Eubanks, David "Fathead" Newman and Johnny Hartman); on saxophone and pennywhistle is Ken Ulansey (Penn Council for the Arts winner, who has played contemporary classical music with Relache, jazz with his own award-winning band, Latin with Synthesis and Minas, and folk music with many leading songwriters--he has travelled extensively throughout the world and has played on nearly 200 recordings); on bass are Rob Swanson (who has played with
Giacomo Gates and the Clifford Brown & Stan Getz All Stars) or Chico Huff (James Taylor, Carly Simon, Solas. Jeff Golub, Jef Lee Johnson); Paul Jost on drums and vocals (4-category Billboard Song Contest Winner, who has played with Billy Eckstine, Mark Murphy, Ann Hampton-Calloway); Jimmy Coleman (Amos Lee, John Legend, Eric Hutchinson) and master percussionist Cuban-born Francois Zayas. SIORA has been joined on recordings and in concert by Howard Levy, Ralph Bowen, Stan Slotter, Kevin MacConnell, Joseph Tayoun, Dave Valentin and Raphael Cruz.

SIORA's 2004 CD "Vis-á-Vis" received a 4* rating by Scott Yanow. In 2009, they released a Jewish Jazz CD called "Vision of the Dry Bones" which is receiving rave reviews. Sound Roots (Spin the Globe) says that SIORA has a "...special chemistry that makes this modern genre-bending music deeply satisfying and highly recommended."

"Blending world music and contemporary jazz into a soundscape that needs no translation, SIORA takes you on a journey of the soul, touching down in Rio, Paris, Mazer-e-Sharif and points beyond." (Straight No Chaser, UK