Jazz Child: A Portrait of Sheila Jordan Book Release Concert Celebration

BERKELEY, Calif. - Oct. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- On Friday, October 10th the California Jazz Conservatory hosts a concert of jazz music with vocalist and author Ellen Johnson to celebrate the release of her highly anticipated biography, Jazz Child: A Portrait of Sheila Jordan, published by Rowman and Littlefield. Johnson will be singing selections dedicated to her musical mentors and from her upcoming recording, Form & formless.  As George Harris wrote in All About Jazz, "while other singers are rehashing the great American songbook, Johnson is putting it through the meat grinder and creating a whole new menu."  Besides Johnson on vocals,  the quartet features Jason Martineau (piano), Peter Barshay (bass), and Bryan Bowman (drums).

Jordan's biography by author Ellen Johnson is a testament to a vanishing generation of musicians and the importance of her indomitable spirit in keeping the music alive.  As the prominent jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins commented, "It's about time that somebody wrote a book about Sheila Jordan. People need to hear something real that's going to make a difference in their life. This is a message that the world needs."  A limited number of author signed copies will be available at the event and are currently sold online or at local bookstores. For more information about the book go to, http://www.jazzchildthebook.com

The festivities begin at 8 pm with two sets and general admission $15 or $12 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at: http://cjc.edu/event/ellen-johnson/or call 510-845-5373. The California Jazz Conservatory is located at 2087 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94704. Go to, http://www.ellenjohnson.net for more information about Ellen Johnson.