November 2022
It has been another amazing year to be a Creative! With so many challenges it’s been a wonderful opportunity for taking more time at home than usual to reflect on new realities and focus on the possibilities! One of my most positive experiences during the pandemic is that I was able to stay home more often to witness each and every plant and flower that has been landscaped into our yard through the years, emerge into blooming splendor!
A few highlights of my musical life this year were several LIVE Concerts outdoors this summer and fall: The Settler’s Inn “Jazz on the Deck” Series (Hawley, PA) with Bruce Arnold (guitar), Tony Marino (bass) and Joe Lovano (drums); the first annual “OC Live!” Series with my Zephyr Band (Newburgh, Orange County, NY) with Fred Jacobs (trumpet), Bruce Arnold (guitar), John Menegon (bass) and Bob Meyer (drums); and a delightful breezy afternoon outdoor gig at The Brewery at Orange County Hops “Sunday Jazz” Series (Walden, NY) with Teri Roiger (keyboard), Fred Jacobs (trumpet), Bruce Arnold (guitar), John Menegon (bass) and Lamy Istrefi (drums) that as we were packing up, turned into a mad dash out of the first Much-Needed Rain in months!!!!
Musically, the whole year has been restorative thanks in part to flutist Cheryl Pyle’s “Beyond Group” with monthly 3rd Sunday LiveStreams on Zoom from the comfort of our homes. Our Sequential Improvisations revealed a healing energy with Musical Ideas shared among the 4-6 of us, depending who was available in the core group! And in summer we resumed live concerts at the lovely “6BC Gardens” in lower Manhattan. This Winter into 2023 we will continue the monthly Zoom sessions so if you are interested in tuning in to hear an hour of free-flowing improvisations from 4 -5 pm, check my EVENTS page and contact me for the Zoom link!
During the month of April, both the Musical and Visual aspects of my work came together when I was curated into an Exhibit & Performance Series called “Musicians Who Paint” at Westbury Arts, a NY non-profit. During the month of April, 8 Artists were curated into this Exhibit and Performance Series. There was a group discussion about our processes and each displayed 4 paintings relating to music in their Gallery space for the month. Plus each Musician/Artist presented a Music Concert to share our musical expression and concepts. I brought a Trio to share some of my favorite classics and original songs, two musicians with whom I feel very comfortable: Bruce Arnold on guitar and Joe Lovano on woodwinds. It was a blast!
In August I braved the airports for the first time in a few years… and had the honor to be part of the Faculty of the “Jazz Denmark Summer Workshop” outside of Copenhagen. This historical gathering of some of Scandinavia’s most talented and accomplished jazz musicians is an intensely productive week of master classes, rehearsals and performances for all involved. I loved working with and hearing all the talented and open-minded musicians who were so receptive to new approaches and perspectives of rehearsing and arranging original charts within each group. Other faculty this year included Teri Lynne Carrington, Carlos Enriquez, Kris Davis, Keyon Harold and Joe Lovano and it was great to play with them for the Faculty Concert and then see how each worked with and shaped their ensembles. The Staff and Organizers did a super job to make sure everyone was happy and everything ran smoothly. Thank you!
Alongside all these musical events, I had 3 different SOLO ART EXHIBITS this Spring and Summer! That was quite amazing and very fulfilling!!! My visual art includes paintings and mixed media works of Musicians, Dancers, Musical Instruments, Landscapes and Abstracts inspired by music or dance. Since I’ve been so influenced by all of the arts, it made sense to create an inter-disciplinary event. So I hired a group of musicians to enhance a few of the Receptions with music composed by some of the Jazz Personalities in my portraits! It was a delight! Now I am working to finalize a Virtual Tour to post online, in case you could not attend. So stay in touch and I hope to get that up shortly!
Some of the JAZZ MUSICIANS I have sketched in live concert settings and subsequently painted include: McCoy Tyner, Sheila Jordan, Jaco Pastorius, Abbey Lincoln, Michael Abene, John Scofield, Dave Douglas, Joey Baron, Dewey Redman, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Marilyn Crispell, Joe Lovano, Idris Mohammed, Dwayne Burno, Linda Mayhan Oh and Kenny Werner. This Winter I’m preparing to work on new paintings of Elvin Jones, Carla Bley, Dianne Reeves, Chucho Valdez and the many lesser-known yet wonderful musicians I have been inspired by through the years.
I spent many years studying and performing as a dancer so that has always been an important part of my vibe, scoping out the movement of life. Some of the DANCERS I have painted include: Isadora Duncan, NY modern interpretive dancer Maria Mitchell, Mexican flamenco dancer Natalia Loza and several dance companies and I continue to work on studies of the human body. Many of my Original Paintings (not all) are available for purchase and I have Archival Quality Prints of many of them as well. Please inquire about availability if anything interests you.
I am now accepting commissions and have really enjoyed documenting people and pets this past year! So if you have an idea for which you’d like to have in an original piece of art, as a gift perhaps, let me know.
So, please check THIS WEBSITE’S PAINTINGS PAGE in addition to my ETSY SHOP which features many other items like Blank Greeting Cards of my paintings, Prints, Painted Rocks and Original Paintings in Oil, Watercolor, Acrylic, Pastel and Encaustic Wax at www.etsy.com/shop/JudiSilvanoArtnCards . Yes, I’ve been busy!
On the Musical Horizon…. My collaborations with guitarist Bruce Arnold continue and we have begun releasing a NEW SONIC TWIST ALBUM! We recorded these Improvised Music Sessions at Studio 66 this past summer with selected guest artists and every week a new track is being released and posted on YouTube until the Full Album will be released in Spring of 2023, “Sonic Twist & Friends”. We have also recorded another Duo Album, title to be determined, which will be released later in 2023, where Bruce & I played with a percussion perspective. More to come… I will post details on my Facebook Page and if you’d like to receive my NEWSLETTER, please do so on the first page of this website.
Context: 2022 is the 20 year Anniversary of the Release of my RIDING A ZEPHYR Duo Recording with the late-great Mal Waldron who was Billie Holiday’s last accompanist. It was released on Soul Note/ Black Saint Records in 2002! Wow! Our collaboration received a wonderful reception with the combination of Mal’s Compositions, some with my New Lyrics which he embraced, and some of my own Originals. What a gift for me to spend that moment in time with him in a Brussels studio on that one day and then countless trans-Atlantic phone calls sharing his stories and jokes. It was like a dream, and I realize that we had met on a spirit level. I miss him and am so grateful for that chance in my development, to have connected with this generous giant within the musical universe.
Also, it is the Anniversary of the recording of my Landmark Release CLEOME. This was a 5-year band project with my quartet of George Garzone (tenor sax and clarinet), Michael Formanek (bass) and Gerry Hemingway (drums and percussion) from several Live Sessions at the Knitting Factory and Studio 66, released on JSL Records.
So there is a lot going on, even though I often feel that I’m not doing very much. So, THANK YOU for listening and looking!!!!
Wishing you and yours an expansive and joyous season of reflection into the renewal of springtime. Best JUDI SILVANO
January 2022
What a year it’s been – 2021 was a real challenge for all of us, being at home and staying away from large groups to prevent getting the Omicron Covid virus!!! We have so many friends and colleagues who weren’t as lucky as we’ve been and have lost many friends and colleagues due to the dangerous complications it causes.
On the Happy side of things… 2022 is a year of Possibilities!!!!
In 2022, it is the 20 year Anniversary of release of my RIDING A ZEPHYR DUO recording with the late-great Mal Waldron who was Billie Holiday’s last accompanist, which was released on Soul Note/Black Saint Records! It received a wonderful reception of our collaboration, a combination of Mals’ compositions, some with my new Lyrics, and some of my own originals. What a gift to spend time in the studio in Brussels with him and then to share countless phone calls sharing jokes with him.
Also, it is the Anniversary of the recording of my Landmark Release CLEOME. This was a 5-year band project with my quartet of George Garzone (tenor sax and clarinet), Michael Formanek (bass) and Gerry Hemingway (drums and percussion) from several Live Sessions at the Knitting Factory and Studio 66, released on JSL Records ….
And NOW for the coming year 2022…
I am grateful for Flutist Cheryl Pyle’s foresight in organizing a monthly LiveStream on Zoom on the 3rd Sunday of every month the whole year in 2021! What used to be live concerts every month in the “6BC Gardens” in lower Manhattan became a refuge for me from the comfort of my home, to share the fun of playing with 5 or 6 virtuosic musicians. Our Sequential Improvisations revealed a new kind of energy that was truly healing for me, with the beauty of Musical Ideas taking center stage in sometimes surprising ways! We continue into 2022 so if interested to watch and share the fun, contact me for the Zoom link! It will be Feb ??? , March ???, April ??? etc….
I am thrilled to announce that this Spring and Summer I have 3 different SOLO ART EXHIBITS to share my work with you. Physically, they are all in the Hudson Valley and I am working to make a Virtual Exhibit Tour to post in case you cannot attend in person. Please consult my EVENTS page for details.
Announcing a new Music Release of SONIC TWIST’s New Album: SONIC TWIST & FRIENDS
Every week a new track will be released until the Full Album is released in Sept. 2022
Sessions as Studio 66 of Master Improvisers on multiple instruments include Judi Silvano on Voice and Percussion, Bruce Arnold on Guitar and Gezung (Koto) with Guest Artists Joe Lovano on C-Soprano, C-Melody, Gongs, Drum, Gezung (Koto) and Alto Flute, John Menegon on Bass and Teri Roiger on Voice and Michal Shapiro Voice. See our website SONIC-TWIST.com
September 2021
Hello friends of Music and Art and the good life!
Has it been such a long year that I haven't sent you my updates? Well, I guess all the challenges of the World Events and the Pandemic have been so involved that I haven't updated this page since last December! Yikes! So here we go!
I hope you and your dear ones have been safe and healthy in spite of everything around us... and that you have found ways to be Creative! Here is a re-cap of what has happened in My World and I am sure our paths have crossed in one way or another ---
January saw me playing some LiveStream concerts and how lucky am I that my partner for the Panama Jazz Festival was with the always amazing Joe Lovano - we fashioned a flowing concert of Music and added me painting in Real Time - in between musical pieces, sometimes I would paint on a blank canvas while Joe played a solo piece! It was magic!
I was soooo fortunate to have been invited by Cheryl Pyle to be part of her ""Beyond Flute" group, and that continued every month on the 3rd Sunday of each month! What fun to totally improvise solos in conjunction with musicians such as Cherly Pyle, Haruna Fukazawa and Gene Coleman on flutes, Michael Eaton and Sam Newsome on saxophones, Claire de Brunner on bassoon and myself on vocals. I started adding some percussion to my solos and had a great time listening to everyone!
I also did quite a few Livestreams on "MOTI - Music on the Inside" to celebrate the organization that has been teaching Music to incarcerated people as a mode of Healing and Emotional Health! Thanks especially to Alina Bloomgarten who founded the jgroup and to Antoinette Motague and Richard Miller who facilitated! There are so many wonderfully talented folks out here and it was lovely to SHARE and HEAR. When we weren't playing, we tuned in to support and enjoy the other musicians who were...
As a painter... I began my passion for fusing Music and Painting... having a blank Canvas set up behind the musical gear and created some Improvised Artwork during some of the ensuing Livestreams. Some of them were quite strong and clear! The month of February is usually the most difficult to endure in a winter, and I painted 5 different canvases in Black and White to document that feeling.
In March, film-maker Michael Kelly asked me to paint something for the packaging cover for his film about drummer Paul Motian that was nearing completion and release. What a thrill and a challenge! Having heard and seen Paul play for many years while my partner Joe Lovano was a part of his now-famous Trio (with Bill Frisell) and for countless other performances, I felt overwhelmed, and yet managed to compile several elements into one painting. I hope you will like not only my painting, but also Michael Kelly's film about this Giant of Jazz!
My painting "Spirit Walk" was accepted into a Juried Show at Wallkill River School of Art and Gallery for the month of April and I was thrilled! It is an Experimental Watercolor and measures 33 wide x 23 high.
We had our family party planned for Memorial Day at our house and our Grand-nieces Eleanor (7) and Zelda (3) were sooooo excited... but alas it RAINED all weekend so instead of doing outside fun activities all we could do was jump in puddles!!! So of course, we did inside art projects and music sessions, and it was a hoot to introduce the kids to different musical sounds and instruments!!!
JUNE was my first month of doing LIVE CONCERTS which was fabulous! Vibraphonist Stefan Bauer invited me to be part of his ensemble at the Settler's Inn (along with Tony Marino on Bass and Adam Nussbaum on drums) he had such a great sound and wonderful compositions that it was a delight! Also in June, our niece Gina married John and we were able to be there to share their LOVE! I also did a wonderful LiveStream concert with my Sonic-Twist partner, guitarist Bruce Arnold to ring out the month.
JULY was a busy month, as I had a gig again at the Settler's Inn with my "Family Band" of Teri Roiger on keys, John Menegon on bass and Joe Lovano on Drums for a rollicking evening of "Jazz on the Deck". When we got home I went and picked up my 18 paintings that had been hanging in the "Berkshire Bank" exhibit since January... and then rang out the month with another "Family Band" gig, this time adding Bruce Arnold on guitar at a great outdoor stage at "the Brewery at Orange County Hops" in Walden, NY! Proprietor Michael Antonelli sat in with us for some tunes and we had a ball!
In AUGUST my family and those adorable little girls came back for another visit and we had gorgeous weather! Lots of Fun out in Nature and more painting and Music! I finished my very first Pet Portrait commissioned by some folks whose daughter has an adorable doggie, just in time for a big wind storm which resulted in a TREE falling on our house... WOW, that was a shocker and I spent the next 4 days lining up our Insurance and Adjustors and Tree Service people to fix the damage. Luckily the tree didn't fall very far and didn't penetrate into the house very deep, so it was taken care of fairly easily. Still, it was a lot of dealing with all different ways the house had to be fixed! All done now!
Here we are in September already, and we had flooding in our entire back yard after Hurricane Ida dumped lots of rain up the East Coast. We had "lakefront property" for a few days but the water went down, gratefully, before it got to our house!!! Now we are here to celebrate another niece, Marrissa's marriage to Justin. I had a big challenge these past few weeks with feeling Vertigo but after my ENT Doctor did the "Epley Maneuver" on me, it has subsided and I hope it never comes back! yikes! So far so good....
So... this month, I have 2 paintings hanging in the “Still Life Exhibit” at the Wallkill River School of Art and Gallery, at 232 Ward Street (Route 17K), Montgomery NY 12549 which is open Fri-Sun from Noon - 5pm! Stop by to see all the wonderful exhibits in this historic building “The Patchett House”, which houses 4 different Gallery spaces! And, another 2 paintings in the Cornwall Artists Collective Exhibit. I hope you will come to see the wonderfully diverse artwork of these painters at Blooming Grove Antiques, 436 Blooming Grove Turnpike (Route 94), New Windsor, NY 12553. More details on my Paintings page.
Also, Sunday, OCTOBER 17, 2021 I'll be doing another Third Sunday Jazz Livestream with Cheryl Pyle’s BEYOND GROUP. This is ONLINE at 4pm-5pm. Musicians will be: Cheryl Pyle, Haruna Fukazawa, Gene Coleman: Flutes, Michael Eaton, Sam Newsome: Saxophones, Judi Silvano: Voice and Claire de Brunner: Bassoon. For the ZOOM LINK, contact me or one of the other musicians. I'm also thrilled to sing in Michael Eaton's Recording Session of his new compositions in NYC.
That's it for now - I hope you and yours are staying careful and healthy and happy! I am practicing Gratitude for all the beautiful spirits in the world we live in! Thank you for listening and watching and sharing the love! Judi Silvano
December 2020
Hello everyone and thank you for visiting my website! In fact, this is the New and Improved Design that was just completed over the summer and rolled out this Autumn! I have a lot to share about what I’ve been up to since my last update in July… but first…
I hope this note finds you and your loved ones staying safe and healthy. Here we are entering the Holiday Season already! I have many family members and friends who have gotten the Covid19 Virus, and thankfully most had a mild version and are recuperated. But there is much to be learned about possible longterm effects so I am following all the developing information to learn how to best protect ourselves. We have unfortunately lost many friends and musical figures on the scene and there is a lot to ponder about what’s going on in the world.
I have much to be grateful for and being a musician and artist has helped me to stay balanced and maintain my equilibrium when I feel frustrated and overwhelmed! Which is just about every day at some point! So here are a few things that stand out in my corner of the world.
First, I’m thrilled to announce that a long-term project of mine is in the process of being finally released! My frequent collaborator guitarist and composer Bruce Arnold and I have been releasing tracks every week since September and all through the autumn in preparation for the release of our 3rd album together in January 2021! It is called “UNITY” and the musical co-compositions of our Electro-Acoustic Duo is called “Sonic Twist”, continues my vision of bringing Music and Dance together as part of my life’s expression. I am thrilled that in addition to deep intuitive connection I have found with Mr. Arnold, I have had the good fortune to also have a working relationship with Videographer Michal Shapiro on this project. I invited dancers Maria Mitchell and Hilary Brown to interpret tracks of their choice for this album and their amazing movement choices brought a new dimension to our sounds, and then Ms. Shapiro brought her unique perspective to connecting all the elements to fashion a unique video for each composition. The result are a series of evocative musical videos that show a full artistic statement of music and dance and storytelling. Bravo to All and Thank you! For more information about The album and videos and music see: www.Sonic-Twist.com
Also I’m more than thrilled to be part of an album “Dancing On The Edge” on Dot Time Records, that was just released in October. It is a new recording from the Kaleidoscope Quintet, made up of saxophone legends Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano, vocalist Judi Silvano, bassist Tony Marino and drummer Michael Stephans. Recorded live at the Deer Head Inn in 2013, Dancing On The Edge is a striking live performance that showcases the boundless artistic possibilities when five distinctive musical voices come together as one. Also, an original painting by Judi Silvano’s was commissioned especially for this project and will grace the cover. https://www.dottimerecords.com/product/kaleidoscope-quintet-dancing-on-the-edge/
Best Wishes for your continued Happiness and Good Health! Judi Silvano
July 2020
It seems the past 6 months have flown by at such a speed that a lot of it is a blur, so these days I am practicing gratitude for the slower pace of life in this challenging time in our lives. I am taking this opportunity to focus on the things that I love and allow myself to nurture a balance in my daily life. By focusing on the Beauty of Nature and Music and Art, I am able to counterbalance the level of the energy that comes of watching the news unfold every day.
That being said, I have also been embracing the increased level of communication on the internet that has become necessary and getting comfortable with learning new skills. I am also painting quite a bit and re-working my Website Paintings page to make my art more accessible and available as I plan to post the new series of “Pandemic Paintings” that is filling my studio! Please check them out as we move along.
While contemplating the many issues before us in the Covid19 pandemic, I remembered that a number of years ago I recorded “Living Room” by Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach and that the lyric is so reminiscent of what we are experiencing now. We are staying at home, we are “streaming live concerts from our living rooms”, we fear infection from contact with others, we are observing the reaction to violence in our society and see the growing awareness of prevalent racism in our world. This song is an anti-dote to that sense of social foreboding... It’s an upbeat tune that dances along with exciting lyrics about needing space and the room to love and to play in order to feel good and thrive!
So here is a NEW VIDEO of Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach’s song “Living Room” which features 26 of Judi Silvano’s Paintings with Music and Dance themes and abstractions of the movement of life. Please Subscribe to my YouTube channel (no fee) to receive notice of upcoming videos as they are posted.
What else have I been up to? Being home so much, I am weeding the garden more than I have in years! And I’ve witnessed every flower that graces our yard since it was planted years ago! I am also painting, writing music and poetry. After many years of playing in ensembles, I am enjoying sounds and spaces at home as Solo and even sometimes with others on Zoom! Joe Lovano and I have done a series of “Livestreams” as a duo which has allowed for my painting a new canvas in real-time. Talk about Visual Improvisation – wow! This time at home has also lead me to practice my student Gemeinhardt flute and to play piano without expectation. Improvisation is a great tool for connecting with one’s deep and personal expression of the rhythms of Life. Listen and Flow. I am also recording short Solo videos of favorite songs, which I will post eventually.
A long-term project with my frequent collaborator, guitarist Bruce Arnold, is that we have been preparing an album of New Compositions. This will be the 3rd of our Electro-Acoustic Duo “Sonic Twist” and given the state of affairs in our world, as of yet the release is unscheduled. Also in the works is a series of collaborations with artist/videographer Michal Shapiro which features dancers Maria Mitchell and Hilary Brown seen interpretating the music of “Sonic Twist”. I envision releasing a DVD so people can enjoy the music and dance together as a full artistic statement. Stay tuned for more news about these upcoming releases!
I am so grateful for the friends and colleagues with whom I have worked and shared so many magical moments in musical collaboration. I know we will continue to learn and grow during this extended period of time at home, and I look forward to sharing more moments of transcendance together. Stay home, stay safe and stay healthy!
Big Virtual Hugs – Judi Silvano
December 2019
Wow! What a phenomenal year we have all experienced and witnessed!
Thanks to everyone who came out to a LIVE CONCERT, watched, listened or purchased a Download or CD of my MUSIC ALBUMS, or came to one of my ART EXHIBITS or purchased an Original or Print of one of my PAINTINGS.
I feel Blessed to share my expressions of Life and Love and send each of you Best Wishes for Healthy and Safe holiday season and into our new year 2020!
The short rundown of all my 2019 activities is that I had many and varied LIVE performances with the wonderful musicians I’ve been collaborating with through the years. 3 new Albums have been released including LESSONS LEARNED (Unit Records) with all my Original Songs and Lyrics, and CLOUDWALKING (Muse-Eek) of electro-acoustic Duets with guitarist Bruce Arnold where we have co-written compositions, arrangements and improvisations together. Last year we released LISTEN TO THIS, our first foray into Duo Improvisations. These led me to re-ignite my passion for the Music and Dance connection and with the collaboration with Artist and Videographer Michal Shapiro, we have been working on visual statements to our sounds. There is a plan to release a DVD of these “art films” and “music videos” in the coming year - so keep in touch! Meanwhile I produced 3 concerts of LIVE Music and Dance collaborations with Contemporary Dance and Flamenco Music and Dance, which was such a pleasure!
In addition, my husband Joe Lovano and I celebrated our 35th Anniversary and this has fueled a renewed appreciation of the Power of Love and the Beauty of Creativity in our world and I also had my third Solo Art Exhibition of my newest works called “Creative Diversity” in the Hudson Valley where we reside. Please visit my Paintings page on this website to see many of my works!
Have a Safe and Peaceful and Healthy Holiday Season and New Year! Love and Music - Judi
February 2019
This has been an exciting year with the release of my latest album “Lessons Learned” with my Zephyr Band on Unit Records (Switzerland). It has been a thrill to play this music and because of the great musicians I am so fortunate to play with, the music has stayed fresh. These are all my original songs and lyrics. A special thank you to the band which includes Kenny Wessel, guitar, Bruce Arnold, processed guitar, Adam Kolker, bass clarinet, soprano & tenor sax, Ratzo B. Harris, bass and Bob Meyer, drums. I asked the amazing Joe Lovano to produce the session for me and he helped me express each of my stories in a very personal way. He also contributed his signature tenor sax sound on two tracks. We have been receiving glowing reviews from journalists and radio hosts in the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, and South Africa. I am so grateful for their appreciation of this continued focus of presenting my original songs and lyrics. Please see the reviews page on this site for some of their words.
I want to announce that a new album of my Sonic-Twist duo with the amazing Bruce Arnold on processed guitar with Super Collider, called “CLOUDWALKING” will be released very soon. I am singing acoustically but through some electronic effects on this totally improvised outing of soothing soundscapes.
On the visual art front, I had a wonderful year of exploring acrylic paintings as well as the other media I enjoy including watercolor, encaustic, oil, and multimedia. I have been working in larger format to capture some of the movement of my musical subjects and feelings that have inspired me. Please check my paintings page on this site.
Thank you to all of the friends and fans who have given me so much support in my creative expression. It would be a very lonely place without you to share it with me! Wishing YOU and YOURS a great 2019! JUDI
February 2018
It’s almost Spring and hope springs eternal! It’s been a weird season weather-wise, yet there’s a lot of inspiring and beautiful music in the air and paintings on the easel!
As the Holiday season has waned, I am looking forward to the beauty of the Spring flowers and the release of my new recording with the amazing Bruce Arnold on guitar “That’s What That Is”. We have been exploring our Electro-Acoustic duo with both of us playing our instruments through electronic effects while Improvising contemporarious songs.
Bruce plays his Guitar through SuperCollider and my vocals go through Eventide effects. We both use the wonderful JAM PEDALS and here are a few photos of our visit to the Jam Pedal Booth at the NAMM show last month. Thanks to all the folks there, especially founder, engineer and guitarist Jannis Anastasakis Marinos and Emmanuel Vourakis. I will post some photos on the Photos page here.
I invite you to check out an Interview that I was honored to do for the JazzBluesNews.space website. I had a chance to share my thoughts about music and art and how I got to where I am these days. Thanks to Simon Sargysyan for asking me such thoughtful questions! Click this link to read:
I’m also thrilled to become part of a new artist website that features many wonderful works by (outdoor) Plein Air painters. Please check out some of my works that are for sale (hint, hint!) at http://pleinair.store/judi-silvano.html and feel free to contact me about any of my other paintings that are also shown on my website here on the Paintings page.
Stay warm and safe and rest up – the Spring Frolics are coming soon! Wishing You All the best of Love and Music! Judi
December 2017
Hello everyone - I wish you and yours a peaceful and healthy Holiday Season! I have been blessed with much love and many activities these past months and would like to share some of what is coming up with you.
Having done several wonderful DUO concerts with the brilliant improvising guitarist Bruce Arnold this year, we are preparing to release our new ALL-IMPROVISED Electro-Acoustic recording “THAT”S WHAT THAT IS” in February of the coming year. (label tbd)
Also, I'm thrilled to be releasing a New Set of my Original Songs all with NEW LYRICS in April, 2018 on the Swiss Label Unit Records.
“LESSONS LEARNED” features my Zephyr Band with
Kenny Wessel, guitar
Bruce Arnold, processed guitar
Adam Kolker, bass clarinet, soprano and tenor sax
Ratzo Harris, bass
Bob Meyer, drums
with a European tour planned for Autumn 2018.
As for live gigs, we hope to see you at one!
Sat’y February 3, 2018 with the WIDE OPEN MUSIC series as part of:
In the Moment of Now: Joe Lovano at BROOKLYN CONSERVATORY CONCERT HALL
Saty APRIL 14 – John Menegon CD Release “Quartet East” at Kitano Jazz Club
JULY 1 – 31, 2018 Art Exhibit: Judi Silvano Paintings
The Cornwall Public Library, 395 Hudson Street, Cornwall, NY 12518
June or Sept (TBD) Art Exhibit: Judi Silvano Paintings
Greenwood Lake Public Library, 79 Waterstone Road, Greenwood Lake, NY 10925
September/October 2018 - European Tour: “LESSONS LEARNED” Zephyr Band CD
So I hope to see you somewhere along the way! best wishes to all!
June 2017
HAPPY SUMMER EVERYBODY!!!
I have some MUSIC EVENTS and ART NEWS to share with you Soooooooo, I hope you enjoy reading about what I'm up to these days!
Painting above is of SHEILA JORDAN in Watercolor and Markers on Rice Paper
I Hope to SEE you and/or HEAR FROM YOU soon!
Int’l Society of Bassists Convention
Frederic Alarie, Acoustic Bass (Quebec)
with Judi Silvano, Voice (New York)
Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
June 8, 2017, 5pm set
2 String Instruments: Bass and Voice: Acoustic and Electro-Acoustic interpretations of Standard Songs including Thelonious Monk plus Original Songs and Improvisations.
Website for Schedule
Sketch of Frederic Alarie by Judi Silvano in Quebec 2015<-WBGO
Art Gallery presents
The Art of Jazz: Performing Artists as Visual Artists
Opening Art Reception: Musicians Who Paint
The WBGO Gallery is located at 54 Park Place in Newark, NJ. It's free and open to the public. WBGO is a wheelchair accessible facility.
Thursday, June 8, Reception 6PM - 8PM
Join us for a free gallery reception, meet the artists and enjoy a live performance. This exhibit is curated by photographer Tony Graves and WBGO host Sheila Anderson. It includes paintings and photographs by jazz musicians, including: Tony Bennett, Don Braden, Will Calhoun, Gerald Cannon, Mino Cinnelu, Honi Gordon, Dick Griffon, Oliver Lake, Peter Leitch, Carmen Lundy, Perez, Bucky Pizzarelli, Judi Silvano and Sonelius Smith.
This Gallery reception is sponsored by Wines of South Africa.
You can also visit the WBGO gallery during regular business hours, M-F, 9AM to 5PM.
WEBSITENeil Alexander’s Annual “Summer Solstice Concert”
Safe Harbors Lobby at The Ritz Theater, 107 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550
Saturday, June 17, 8pm concert
Non-Denominational Spiritually-themed Music to celebrate and welcome the Summer season with members of Neil’s group NAIL and guests from the region, including vocalist Judi Silvano. There will also be a collection of non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.
845-784-1199 and WEBSITE FOR CONCERT INFONYC ElectroAcoustic Festival presents: Judi Silvano and Bruce Arnold Duo “Travel Chant”
Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street (at Pitt St), NY NY 10002
Wednesday June 21, 8pm concert
Judi Silvano, Vocals with Eventide effects and Bruce Arnold, Guitar with SuperCollider effects play “Travel Chant” from their new release “Listen To This” on Muse-Eek.
*WEBSITE for CONCERT*Reminder: OUR NEW ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC DUO RECORDING availalble NOW!
LISTEN TO THIS!!! JUDI SILVANO and BRUCE ARNOLD Adventurous Electronic Excursions, Ruminations and Soundscapes
Electro-Acoustic Project...Guitar and Voice Duets Available for Purchase and Download
To order digital download or physical copy:
PURCHASE HERE: or Judi Silvano's website!
COVER DESIGN of LISTEN TO THIS is by Artist Michal Shapiro.**Here is our first commentary!!
“This music is not jazz,” I was told by the person who asked me to write about it. Well, not that Wynton Marsalis would recognize it as such, but through all the amazing electronics, vocalist Judi Silvano’s phrasing, inflections, and improvisatory reactions and guitarist Bruce Arnold’s lush harmonies at least show jazz’s genetic imprint on this new creation...“Remembrances” ... electronically harmonized multiple Silvano voices... the slow ballad “Complete Embrace,” with no electronic manipulation of Silvano’s voice and, after the opening fanfare, a relatively straightforward wash of guitar harmonies... it’s a hybrid: half torch song, half art song, with emotiveness and lushness... Of course, the definitive breakdown of musical categorization was delivered in 1962 by Duke Ellington: “There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind.” Trust me, you should file this album in the Good Music section. Steve Holtje 2016More News...
I was honored with an HONORABLE MENTION last month for my painting "Landscape with Moon" by the MIDDLETOWN ART GROUP, on view at Orange County Community College! Thank you to all the judges and colleagues who voted for my Encaustic Oil Painting. Thank you for the support in what I love!Look for NEW CD Release and tour dates later this year!
Vocal Improvisor JUDI SILVANO mixes it up with her ZEPHYR 2-GUITAR GROUP with exciting Silvano Originals, ALL NEW LYRICS, Dance Grooves and unique Improvisations. The 2-guitar formation sets the stage for extended rhythmic interplay while the Voice with Saxophone weave the melodic fabric of these Tales of Life and Love!Band includes: Kenny Wessel (guitar), Bruce Arnold (processed guitar), Adam Kolker (reeds), Ratzo Harris (bass), Bob Meyer ( drums), Todd Isler (percussion) and Special Guest Joe Lovano (tenor sax)! Featuring Judi's NEW LYRICS and NEW SONGS and STORIES!