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Described as "consistantly inventive" (Billboard), "a master of bold interpretation" (Jazz Times), "jazz singing at its cutting edge best" (LA Times), Barbara Sfraga has been on a musical journey that evolved from church organist to rock keyboardist to jazz singer to voicist. In 1989, bass artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan and soundrhythium Michael "T.A." Thompson met kindred spirit collaborated to form Center Search Quest, offering some of the most fun, unbridled jazz you'll ever hear. Center Search Quest is just that: a search for the center of sound and vibration. This ensemble taps into eachother's spirit in such a way that their impovisations become spontaneous compositions. When they ultimately fall into a tune, it's a purely organic occurance. All walls are down, everything is up for grabs and anything can happen. Barbara stepped into The Quest in 2002, after hearing Chris and Michael perform with Roy Campbell¹s Taz at the Lenox Lounge Monday night sessions, and the three embarked on yet another odyssey. They performed together throughout the course of the next 2 years (voice/bass/drums). The next step in Sfraga's musical journey finds her on a path that taps another side of her creativity in an even deeper way. In 2003, "T.A." and triple threat pianist/vocalist/songwriter Mala Waldron began a writing collaboration. Shortly thereafter, they surprised Barbara with material they had written expressly for her, with the invitation to write lyrics to any of the tunes she resonated with. That "gift" put this present journey into motion. Soon after, the unit began regularly writing together toward what would become the Timelessness project. Mala Waldron - who also leads her own group - officially joined the unit in the summer of 2004, and saxophonist/flautist Allen Won came on board shortly after that. Collaborating with these stellar musicians, Sfraga and Center Search Quest are genre-bending their way to a whole new sound. With roots firmly planted in jazz and with the improvizational element always in place, Sfraga and CSQ are on a quest to leave no groove unturned. All five musicians lend their creative -- and sometimes their physical -- voices to this project in three part harmony, with a little spoken word thrown into the pot. It¹s music without borders! Sfraga and CSQ's newest recording, due to be released in the fall of 2005 features mostly their original material, as well as a few familiar surprises. Barbara's previous releases, both very well-received by press and fans alike, are Oh, What a Thrill (Naxos Jazz) and Under the Moon (A440 Music Group). Mala Waldron, Allen Won and Center Search Quest's Christopher Dean Sullivan and Michael "T.A." Thompson also lead their own units respectively. You can read more about those projects, as well as more about Barbara through the website links below. Barbara Sfraga |
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