Well Remembered - Johanna Graham
Well Remembered is a heartfelt retrospective from acclaimed jazz vocalist Johanna Graham, capturing the essence of her musical journey. This collection features early recordings that showcase the raw charm of her budding artistry, alongside collaborations with the usual crew musicians such as Martin Bowie, Tim Greenhaugh, and including early work with drummer Nick McLeod. Highlights include performances with the Johanna Graham Quartet and a captivating swing rendition of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O Mine.”
Johanna’s voice has been lauded for its emotive depth and versatility. Jazzwise Magazine describes her as a “fine singer with a palpably individual style,” while All About Jazz notes her “intriguing and approachable” vocal approach, with “spot-on intonation and ideal rhythmic nuance.”
Well Remembered is more than an album; it’s Johanna’s humble offering to the world—a tapestry of moments that have shaped her as an artist. Through these tracks, listeners are invited to experience the evolution of a voice that continues to enchant and inspire.
Radiant Soul – Jastek, Johanna Graham
Following the success of In Devotion, my second mantra album, Radiant Soul, is a heartfelt offering of beautiful mantras designed to bring peace, wholeness, and a deep connection to divinity. This album is a sanctuary of sound, inviting you to rest, recharge, and reconnect. With soothing and nurturing melodies, Radiant Soul provides comfort for the soul and serves as a gentle guide to inner stillness and harmony. Perfect for meditation, relaxation, or simply finding moments of serenity in your day.
In Devotion - Jastek Kaur
British singer and Yogini Jastek Kaur presents her debut album In Devotion with melodies and musical ideas which matured over several years and result in a musical style carried by lightness and joy. Her graceful voice softly reminds us of this lightness, the innate high vibration that we can always invoke with this music.
In Devotion is Jastek Kaur’s first album of work in the world of sacred song. It offers transformational, healing mantras with blissful melodies complimented by her radiantly healing voice. Her background in jazz and love of free expression, lends itself beautifully to the sacred sound current, active within the mantra. This album is perfect for use in Kundalini Yoga, meditation and as a teaching tool, as the tracks are the ideal length for practice. The album soothes the soul and illuminates the heart, and as its name suggests, it is truly ‘In Devotion’ to the Beloved.
The arrangements are kept deliberately reduced, however, perhaps particularly because of this, a wonderful meditative space is created whose doors are open and which invites us to linger. Seven different mantra classics from the Kundalini Yoga tradition offer a wide basis for your own yoga and meditation practice and are just as well perfect as background music. In Devotion is a mantra album that, due to its pleasant unobtrusiveness and the beautiful melodies, can also be run continuously to increase the vibration of a room or yoga space.
Jastek Kaur has been working throughout her life on a karmic theme of creative expression and freedom. Undertaking a deep personal journey to transform and heal her throat chakra led her to become an accomplished jazz singer. Humbly following her path in healing, she has gracefully blossomed into a devotional singer. Jastek’s voice has a notable resonance of truth that soothes the soul and expands the heart.
“I feel deeply blessed to use my voice in devotional song, to work with the sacred sound vibration is my service and my bliss”.
Born in the 1970’s to devotee parents, she has practised meditation from a young age. Jastek was drawn to the practice of Kundalini Yoga through her recognition of the devotion to the beloved and the transformational power of the sacred mantra. She now teaches Kundalini Yoga from her home in Cornwall, UK.
Don’t Let Me Be Lonely - Johanna Graham Quartet
“Don’t Let Me Be Lonely”, the début release from the Penzance-based quartet, lead by Johanna Graham (vocals) a “fine jazz singer with a palpably individual style” Jazz Wise Magazine. The Johanna Graham Quartet, signed to 33Jazz, blends jazz standards with original compositions. Featuring Johanna on vocals, Martin Bowie on guitar, Tim Greenhalgh on double bass, and Damian Rodd on drums, the group has been performing together since 2008. Known for their emotive style and dynamic sound, they’ve captivated audiences across the South West and beyond, including at renowned venues like Pizza Express Soho, 606 Club, and major jazz festivals. Don’t Let Me Be Lonely. Shop here to but a CD or a download. It is also available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify etc… Review written by Nicholas F Mondello and published on allaboutjazz.com
Highlights on the album include a beautifully paced I’m Through With Love, James Taylor’s classic Don’t Let Me Be Lonely, plus Empty Serenade, one of a brace of self-penned songs by the singer and her guitarist, Martin Bowie. Fringe Magnetic’s Rory Simmons guests on trumpet and contributes some fine solos, while the singer’s bandmates provide the perfectly weighted and understated accompaniment, with unfussy arrangements courtesy of Bowie. All About Jazz praised the album as “a musically satisfying journey.”
