Ellen Johnson - Chinchilla Serenade (1997)

This is the follow up to Ellen's first CD "Too Good To Title" and features a variety of songs with a contemporary twist. Once again Ms Johnson manages to delight us to her unique versions of standards while bursting out with exciting Brazilian rhythms mixed with inspiring gospel settings and original compositions.

Bruce Crowther of Jazz Journal International called this CD "high quality jazz music that blends the jazz singing tradition with a contemporary outlook and is all superbly performed by consummate artists".
Arnaldo Desouteiro of the Tribuna Bis Rio De Janeiro said of Ms Johnson: "Superb technique and strong emotional expression incorporating dramatic effects on the same level as Mark Murphy and improvises with the mannerisms of Urszula Dudziak".

Ellen's interply with her accompanists, which include piano, bass, guitar, drums, percussion, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and clarinet is exemplary. There is an exhilarating wordless harmony with guitarist Peter Sprague on "Samba Ulla" , a vivid bass and voice interaction on "You Turned the Tables on Me" and a seamless version of "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper reminisent of the Miles Davis interpretation.

Ellen has managed to gain critical recognition for both of her CD's being selected as Editior's Choice in Cadence Magazine and the shortlist for top vocal albums in Jazz Journal International 1999.