| Biography " JOHNNIE EASON HAS THE EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY TO CAPITIVATE AND TENDERLY EMBRACE YOU WHILE CONVEYING DESTINATIONS OF DREAMS THROUGH THE WONDERFUL STORIES SHE UNFOLDS. CARL ANTHONY, W.C.L.K., FM, ATLANTA, GA. Johnnie Eason is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, where she received her primary and secondary education. She began singing in her church at the age of five with her mother's encouragement. She later became the featured soloist and guest soloist in other churches throughout the Mid West and East. A student of THE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC Ms. Eason became an accomplished traditional jazz vocalist. Her voice is that of smoke and sation in the reminiscence of Sarah Vaughn, the clarity of Carmen mcCrae, the innocence of Gloria Lynn, the smoothness of Nancy Wilson, the earthy sound of Cissy Houston and the uniqueness and energy of Ella Fitzgerald. The quality and style of her three-octave range is creative, dynamic, and soul stirring. It communicates tasteful sensitivity and grace while demanding an emotional response from her audience. Her performances in the United States and a-broad, include Night Clubs, Supper Clubs, Jazz and Blues Festivals, Colleges, Concert Halls and the Theater, Private and Corporate Functions. It was no wonder that she was scheduled to perform in the 1996 OLYMYPIC GAMES in Atlanta, Georgia. She also was selected to perform at THE 19th ANNUAL SOUTHERN ARTS EXCHANGE, where she introduced her premier jazz album " IF THIS IS LOVE ". Her CD was selected by THE SOUTHERN ARTS FEDERATION'S JAZZ SOUTH RADIO, airing both nationally and internationally. " JOHNNIE EASON SINGS LIKE AN INSTRUMENT IN SONG WITH A MELODIC SOUND, MOST OF ALL I LIKE HER" BEN TUCKER, RENOWNED JAZZ BASSIST, HANNAH'S EAST JAZZ NIGHT CLUB ". Ms. Eason " AN ALUMNI AND WINNER AT THE FAMOUS APOLLO THEATER" and her band " THE FRIENDS OF JAZZ" attract standing room only audiences while being captured by her lyrical expressions. Ms. Eason has shared the stage with Johnny O'Neal, Butch Cornell, Ben Tucker, Jay McShan, Honey Cole, Phil Morison Trio, Gary Motley, Clarence Blanchard, Maurice Gordon Ellis Marsalis, Woody Williams, Herman Burney, Maurice Gordon, Ossie Clark, Jimmy Jackson, Freddy Cole, Vic Vogel. She was the opening act for Clarence Blanchard, Maurice Gordon and Vic Vogel. She has performed before Mayor Bill Campbell of Atlanta, Georgia, The Family of Martin Luther King, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Charles Dutton and Peobo Bryson. Ms. Eason is equally comfortable in front a large band or small combo. She encompasses a wide range of song styling from jazz to scat, ballads to blues and pop to country. While performing at " THE PORTMAN RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL" in Shanghai, China, Ms. Eason was honored with privilege of completing a sound track for the movie "X ROADS" that was being filmed in Shanghai. "JOHNNIE EASON IS SHANGHAI'S ELLA FITZGERALD" VIC VOGEL, MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL. While performing at the Tokyo Dome Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, Ms Eason states, it was such a joy to bring jazz to her audience, who were very much taken by her presence and her grace. Much respect and admiration was joyously given. While singing her voice imetted such a soulful and spiratual sound that the parents in the audience gave in to their impulses to have Ms. Eason lay her hand on each of their childrens forehead so that peace and love will be always theirs. " She sings like as if she has been touched by an angel " JEAN-FRANCOIS GOUVRIT, Director OF ENTERTAINMENT, THE PORTMAN RITZ HOTEL, SHANGHAI, CHINA. Ms. Eason was invited by THE UNITED STATES EMBASSY IN KINGSTON, JAMAICA to headline their " AFRO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. Her performance was held in THE FAMOUS DEVON HOUSE AND AT THE EMBASSADOR'S HOME.She was also invited to share in the JAMAICAN SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS along with THE FULBRIGHT FOUNDATION, which finances students in their music studies. Ms.Eason not only performed to a sold out audience, she also led a well received jazz music workshop to educate inner city youth in the beginning and the understanding of jazz. " MS. EASON IS SILENTLY KNOCKING AT THE MUSIC HEARTS" OSSIE CLARKE, THE GLEAMER, KINGSTON, JAMAICA. " I AM IMPRESSED WITH THIS PERFORMER WHOM I BELIEVE IS A CREDIT TO THE IDIOM WITH A LOT OF GOOD THINGS TO COME" SONNY BRADSHAW, PROMINENT LEADER OF JAMAICA'S BIG BAND. "MS EASON'S UNMISTAKEABLE, ARRESTING VOICE, IS AN INTERESTING BLEND OF HUSKINESS. HER LIGHT BUT SMOKEY UPPER RANGE AND A SLIGHT THROATY NASAL SOUND CAN BE APPRECIATED BY ALL WHO HEAR IT. BUS AS A SCHOOLED INSTRUMENT, EMBELLISHED BY HER TECHNICAL CORRECTNESS, TIMING, GOOD DICTION, PHRASING AND INTONATION; IT WORKS WELL" NORMAN MUNROE, ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, JAMAICA OBSERVER. MS. EASON COMMUNICATES HER MUSIC THROUGH HER HEART AND HER SOUL. IT IS NO WONDER THAT SHE IS KNOWN AS THE SINGER'S SINGER |
