Johanna

If I Could Fly Johanna

Johanna Beekman's album, If I Could Fly, is an engaging, eclectic collection of songs about longing, loving, and learning. On this CD Johanna's soaring voice is backed by a talented crew of musicians, including Halie Loren, Neal Gladstone, Audrey Perkins, John Shipe and other singers and players who've made their marks in rock, folk, jazz, classical, world beat, electronic, and a cappella music. The 14 tracks on the CD draw on a wide variety of styles: alternative folk-rock, indie pop, gospel, reggae, funk, piano jazz, a capella, and electronica. In spite of the stylistic diversity, the CD has a cohesive flow. The unifying factors are Johanna's rich, creative vocals, her infectious melodies, and her provocative, heart-felt lyrics. Listening to If I Could Fly from beginning to end is like taking a personal journey with a close friend. Johanna Beekman wrote her first song at 9 years old. By the time she was 20 she had released her first album of original music, studied songwriting with Chris Williamson and Tret Fure, musical improvisation with jazz singer Rhiannon and rhythm-master Keith Terry, performed in musical theatre, rock and world-beat bands, gospel and women's community choirs, improvisational acting and singing troupes, social action theatre groups, films (including Gus Van Sant's Sundance Award-winning "Elephant"), and countless festivals, political rallies, clubs, coffee houses, colleges, and universities. Johanna's music draws from a variety of styles: the soulful melodiousness of Carol King, the emotional depth of Sarah McLachlan, the soaring harmonies of Grace Slick, the indie edge of Ani DiFranco, and the improvisational unpredictability of Bobby McFerrin. She frequently performs as a solo artist, with her band, and as a guest artist for community choir concerts.