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Band: Elisabeth Lohninger - voice Walter Fischbacher - piano Yuhei Honkawa - bass Junji Hirose - drums Contact: el@elisabethlohninger.com

AUDIO

LIVE at Jazzschmiede Duesseldorf, Dec. 7th, 2012

Press Release
New York City based vocalist Elisabeth Lohninger, in collaboration with Austro-American pianist Walter Fischbacher, has chosen twelve songs from disparate corners of the world in nine different languages to create an international cornucopia of Christmas music. At times joyful, at times pensive but always hopeful, the set is firmly rooted in the jazz idiom.

"Christmas is a significant holiday in numerous parts of the world. In countries as far-flung as Japan and Brazil people celebrate Christmas with songs in their native language: folk songs, songs written for church and even pop songs," says Lohninger. "I chose the songs on this CD because they resonate with me - especially around that time of year: they are a harbinger of light, hope and life."

Click HERE for a translation of the song lyrics.

PRESS

LA Times: FOUR STARS! "Sometimes reflective, sometimes joyous--and everything in-between-her small but protean jazz band thoughtfully addresses the material... Give singer Lohninger an A...."
- Kirk Silsbee

"What separates Christmas in July from most other straight-ahead holiday recordings is its intelligence. The arrangements make the songs and Lohninger holds steady with a most demanding repertoire."
- C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

"Christmas In July doesn't bash the listener with disproportionate Seasonal cheer-Lohninger truly interprets and inhabits the songs in a down-to-Earth, unassuming way. [It] is one of those rare albums that will remain on many folks' playlists long after the Holiday hangover is, uh, over."
- Mark Keresman, Jazz Inside, New York

"Lohninger shows off her impressive vocal chops while taking a trip around the musical world. .. Her ear for dialects is astounding, and her band makes sure that the multicultural music behind her is infused with a good amount of jazz to keep it cohesive and fresh."
- Jazz Scene - Oregon's Jazz Magazine

"Christmas in July is wondrous. Led by a charming, intelligent vocalist with a cunning, tight band providing snow-kissed atmosphere, this is one Christmas album worth spinning again and again."
- Jordan Richardson, blogcritics.org

"Fronting a band headed up by brothers Axel and Walter Fishbacher (guitar, piano), she fills Christmas In July with a dozen songs from across the globe - and sings them in nine languages, from Italian to Japanese to Portuguese to Swedish.... (don't) miss the lovely effect of Lohninger's silky alto, her command of all those languages, a touch of inspired scatting, and a raft of global holiday songs far removed from the usual fare." - Neil Tesser, Chicago Jazz Music Examiner

"Eine knackige Weihnachs-CD! ..Weihnachtslieder "from all over the world" sind hier munter entschlackt worden. Mel Tormes "Christmas "Song" wird mit einem frechen Zitat von Coltranes "Giant Steps" eingeleitet...Von Lohninger wird man noch viel hören - und Weihnachten ist für den Jazzfreund gerettet."
- Rolf Thomas, Jazzthing

 

Elisabeth Lohninger, Voice
	In a career that has taken her from the slopes of the Austrian alps, where she sang folk songs as a young girl, to jazz clubs, concert halls and the stages of international jazz festivals, vocalist Elisabeth Lohninger has proven herself to be a powerful and elusive talent. Growing up in a small Austrian mountain village (population 25), Lohninger started singing in school and church choirs. At the age of six, she joined her two sisters in what would become a nationally renowned vocal group specializing in the songs of her homeland. Driven by her musical curiosity, she soon ventured in other directions and studied classical music and jazz, finishing her studies with a Masters degree in music and English Language and Literature. In 1994, Lohninger relocated to New York and has released seven albums since then. Lohninger is a faculty member at the internationally renowned New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, where she teaches voice and Ear Training.
Walter Fischbacher, Piano
	Pianist Walter Fischbacher's most recent studio release "Journey to Turtleland" (2009, Lofish Music) has been called "inspired" and "super funky" by jazz reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. Fischbacher, who has worked with jazz luminaries such as Randy Brecker, George Garzone, Ingrid Jensen, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Chico Freeman, Tim Lefebvre, Joel Rosenblatt and the Vienna Art Orchestra, is originally from Austria. He studied classical piano in Vienna from 1985 -'90, and jazz piano and composition 1990 -'94 at the Conservatory of Vienna. Fischbacher relocated to New York in 1994, where he, in addition to his work as a musician, manages his own recording studio and leads his band, “Phishbacher”. He draws from a vast musical background encompassing not only classical piano repertoire but also the music of jazz piano greats such as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea.