LIVE STREAMS EVERY WEEKEND!
Simultaneity…..
As a vocal stylist / acoustic bassist , Julie Poncé is unique in her
field. The Julie Poncé Experience with the other memebers of her band, all accomplished and well known performers in their own right, ignite into some hard-swinging,
Chicago-style Jazz. Tender ballads and contemporary versions of danceable standards and pop and county songs in English, Spanish and Japanese are also showcased in her performances, recordings and videos.
You've come a long way from the Peoria Symphony, lady
Jaws wired shut, hospitalized after the car accident which waylaid a
conservative musical career, having been slated to become a flute-playing
Fulbright Composition Scholar in Milan, Italy, Julie lay listening to the
voice of her musician father. He stood by the foot of her bed, an old
electric bass in his arms. "Remember when they said you chose the
wrong instrument—that you're a natural on strings? Well, here's your
chance."
Papa knows best
Julie Poncé's first professional gig at 14, in her dad's orchestra, was
where the vocal magic began. But her list of credentials as back-up
bassist and opening act since then reads like a Who's Who? of the
entertainment industry: Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Bobby Enriquez, Richie
Cole, Joe Farrell, Ira Sullivan, Eddie Palmerie, Cuchito Valdez Jr.,
Samuel Del Real, B.B. King, Pete Fountain, Maynard Ferguson's Big
Band, Buddy Rich, The Warren Covington's Tommy Dorsey Band, Lou
Rawls, Al Green, Jackie Wilson, Bob Hope, Julian D'Rosa, Blood, Sweat &
Tears, REO Speedwagon, and many more have all been on her roster.
In 1985, Julie met her husband, jazz legend Tommy Poncé. They performed together at all the mainstay clubs as key figures in the Jazz Renaissance that swept over Chicago. "He really felt Bop, not just the style. Whatever came out, you knew that was him, reflecting the despair and ecstasy of the moment", said the Chicago Tribune's Larry Kart of Tommy. Julie responds: "And that is what he gave to me--the realization and direction to make music the window to my soul." After his death, Julie performed throughout the Untied States, the Far East, Asia, Europe, Central America.
A surprising diversion
During her classical studies and at her Masters Degree recital of Avant Garde music, Julie's father, a well accomplished musician in his own right said to her, "The idea that you could notate this music is unbelieveable, but can't you write a country or pop hit?" " I got a job doing research of Appalacian music for an instructor of mine and got very interested in country music of the United States. I started writing country songs with a great deal of humor, sadness and just having to do with plain living. I love these songs because they tell of the human condition through all phases of life and love. Right now I am working on a world song that highlights how our world is changing for the good. It's very powerful and its message is quite revelant for the times we now live in," states Julie. Be on the look out for the official online version of "Changes Are Coming".
As you listen…..
CD "Window to My Soul"
It's the combination of strength and vitality as a bass artist and her lulling
femininity as a songstress. There's so much to see and hear in her. Jazz
aficionado Lori Martin agrees: "It's the depth of her soul that grabs you
and closer to the song". Yes, Julie Poncé's performance touches you and
brings you closer to the song, closer to the performance, and more closely
down the path of emotions we all have traveled.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.