Appearing at Jazz in the Wood on April 1st at the Collingswood Community Center, 30 Collings Avenue in Collingswood, NJ, will be jazz vocalist Phyllis Chapell and her band Siora featuring pianist Barry Sames, bassist Chico Huff and Francois Zayas on drums/percussion.

One show: 7:30-9PM. Tickets: $10/$5 for students. No advance sales. Free Refreshments! For info: 856-858-8914

Bios:

The ensemble SIORA plays contemporary world jazz: a blend of music from Latin America, Europe,the Middle East, and the U.S., all with their own unique arrangements and the multi-lingual singing of Phyllis Chapell. SIORA has performed in a multitude of venues--from festivals to theatres, schools, and premier jazz clubs--throughout the U.S., in Latin America, and Europe. Their most recent international performance took place at the Quito Jazz Festival in Quito, Ecuador, in 2007. http://www.siorajazz.com/

Please note: This will be the first performance of Siora since the sudden death of pianist Dan Kleiman a month ago.

Barry Sames (piano)is active in jazz vespers concerts, performing in churches nationwide. Barry was also jazz artist-in-residence at First United Methodist Church in Philadelphia (1997-2000). While in the residency, he was able to write original works for choir and various ensembles including jazz, gospel, Brazilian, African and Latin, and utilized musical talent from Philadelphia.

Chico Huff (bass), an all-around mainstay in the Philly area, has played with James Taylor, Carly Simon, Solas, Jeff Golub, Jef Lee Johnson, John Belushi, Richard Elliott, and more.

Drummer and percussionist Francois Zayas was born in Cuba and has played in the Orquesta Sinfnica Nacional de Cuba and toured internationally with various Cuban bands, in addition to playing with