Susannah Martin, Shondra Jepperson and Jeanie Carroll
VVN photos by Jon Pelletier
If You Go ...
• What: Dynamic Divas Night
• When: June 4, 7pm
• Where: Sedona Creative Life Center
• How Much: $25, Tickets are available in advance at the Jazz Boutique, next to Sedona Bashas' or through the ladies, Shondra 301-8288 or Jeanie (300-0792) or Steve Douglas, 928-202-0761. Tickets will also be available at the show but remember, it was nearly sold out last year, so get them early if you can.
When you go to a concert, you want to feel good and hear a quality presentation. The Dynamic Divas are returning to the stage at the Creative Life Center Great Room June 4 and they set the bar high.
It is the third performance of the Divas. You need to get tickets early since the Divas fill the house for their once annual performance that they promise will offer some surprises. "They won't expect some of the things we are doing," Susannah Martin whispers.
Jeanie Carroll, Shondra Jepperson and Susannah Martin have singular voices fused under the Divas' banner with a powerful five-piece band that accentuates those strengths.
"It's a chance for us to shine in our own unique ways and also to sing harmony with each other and for each other. We love blending and to create that chemistry together, " Martin says.
"There is a mutual admiration thing that warrants all this time and energy for a single evening. And we love it that this is something that is very special for Sedona. Its not like going to a club and where people aren't listening and glasses are clinking in the background," says Jeannie.
All three are well-known in and outside Sedona music circles and regularly do their individual things, but it was a mutual friend Steven Douglas brought the three talents and their harmony together
Shondra says that special combination brings out remarkable things. "They associate me with musical comedy stuff. They don't even know about my rock background. They associate you with Latin jazz and they don't expect you to do Mariah, and Janelle has been doing Sentimental Journey."
Steven may have named them the Divas, but they call themselves the Sisters of Soul. The energy the show brings will give you chills.
From Motown to Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind and Fire, Beatles, popular Broadway favorites, Tina Turner, Shawn Colvin, Pointer Sisters, Dusty Springfield, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Gloria Estefan and Mariah Carey.
Shondra, "I think we are like trapeze artists. The truth is that you have to put yourself in the danger zone. We all crave variety. We are not repeating anything from last year. We don't get a chance to do such a huge variety of music by ourselves and the band is so good, it is like a joy fest up there. Every moment is so yummy." Shondra drools.
It may be a single night, but the girls spend months polishing their show. This year, they started with 50 songs and pared those down to two sets. "We have tightened it down a bit and streamlined the show. We take a song, pick a key and decide who is going to do what part. But it has to be a song that we all like. It is a labor of love."
This project has a really cool feel to it. It is kind of family theater.
Vocalist, entertainer and DJ, Jeanie Carroll has performed around the world and all over the Southwest. She is well known in the area for her many talents. By day, she teaches music, drama, French and Spanish at the West Sedona Elementary School. She can be heard singing bass in the RedRockapella, second tenor in the Flagstaff Master Chorale or fronting the 17-piece Sentimental Journey Band. Her enormous repertoire includes R&B, country, rock, jazz, Spanish and French music and much more. She is much in demand as a DJ, operating "AZ DJ MusicandMore" for more than 18 years.
Shondra Jepperson attended the Juilliard School of Drama in New York. As a partner of Tom and Shondra, she sequences and arranges the duo's music. She has been commissioned to compose, arrange and produce projects for TV and radio as well as corporate work. She is the co-anchor of the Red Rock Television 'Virtual Tour.' She performed her own shows at Sea World, was a featured guest entertainer on cruise lines and led her own Top 40 and show bands throughout Nevada and southern California. She is skilled guitarist, keyboard artist, songwriter, music arranger and producer, and show writer, sound engineer, dancer, mime and voice-over actor. Shondra also operates a highly successful DJ and emcee business.
Originally from San Diego, Susannah Martin returned to the Southwest after a rambling 20-year career that has included two CD releases and has carried her along the West Coast from Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area to the Pacific Northwest and Caribbean, onto cruise ships and Louisville. Susannah is at home whether singing with a jazz combo, as solo guitarist, rockin' with the classics or wailing with funkified soul. Her style ranges from subtle and understated to sultry and molten mezzo to warm cool and cool heat. Martin earned her music degree from Willamette University and has directed jazz choirs, conducted vocal jazz workshops and does some private vocal coaching. During the day, she is the program director for Sedona Jazz on the Rocks. Susannah performs locally with some of Arizona's most renowned musicians. Two more CDs are in the works for the summer. She is captivating, mesmerizing and a delight to listen to.
Backing up the ladies will be Steve Sandner, acoustic grand piano, Bob Murnahan, guitar, AJ Siniaho, trumpet and synthesizer, Kevin McQuaid, drums and Artists in Rhythm owner, Steve Douglas, upright / electric bass. Professional sound provided by Clear Air of Flagstaff. Poster/flyers designed by Vibhas Kendzia. Thanks to Showstoppers for their generous support and to the Javelina Leap winery for intermission refreshments.
