San Diego Reader

Steph Johnson: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Vocals

Genre: Blues & Soul, Jazz, Rock

RIYL: Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Cassandra Wilson

Upcoming Local Shows

• Museum of Photographic Arts — Thursday, June 7, 5:30pm

• Museum of Photographic Arts — Thursday, July 5, 5:30pm

• Museum of Photographic Arts — Thursday, August 2, 5:30pm

Discography

Related Links:

• http://www.myspace.com/stephjohnsonband

• "Steph Johnson Trio Live at 98 Bottles" · April 7, 2012

• Jam Session: "Steph Johnson Live in North Park" · Dec. 18, 2011

• Jam Session: "Steph Johnson Holiday Concert @ Sunset Temple" · Dec. 16, 2011

• Crasher: "Wrestling Nicole" · April 16, 2008

• Blurt: "Hot Shot Bouncer" · April 16, 2008

• Crasher: "Wordsmiths and Shutterbugs" · March 9, 2006

• Crasher: "Stephanie Who?" · Oct. 27, 2005

Video

Synoposis

Influences: Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Tina Turner, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Cassandra Wilson, Donny Hathaway

Background:

Steph Johnson quit her job at a bank in 2009 to concentrate on being a full-time musician. Her song “In the Hood” -- recorded at Jason Mraz’s house -- won the 2008 Your Song competition. Her music is a kind of soul-blues fusion with jazzy overtones and an emphasis on original material.

Whatever you want to call it, Johnson has one hell of a voice. It is smoky, sultry and powerful. She was raised listening to Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, and Donny Hathaway. Not a bad set of influences.

She has flawless pitch, and the ability to transform a lyric into an emotional experience. She can get gritty and almost gravelly, and her range seems to navigate the space between someone like Cassandra Wilson and, maybe Etta James.

Johnson’s first album Genesee was nominated for a 2006 San Diego Music Award. Her 2010 album Mysterious Feminine won Best Jazz Album at that year’s SDMAs.

Shortly after the 2010 SDMA show, her car was stolen on Sunday, September 19. “Thankfully,” she says, “my car was returned. Gutted, but returned. I did however lose approximately $4500 worth of gear (amps, cables, mics) and, most devastatingly, an entire case of my recently winning album.”

She shot a video for her song “Thank You” on February 18, 2011, at Tango Del Rey in Pacific Beach. That Autumn, she was the subject of a cover feature for Kudos Magazine in Sedona, Arizona. Later that year, she debuted a new trio, featuring local jazz heavyweights Rob Thorsen on bass, and Richard Sellers on drums. She usually gigs with keyboardist Leo Dombecki and drummer Jesse Charnow.

How did this new trio come about?

“Rob and I met when we were both playing at the OB Jazz Festival this year, and became Facebook friends, which eventually led to some casual afternoon jam sessions. I shared some of my new music with him. He has really shaped them into something much more than I could have imagined. Richard Sellers came into the picture because my usual drummer was not available, Rob suggested that I call Richard, and I am so glad I did! Wow, the two of them together, calling out ideas, suggesting different sections...it’s like a dream come true for me.”

Johnson plays all over the United States, and has shared the stage with jazz bassist Stanley Clarke and Latin percussion master Poncho Sanchez. Her third full-length was released in 2012.