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Joanne Juskus Builds a 'Sound Foundation' by Maria Villafana, Washington Post.com/MP3 Producer Wednesday, August 27, 2003
The Sound Foundation -- Joanne Juskus's new singer-songwriter series -- debuts Sept. 6 at the Patterson, a 1930s-era movie house turned arts center located about a mile from Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Juskus had been searching for alternative quarters for her monthly Bottom Floor showcase since last spring. When the Patterson opened its doors in May, she knew she had found "the place". So after its June performance at St. John's United Methodist Church of Hamilton, the long-running Bottom Floor series packed its bags for the Patterson. "We knew we needed to move," says Juskus. "The Patterson was gutted as part of the new cultural redevelopment of the city. It will have a cafe, which is not open yet, and a bar. It has a beatiful art gallery and a theater with great acoustics for film and music that holds a little over 200 people. Upstairs there are lofts for artists in residence. It was a match made in heaven." A new home called for a change of name and after an internal contest, staffer Govinda Joseph came up with the one that stuck -- the Sound Foundation. But little else has changed. "A portion of the series' proceeds," says Juskus, will continue "to address the issues that are troubling the city" by supporting "socially conscious programs for the homeless, domestic violence and substance abuse." And, the music remains a mix of local, regional and national singer-songwriters from a variety of genres. Inaugerating the Sound Foundation stage is the DC-based all-girl funk-rock band Zeala. Now a seven-piece group (trombonist Stefanie Gogerty is the latest gal to join), Zeala encompasses some excellent players. Its songwriters aren't too shabby either. Lea assumes bass and vocal duties in the group. Lisa Taylor sits on drums and contributes vocals. The writing team of Aura Kanegis ad Avril Smith administers lead vocals and guitar respectively. All these women have defined their own reputations in the local music community and are recognized for their songwriting. Consequently the group's debut CD "West of Wise" is a pretty respectable effort. Several cuts from the new release are on the Zeala MP3 page. In particular listen to "Long Time," sung by its writer Lea with backup vocals from Aura Kanegis, and "Let Go," written and sung by Kanegis and Avril Smith. Also performing that night are Baltimore folk-meets-Middle-Eastern quartet Brian McQuade and the Dharma Bums and the Sound Foundation's host Joanne Juskus, whose Joni-Mitchell-meets-Suzanne-Vega styled verses are well-suited for her breathy soprano. Admission is $10 and sliding scale tickets are also available. Show starts at 8 pm. The Patterson is located at 3134 Eastern Ave. in Baltimore. Website design and watercolors by Joanne Juskus
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