Turning Point

In this CD, Elizabeth illustrates the importance of her American Indian Roots, as well as her love for traditional gospel and blues. Allan Phillips' production and arrangements enhance her sound but never distract; they are the keys that unlock her vocals. This music exudes the confidence, power and spirituality possessed by Elizabeth St. John - Ahote`. Her music is her - confident but always searching, proud but humble. She sings about what matters to her - how to live in the 21st century and still hang on to your soul.



ELIZABETH ST.JOHN - AHOTE`: Mestiza from Montana, she grew up with a mother who sang folk music and who loved jazz, and with an exceptionally gifted jazz and classically trained musician father.

While studying in Seattle, both jazz and classically, Elizabeth was immersed in a prolific arts scene. Her influences ranged any where from workshops with Betty Carter to Sam Rivers, to singing opera. Throughout her life she has interpreted the original songs of the songwriters and musicians she was surrounded by, in miriad genre and styles.

Now in Turning Point, interspersed with a few traditional works and spiced with Innocence, a song written by producer and arranger Allan Phillips, she delivers her own poignant songwriting. Hers is an expression borne of a relentless search for identity, both ancestral and creative. With a love and reverence for traditional Native American music, she stretches the genre naturally.

Vocal interpretation in various languages being a forte for Elizabeth, Turning Point features the Indian Prayer, or Great Spirit Prayer in a Lakota translation gifted to her by Grandfater Wallace Black Elk in 2001. With Grandfather's encouragement, the prayer is also recorded in Apache, the language of her grandmother, as well as in Spanish and French. (To be released.)

You might ask at this point: what kind of music does she sing? I wish I could easily tell you. On this recording she commands blues, Native American prayers, gospel, ballads and jazz. I can't tell you what her niche is. She sounds powerful and sexy one minute, then spiritual and soft the next. Her voice has always illustrated her complex personality. Her music is her - confident but always searching, proud but humble. She sings about what matters to her - how to live in the 21st century and still hang on to your soul.

In this CD, Elizabeth illustrates the importance of her American Indian Roots, as well as her love for traditional gospel and blues. But more important, this recording clearly showcases her talent. Her songs, her vision and the way she wants to present her music are clear. Allan Phillips' production and dynamic accompaniments are the keys that unlock Elizabeth's vocals.

Turning Point is just the tip of the iceberg; clearly St.John has much more to offer. The heart, soul and intelligence of this music are imminent with surprise.
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