A new song that I am working on called Happy People for my new album Thread. I recorded this on my iphone, jammin late into the night with Amanda Portela on some sweet backing vocals. Girls who stay up late playing and singing are the coolest. :0) 

Bedroom Tapez Vol 1 "Happy People" with Amanda Portela on back vox

About 6 weeks ago one of my closest and most talented friends had a stroke that left half of his body paralyzed. In just 6 weeks, through prayer, perseverance, therapy and lots of love, my good friend Leo is making an unbelievable recovery. I wrote this song for him when I found out what had happened. I am so grateful for this life and I know that he is too. Thank you for listening. 

Quick Live studio session for LEO!! Guest musicians Jesse Charnow (Tablas)

Over the past 5 weeks I had the great opportunity to meet with an inspiring group of students and coach them via a fun self-expression/songwriting workshop I created. For just 30 minutes, twice a week, I'd meet with this crew of writers and musicians to capture their own words and ideas and help them put it all into song. The end result is this live recording of our final session. 

The San Diego Center for Children Academy is place for kids who've had to face great challenges in their lives. This group of kids will have my heart, always. Their words and voices move me. I hope they move you too. 

Steph Johnson with SDCC Academy "Hope Springs Eternal"

My friend Nathan James came over the other day and brought me a glass guitar slide! This was my first time playing with one and I thoroughly enjoyed how "swampy" the whole thing sounded...reminds me of my Arkansas roots! :D So for all you who wanted to hear, this is what the room sounded like.

Slide Over with Nathan James

Rehearsing one of my favorite holiday tunes with Jeffrey Joe and Miss Airika LadyBug was singing in the background :0) 

Baby It's Cold Outside w/ Jeffrey Joe and Airika Ladybug

Track 7 off of Mysterious Feminine - Steph Johnson's 2nd studio album. Currently working on her upcoming album set to be released in Spring 2012.
From a recent review in the San Diego Reader by Robert Bush:
"Johnson has been making waves locally, winning an SDMA for "best jazz" album in 2010, even though she acknowledges that "Mysterious Feminine," wasn't exactly a real jazz record. The music she's been making is really 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."



Believe/Mysterious Feminine/Released 2010/Lotus Heart Records

a quick little song/sound idea from today while I was jammin with Davey - hope you like it and you are feeling the love today and every day. 

FYI - you probably want to listen through some headphones :0) 

I Am Finally Home - jam with Dave Millard

Sitting at home playing one of my favorite Stevie Wonder songs….

Visions (Stevie Wonder)

At home in my bedroom…..playing and singing. I hope you like my rendition of this beautiful song. I especially like the lyrics of "I hear babies cry and I watch them grow" 
I think about my choice to live as an artist and how that choice does not include children for me at the present moment. I sometimes wrestle with this choice because I really love kids. But over the years I HAVE had kids :0) All of the kids I have volunteered on behalf of and/or mentored, I have continued to watch them grow! In my musician's journey, I can still enjoy both the freedom of creating while watching the world grow around me. Peace to you. 
Steph


Bedroom Tapez Vol 1 "What A Wonderful World"

The first track off of Nature Girl. Recorded live and features Steph Johnson on vocals and guitar, Rob Thorsen on bass and Fernando Gomez on drums. Buy the album here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stephjohnson3


Chocolate (First track off of Nature Girl)

This is like a sound diary of my evolution as an artist. :) A lot of these songs were never (ever) released...just ideations, explorations and home recordings of my journey as a songwriter, singer and guitarist. To hear some of the studio recordings I have released, please visit itunes, apple music or my website.

Steph Johnson Band

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