Secret of Life Released

(Milwaukee, WI) — Chicago-based 251 Records is pleased to announce the release of Ellen Winters second solo recording, “Secret of Life.” Milwaukee-based Winters is a veteran of the vocal jazz scene, and has performed with national artists like tenor saxophonist Richie Cole, saxophonist/vocalist Darmon Meader of New York Voices, Clark Burroughs & Don Shelton of the Hi-Lo’s, tenor saxophonist Chip McNeill and also with top notch regional jazz artists like Berkeley Fudge, Swing Nouveau, All Star SUPERband and WAMI-award winners Jack Grassel, Steve Lewandowski and Sam Steffke.

The newest offering, which was recorded in Milwaukee and Kenosha at The Exchange and Renwood Messenger Studios, has a wide range of tunes from the standard pop to traditional jazz. The recording features the talents of local artists: Sam Steffke, Harold Miller, Jim Ryan, Steve Lewandowski, Peter Mac, Jack Grassel, Scott Van Domelen (currently on tour with Glenn Miller Orchestra,) Warren Weigratz, Barb Stephan, and Alaria Taylor. While many of these songs are “covers” rewritten to fit the jazz idiom, several tunes are originals by Winters or other accomplished national and international artists. Singer/songwriter Peter Eldridge of the Grammy award-winning vocal jazz group New York Voices penned one original on this cd, as did Four Freshmen lead singer Brian Eichenberger and Swedish singer/songwriter Peder Karlsson of The Real Group.

Winters released “Secret of Life” in New York City at esteemed cabaret Rose’s Turn on September 30, 2006. New York City based jazz pianist Jess Jurkovic joined Winters again, just as he did in 2001 for her NYC cabaret debut. A Milwaukee CD release also took place on Sunday, October 22nd at Caroline’s Jazz Club. “Secret of Life” has received critical acclaim both in throughout the country:

“Beautifully done and so sweetly sung!” – Peter Eldridge, Grammy winner and founding member of New York Voices

“(Winters’) refined voice, with its clean tones and expressive nuances, breathes new life into most every traditional song. Just as exciting as the covers are the songs she pens herself, heartfelt opuses crafted in the spirit of the classics but filtered through the lens of a strong, thoroughly modern woman.” – Evan Rytlewski, Milwaukee Shepherd Express

251 Records released Winters’ debut CD, Pure Imagination, in Milwaukee in November 2003 to much praise. In 2004, Pure Imagination won the Reader’s Choice award for “Best Local CD Release” from Milwaukee’s Arts and Entertainment newspaper, The Shepherd Express. In 2004,2005 & 2006, Winters earned honors in that same Reader’s Choice Poll as Milwaukee’s “Best Jazz Artist,” a feat not typically achieved by a vocalist. The debut release also caught the attention of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) membership and garnered Winters a “Female Artist of the Year” nominations in 2005, 2006 and 2007; a “Traditional Jazz Artist of the Year” nomination in 2005 and a “Contemporary Jazz Artist of the Year” nomination in 2007. Both recordings are available for purchase at all of Ellen’s performances as well as through the CD Baby website and Amazon.com.