Lynn Cardona, a contemporary jazz and soul musician, lives in Los Angeles. She writes unguarded songs about love, including the lost, the returned, and the ecstatic, as well as the slow burn of longing, lust, and the unrequited. Cardona’s voice, which is dreamily viscous and girlish and reminds you of Blossom Dearie, first draws you in. You soon become engulfed in her world of nostalgia and desire, which fills the space like rising floodwaters. Cardona’s poetry is a major reason for this, pulling you deeper into the sea. Ophelia is her latest EP. Cardona sings the title song. “I’ve been saying this all before, but now I swear it. Please dare it. Don’t you know what I’d do for love ….”” She wrote the song after she felt the need to end her relationship with her long-term lover. Despite the serious subject matter, Ophelia has a lighthearted feel. It conveys the disturbing juxtaposition between what is felt and what is seen outside. Cardona left her husband and moved to Seoul, South Korea to escape her past. The recovery period was also when Ophelia’s other songs, “A Little Too Late” (and “Mother Earth”) were composed. “A Little Too Late” is a tribute and celebration of a brief but profound love affair she had with Joe shortly after she broke up. Joe was the one she credits with lifting her from her deep depression. Cardona sings “In just fall when the leaves all beg for the trees to release them… Maybe he loved us because he let us go, but it is a little too late” about her courageous decision to leave Joe behind to travel alone to South Korea to seek healing. “Mother Earth” focuses on Cardona’s mixed feelings about becoming a mother. The song is about Mother Earth’s resilience and the nurturing that women can show despite all the human abuses. Cardona was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Memphis, Tennessee shortly after she graduated high school. She began her career in Memphis, where she was able to learn from the great musicians and artists. After her stint in South Korea she eventually made it to Los Angeles. Cardona recruited some of the best talent from Southern California to assist her in this endeavor. She is produced by DORI AMARILIO guitarist, and JOSH NELSON, a well-respected composer, pianist, and educator, who has performed with some the most prominent names in jazz. He has recorded numerous albums, films, as well as T.V. He has also released seven CDs as a singer. After moving to Los Angeles in 2012, she heard Nelson’s voice on the radio for the first time. Cardona says, “He let the music breathe and he added to that with such grace und elegance.” Josh was a wonderful partner in my project. It took us a year to schedule and reschedule rehearsals and record dates. He was so busy. He was an absolute pleasure to work with and I would not hesitate to wait another year to do this again.” DAVE ROBAIRE is also her back. He is a professor of jazz studies at California State University Northridge and the Manager of Music at Sam First. Sam First is one of Los Angeles’s most prominent venues for creating music. DAN SCHNELLE is the drummer, and one of the most sought-after musicians in Los Angeles. Amarilio brought MICHAEL HUNTER onboard to play the flugelhorn. Hunter has performed with Stanley Clarke, Kamasi Washi, and Lenny Kravitz among others. Cardona is also a close friend of NOZOMIYAMAGUCHI, the guitarist. Cardona says that he was a key part of giving the record its unique sound. He brings a more soulful rhythmic approach and helped to create these songs. Secret Crush, Cardona’s new EP, showcases her sexier side. It combines her modern jazz style with more pop music and soul than her previous works. GRAMMY-winning producer Sam Barsh produced Secret Crush. He’s also written and played piano on records such as Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, and Aloe Blacc. Cardona wears all of her heart on her sleeves. Cardona’s emotions are vulnerable and openly expressed in her music. The musicianship on these three songs is exceptional, with Cardona’s sinuous voice and beautiful lyrics. Cardona says, “I want music to reflect the nuances of my experiences.” “I want listeners feel they can relate to my music on the deepest level.” www.lynncardona.com
