Staci Griesbach, pronounced “STAY-cee-greece bahk”/ “Greece”, is a Los Angeles-based singer who combines her passions for country music and jazz with her debut album “My Patsy Cline Songbook”, which was released August 23, 2019. Staci leads fans on a musical journey through the songs PatsyCline was famous for, as well as those of Harlan Howard, Bill Monroe and Willie Nelson. These American songwriters were prolific and contributed significantly to the Nashville Sound, much in the same manner that Cole Porter and Irving Berlin contributed to the foundation of jazz standards. Similar to Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline is a significant influence on nearly all female country singers today. Staci offers the opportunity to explore more than one Great American Songbook by cross-polinating country music lyrics with jazz styling. The first Patsy Cline tribute album in jazz and contemporary styles, “My Patsy Cline Songbook”, features interpretations of “She’s Got You”, “I Fall To Pieces,”” “Crazy,” or “Walkin’ After Midnight” among others. Staci was raised on a rural Wisconsin farm and studied voice, piano, and alto saxophone throughout her childhood. She began jazz swinging through jazz performing groups during her formative years. Staci discovered a passion for musical theatre while attending the University of Wisconsin Madison. She was a leader in her school’s musical theatre program, and performed as a singer/dancer for several years in a revue-style broadway show. Staci began jazz studies in 2012, when she joined the Santa Monica College Vocal Jazz Ensemble. She also studied privately with Michele Weir, an UCLA educator and arranger. Staci also studied with Dave Stroud (jazz vocalist, multiple Grammy nominee), and Michele Weir (private studies). Staci began gigging in Los Angeles in 2015 with a trio. She quickly realized that she wanted to start a unique project that could connect with people in an authentic manner. Staci was looking for something that would be authentic and she could share with her audience. The Great American Songbook is an invaluable resource for jazz musicians, but Staci wanted to link her rural American roots and current musical interests. Staci fell asleep in yoga one morning, after which she dropped her needle on her Patsy Cline “Greatest Hits” vinyl record. She knew that this was what she was meant to do. Staci began working with Michele Weir on arrangements. She also studied with Celia Vaz, a Brazilian arranger and artist, in Rio De Janeiro, in February 2016. Staci decided to take a break from Patsy Cline’s tribute project and launch a You Tube series, “Staci sings Ella” (#StaciSingsElla), which celebrates the legacy of Ella Fitzgerald. Staci sang 100 songs for 100 days in celebration of the centennial of the First Lady of Song in April 2017. After three months, the benefit concert raised money for Ella Fitzgerald Foundation. Staci recorded six tracks in January 2018. In the Fall 2018, Staci began collaborating with Josh Nelson, Tamir Hendelman and Jeremy Siskind to finish “My Patsy Cline Songbook”. These sessions will be completed in spring 2019. Staci has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison and is currently pursuing her Berklee Online music performance certificate. Staci has been working in marketing at Sony Pictures Entertainment for almost 15 years. She still enjoys watching good movies, especially when they have a great soundtrack. from www.stacigriesbach.com
