The Shapeshifter and The Sound of You

Estelle is in the bush - a well deserved few days away from her hectic South African schedule!

http://estellekokot.com

Chico is in the studio

http://chicofreeman.com

and Jan is trying to find new ways to get more promotion and pledges for 'The Sound of You'.

She just finished her latest ambient music world album and decided to donate it as a thank you to pledgers and an incentive to others who still haven't taken the plunge. . . . 

Jan writes … 

'Did everyone who pledged for the Sound of You get the gift of a download code for my album 'SHaPeSHiFTeR'?

I do hope so - any problems let me know - hope you're all enjoying it!

'The Sound of You' has  two weeks left to get the remaining money to record the album ..  you've read the story here - now, if you haven't already, why not donate a minimum of $10 ( the price of a coffee and cake) and you will help pay for the recording PLUS get the gift of my album 'SHaPeSHiFTeR' as an exclusive extra download. 

You could always make the two albums a gift to someone - just let me know in the checkout . . Living in the digital age means I could send it anywhere as soon as I get your donation! In fact I'll throw in a digital greeting card if you like . . . Yes, you guessed, I REALLY want Estelle to record the Sound of You songbook!

If you don't want to bother with registering on pledge music just PAYPAL $10 or more <<< HERE >>>  and I'll send you the download codes and all the updates plus a digital download of the Sound of You as soon as it is recorded … It's a bit like paying for one album in advance and getting another to listen to while the other gets made .... 

Sounds like a deal to me!

We're so close …

Thanks for all your support"

JaN

xxx

PS. Want the CD , Songbook or more? visit
http://pledgemusic.com/projects/thesoundofyou

Chapter 14: Estelle sings a Rainbow

It's Wednesday and all the news and pics for the Sound of You Tour are on Estelle's web pages so here are links to her wonderful South African updates.

http://facebook.com/estelle.kokot

http://estellekokot.com
#thesoundofyou

'Congratulations Estelle! It seems you are having a fantastic time as the audience and reviews attest 

We look forward to joining you very soon to record the Sound of You album'

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thesoundofyou

By the way dear reader, have you pledged yet?

Chapter 12: The story of The Sound of You continues . . .

Afrikan Freedom Station - Estelle with Kwena, Herbie and Lebo

Hi everyone . . The story of The Sound of You continues  . . .

Estelle is still wowing audiences in South Africa with her fantastic shows. The reaction has been wonderful and Herbie Tsoaeli and Kevin Gibson have been backing her for most of the tour. 

She has also been doing solo voice and piano gigs and now a special one this week at the Orbit in Johannesburg.

http://estellekokot.com

Chico has been in the studio recording with his trio in Germany and sends a video postcard from there on YouTube.

http://youtube.com/thesoundofyou3

Jan took her multimedia show to the National Portrait Gallery in London and continues preparing music and film for her next show at the weekend.

http://facebook.com/jan.pulsford

What busy springtime bees we are!

But of course our main thing is plotting and planning with PledgeMusic to get this songbook recorded!

http://pledgemusic.com/projects/thesoundofyou

And we shall … watch this space! Thanks for all your support - we couldn't do it without you!

Chapter 11: Back and forward to 'The Sound of You'

Jan writes . . .

and now back and forward to 'The Sound of You'

This is a songbook written with jazz great Chico Freeman and we are lucky enough to have Estelle Kokot singing and interperating the collection.

Estelle is currently touring South Africa with Herbie Tsoaeli and Kevin Gibson and we are hoping to join her soon to record the album

Being digital and musical pioneers we partnered with Pledge Music to crowd fund the album. It's been quite an adventure, one documented in the blog 'The Sound of You'

http://thesoundofyou.blogspot.com/

Hope you will follow and join us on our journey - Our first Blogbook was called 'The Gathering' and the 16 chapters tell the story of us meeting and getting the album ready. 

Book two, which is where we are now is 'The Alchemy' - turning our ideas into gold - The hardest part for any creative person . . The story continues

Chapter 10: The next Stage

Deadlines are good to get you to the next stage and The Sound of You has got there.

Our partnership with PledgeMusic has been going really well and we are extending the campaign to the end of May.

We are having a few, well deserved days off and will be back next week with more updates and news of the recording, gigs and pledgers' exclusive downloads etc.

As always thanks for your support - we couldn't have got this far without you - the best is yet to come!

The Sound of You

http://www.estellekokot.com

http://youtube.com/thesoundofyou3

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thesoundofyou

http://thesoundofyou.blogspot.com

Ch:8 - Closer to the Pledge

The deadline of April 4th approaches. 

We are getting close . . . A big thank you to those who have followed us on this brave adventure  and believed in us by pledging to buy the album and songbook.

Crowdfunding is the new way of paying for the recording of music where the listener becomes part of the making of an album. It's not too late to jump aboard!

Along with a digital download you could become an executive producer, have your name on the album, have a song written for you, host a concert in your house or venue, dinner date with Estelle! Just about anything your heart desires - from $10 (USD) to $15k

Estelle is in South Africa touring 'The Sound of You' with Kevin Gibson and Herbie Tsoaeli

http://estellekokot.com

Jan is busy posting videos, blogs, updates etc. and preparing for the last two weeks of the pledge music campaign

http://facebook.com/jan.pulsford

Chico is strategising and preparing for the recording which, thanks to your support, will be happening in the studio 14th April

http://chicofreeman.com

We have special downloads available for those who pledge

Chico is offering some mp3s of his recordings

JaN is offering a complete aMBieNT MuSiC WoRLD album download at the end of the pledge campaign!

Estelle is sending exclusive rehearsal iPhone recordings, pictures and messages from South Africa

The Sound of You

Read the story here

http://www.thesoundofyou.blogspot.com

Listen and see

http://youtube.com/thesoundofyou

then Pledge

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thesoundofyou

Thanks for your support

Estelle, Jan and Chico

Ch:7 - Three weeks left on the PledgeMusic Campaign - we are 23% of the way there!

Jan writes …
Can hardly believe we only have another three weeks left on the PledgeMusic Campaign and we are 23% of the way there!

A BIG thank you to our friends who have supported us so far. We can't do this recording without you!

Estelle starts her 'The Sound of You' performances this evening in Capetown with Herbie Tsoaeli and Kevin Gibson.

Next Tuesday JaN and Chico will be talking about the project live on the Sound of You - You Tube Channel so do join them at 8PM UK timehttps://www.youtube.com/user/thesoundofyou3 and on http://radiojana.com

Also have a look at some of the videos from our journey on the NEW YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/thesoundofyou3
We'll FB and tweet as others get archived.

This week on PledgeMusic we have a special offer from Chico - if you pledge you get one of his recordings - 'Ballad for Hakima' is a beautiful lyrical piece from his album 'Tangents' and is the basis for the song "Times in my life" as performed by Estelle Kokot on the Sound of You album which, with your help. we will be recording next month.

A digital download of The Sound of You, ordered in advance costs $10 - so not a bad deal! Of course if you want more it's there on our PledgeMusic page - the more you pledge the more we can record! From $10 - $15K - songbooks, greeting cards, private concerts, Skype chats, executive producer, and even a song written and recorded especially for you or a loved one . . . Check it out ...

The next three weeks will be full on as we work to make our target so watch this space!

Thanks again

Estelle, Jan and Chico.

Chapter 6 - Close to the Pledge

One Month into our campaign to get the Sound of You recorded! Thanks to all our friends/patrons of the arts who have promised to buy songbooks, cards, demos, signed lead sheets and CDs. 

Everyone who pledges gets a digital download of the Sound of You album too !!

Jan is also offering . . .  A set of exclusive greeting cards and a songbook including the music with her pictures and lyrics . . .

PLUS everyone who pledges gets a copy of her latest aMBieNT MuSIC WoRLD album on March 15th!  More details soon of that and the on line fundraiser on http://radiojana.com

. . . She also needs to get somewhere warm

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thesoundofyou

Estelle is touring South Africa . . .

and as part of the PledgeMusic rewards has also offered an album of never heard before demos, a Vocal Workshop, a chance to meet, plus a variety of intimate house concerts! What an opportunity!

Chico Freeman wants to play . . .an exclusive concert for pledgers and also the chance to chat to him and Jan via Skype about their musical lives and experiences. He is also giving his fans the opportunity to have a song written for them along with the chance to become an executive producer of the project! 

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thesoundofyou

From $10 to $15k . . . There is something for everyone!

Come on don't be shy - just pledging the price of a couple of coffees will help but of course the more you pledge the more we can afford to record and finish the project!

Any questions don't hesitate to ask . . .

Thanks everyone for being part of The Sound of You

Ch:4 - Today the South African leg of the journey of The Sound of You starts!

Today the South African leg of the journey of The Sound of You starts!

Estelle Kokot leaves for South Africa to start touring and preparing for the Sound of You Recording.

This is a complete vow of faith as we are still getting people to pre-order the album on Pledge Music along with ordering more goodies like Songbooks and Skype lessons, Private Concerts and Greeting Cards, Exclusive Recordings and Signed CDs.

What an adventure! Come and join us ...

www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thesoundofyou

Bon voyage Estelle! We will be there soon and will be eagerly following your African music adventures

http://estellekokot.com/news-2/

Jan +  Chico xx

"Within a few notes you know you’ve hit a jackpot with Estelle Kokot...an indefinably mature combination of meticulously well-chosen notes and a voice to strip you down bare and trembling. With enviable grace and confidence she balances her voice and her piano work and displays her musical wares with such panache you could hear a crotchet fall". Gisele Turner - JazzEye.

Ch:3 - PledgeMusic Campaign launched after Estelle's sold out Vortex Jazz Club Gigs

Jan writes . . .

So here we are a week into the pledge music campaign to get the Sound of You recorded. Estelle leaves for South Africa in a weeks time to tour and prepare for the recording scheduled for April.

http://estellekokot.com/news-2/

Meanwhile the pledges keep coming in to turn this dream into a reality!

Thanks so much for being part of the journey and  lending your support to this brave new adventure.

We really do appreciate it - more than you can imagine!

"Within a few notes you know you’ve hit a jackpot with Estelle Kokot...an indefinably mature combination of meticulously well-chosen notes and a voice to strip you down bare and trembling. With enviable grace and confidence she balances her voice and her piano work and displays her musical wares with such panache you could hear a crotchet fall". Gisele Turner - JazzEye.