Jo-Ann Sternberg, Bloomingdale Board Member and Professional Clarinetist An active and committed member of Bloomingdale's Board of Directors, Jo-Ann Sternberg is also a professional clarinetist with a varied performing and teaching career. "I feel lucky to be a working musician and as a performer and teacher I'm awash in a world of sound, rhythm, texture, and color." Jo-Ann listens to a wide variety of musical styles including classical, jazz, country, folk, and rock. "The music that speaks most deeply to me usually involves the voice. As I child I listened to folk music by artists such as Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Arlo Guthrie. As I matured that thread evolved into a lifelong love for music that tells a story, whether it is James Taylor serenading about seeking a peaceful state of mind or Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong musingly scatting about keeping the blues at bay." Jo-Ann learns about new music, artists, and recordings from friends, colleagues, students, and NPR, particularly John Schaefer's program "New Sounds." Artist: James Taylor Album: The Best of James Taylor Why Jo-Ann likes this particular artist/album: In my home we always maintain a steady diet of James Taylor, rotating various CDs. Lately my children have been listening to this album as they fall asleep. I've always been struck by the purity and candor of James Taylor's delivery and his simple, soulful guitar lines. Favorite track(s) on the album: It is hard for me to pick favorite tracks from such an all-star compilation, but two I like best are "Sweet Baby James" and "Up on the Roof." Artist: Dixie Chicks Album: Taking the Long Way Why Jo-Ann likes this particular artist/album: My husband is a country music fan and introduced me to the Dixie Chicks. Their music blurs the lines between folk, country, and pop. This CD packs a hefty punch of realism and grit as the group resurfaced following a forced hiatus after lead singer Natalie Maines made a statement in live concert in 2003 expressing disappointment in the Bush administration. As a result, the group was banned by most country/rock radio stations and was plunged into a spiral of hostility. This album is their revelatory response and it has earned them deserved attention. Favorite track(s) on the album: My favorite track is the one that speaks to their journey after the incidents of 2003, "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice." Artist: Ella Fitzgerald, vocals; Louis Armstrong, vocals & trumpet; Oscar Peterson, piano; Herb Ellis, guitar; Ray Brown, bass; and Louis Bellson, drums. Album: Ella and Louis Again Why Jo-Ann likes this particular artist/album: I've always been a fan of the songs of the 1930s and 40s brought to life by the miraculous talents of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday to name a few. The tracks on this album were recorded in 1957 in Los Angeles and are a magnificent slice of life! Favorite track(s) on the album: "Don't Be That Way" and "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off". Artists: Michael Lowenstern Album: Ten Children Why Jo-Ann likes this particular artist/album: As a clarinetist I'm always seeking to expand my palette of colors and think as vocally as possible. This disc by my friend and colleague Michael Lowenstern brings together bass clarinet lines, body percussion, and synthesized sounds in stunning improvisational style "songs". Michael Lowenstern is arguably one of the greatest bass clarinetists of our time, and his compositional creativity continues to inspire. In this collection he reflects on his life as a father and husband and the results are extraordinarily innovative and beautiful. Artist: Leon Fleisher Album: Two Hands Why Jo-Ann likes this particular artist/album: My husband and I routinely listen to music at night after the kids have gone to sleep. We tend to put a few discs into our CD player and let them run into one another as the evening dissipates. A favorite choice that has remained in our 'top ten' for a few years is this hauntingly gorgeous recording made by Leon Fleisher. After more than 35 years of suffering from dystonia, Leon Fleisher returned to two-handed piano performance in this stunning, eclectic compilation. The recording is replete with spontaneity and soul. The pain and suffering of a lifetime has been translated into a passionately singing pianism that can't be beat! Part of the proceeds of the sale of this CD benefit the Dystonia Medical Foundation, fulfilling Leon Fleisher's desire to help raise support and awareness of this devastating neurological disorder. Favorite track(s) on the album: Every track on this disc is memorable, but perhaps my favorite is Debussy's "Claire de Lune" for its songful simplicity.