In the wake of the economic crisis of 2008, aspiring musician Steph Johnson made a brave choice: The singer/guitarist chose to abandon her 12-year career in banking and pursue her dreams of making music full-time. It wasn't the only time the intrepid Johnson would eschew the safe decision. In 2011, Johnson had already released two albums and was clearly on the way up in the soul/R&B musical genre with jazzy undertones. In fact, her second CD won an SDMA for "Best Jazz Record" without actually being a jazz document. Later that year, Johnson didn't just switch horses in mid-stream, she switched streams. A chance encounter with double-bassist Rob Thorsen at the Ocean Beach Music & Arts Festival led to a drastic change in direction for her music and unique songwriting style. Forming a trio with Thorsen and young drum phenom Fernando Gomez the group recorded her 3rd CD “Nature Girl” and headed out on multiple tours of the southwest and west coast as well as numerous festivals and...
Read more
In the wake of the economic crisis of 2008, aspiring musician Steph Johnson made a brave choice: The singer/guitarist chose to abandon her 12-year career in banking and pursue her dreams of making music full-time. It wasn't the only time the intrepid Johnson would eschew the safe decision. In 2011, Johnson had already released two albums and was clearly on the way up in the soul/R&B musical genre with jazzy undertones. In fact, her second CD won an SDMA for "Best Jazz Record" without actually being a jazz document. Later that year, Johnson didn't just switch horses in mid-stream, she switched streams. A chance encounter with double-bassist Rob Thorsen at the Ocean Beach Music & Arts Festival led to a drastic change in direction for her music and unique songwriting style. Forming a trio with Thorsen and young drum phenom Fernando Gomez the group recorded her 3rd CD “Nature Girl” and headed out on multiple tours of the southwest and west coast as well as numerous festivals and concerts in Mexico. The groups new sound had a decided jazzy influenced textures and featured her guitar playing as well as her soulful velvety vocals.
