Julie Lyon is an extraordinary jazz singer. Classically trained and reared on pop, rock and blues, the draw of the vocal jazz greats, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and others, opened the door to a world in which Ms. Lyon is now at the top of her game. On "Julie", whether it’s the robust swing of Dr. Lonnie Smith’s “Too Damn Hot” (lyrics by Julie Lyon), the deeply felt “Every Time We Say Goodbye” or the Parisian cafe as speakeasy atmosphere of Tom Wait’s “Temptation”, Julie’s voice is glorious and the band is in full flight.

Julie Lyon is at the top of her game as a jazz singer. MOONFLOWER, follow-up to the critically acclaimed JULIE, features original songs and compositions and is in many ways her first solo album. Though accompanied by her band, the focus is not only on Ms. Lyon’s considerable vocal talents but also on her role as lyricist and songwriter. The seeds of MOONFLOWER were sown when Julie began to write lyrics to some of composer Jack DeSalvo’s music. It became obvious that recording this music would be the vocalist’s next project and music by Julie Lyon along with additional collaborations with Tom Cabrera and Betsy Serafin create a tapestry of sophisticated listening experiences with music touching new jazz, folk and world music but always rooted in Julie’s sense of swing and the blues. The title song "Moonflower" is written by multi-instrumentalist/composer Matt Lavelle.

When I left NYC for Philadelphia during the COVID pandemic, I had a lot of big dreams and plans about what I was going to do to free myself from the survival game that I had played for 30 years. When my plans fell apart, I was thrown back into the game. I lost the first round really badly, tapped out and took a job as a hospital housekeeper, where as of this writing I’m still working full time. I still work on music and art every day before I work from 3-11pm. Although I’ve been drained physically, mentally, and spiritually, I simply refuse to give up my life’s calling. I still play for peace - for the world and for myself.

Matt Lavelle is New York based trumpet, flugelhorn, bass and alto clarinet player, and composer. He began his music career with Hildred Humphries, a swing era veteran who played with Count Basie and Billie Holiday. Mentored by the late, great saxophonist, violinist, and trumpeter Ornette Coleman, Lavelle combines his original improvisational works with a string, horn, and rhythm section for a most unflattering, unnerving effect. The original idea for the 12 Houses was to join 12 musicians who each represented a different house of the Zodiac.

Matt Lavelle is New York based trumpet, flugelhorn, bass and alto clarinet player, and composer. He began his music career with Hildred Humphries, a swing era veteran who played with Count Basie and Billie Holiday. Mentored by the late, great saxophonist, violinist, and trumpeter Ornette Coleman, Lavelle combines his original improvisational works with a string, horn, and rhythm section for a most unflattering, unnerving effect. The original idea for the 12 Houses was to join 12 musicians who each represented a different house of the Zodiac.