After the tradition of jazz fusion groups Weather Report, Steps Ahead & Return to Forever, Spirited's music may be described as a 'jazz-and-journey' experience, always rich and engaging, often exploratory, with equal parts jazz standards and originals touched by Native American and Brazilian flair. Coalesced by Joan Henry with longtime musical allies Gus Mancini & Dennis Yerry, the artists of Spirited have plenty of common ground - all are composers & performers in their own right, all have worked with an impressive list of major players in the jazz and performing arts world, and all were looking for something deeper... In different clusters and configurations they had all played with one another, some over 25 years; nothing prepared them, however, for the magic and syncronicity, the fire that was kindled when they all came together, performing for the first time at a budding jazz festival in the Northern Catskills, the Phoenicia Jazz Series. "Our group energy has a force of its own," vocalist & percussionist Joan Henry remarked. " Basically, it named itself and practically threw us into the studio to lay down 110 minutes of music in one session. Who does that? Only the way we're interconnected made that possible." Just how they talk about themselves and this album is enough to draw listeners in: “SO MUCH LOVE for my Spirited crew -- the way we listen and hold one another in the music, the way we fly together on the thermals of the moment, the places we visit and the passion we share with our audiences... it is a sheer delight to have found one another and to be playing together today. We can all hardly wait for where the next adventure takes us… Truly, we are - Spirited!” Joani, vocals & percussion “Really, This album represents a snapshot in time, an effort to capture the essence of our live performances..." - Rich Syracuse, upright bass “"What a great musical collaboration! The interactions, spontaneity, and chemistry between us is something to behold." – Tom DePetris, guitar “Gus has nothing to say [laughing]– it’s all in the music! Listen…” – Gus Mancini, saxophone “Great time playing with everyone! Lots of fun and great vibrations!” – Dennis Yerry, keyboards “This project was all magical connections, and beautiful grooves from beginning to end. Thank you. I’m excited about what’s next!” – Ruperto C. Ifil, traps Spirited prides itself on the in-the-moment experience they bring to audiences as a band; as Rich Syracuse, upright bass, describes their debut album, it's "an effort to capture the essence of our live performances..." Dedicated to Joan's father "whose Lousiana Tsalagi (Cherokee) roots nourished her jazz soul..." the Uprising ride grabs listeners with a fresh, easy-swinging straight-ahead Nat King Cole cover and takes off from there for parts unknown... always earmarked by the warmth and connectedness that defines a Spirited experience - one which listeners can finally take home! "...a funky Brazilian undercurrent that will have you dancing in the aisles..." "They will get you up on your feet! Come out for a great celebration and fantastic music!" - The Phoenicia Jazz Series