    


    Three talented songwriters and
    friends decided they wanted to
    perform together in a setting more
    intimate than your average concert
    hall, as if in someone's living room,
    casually taking turns playing their
    songs for each other. It was from this
    idea that "Voices from the Valley" was
    born.
    
    As they performed together,
    the concept evolved to include the
    audience by soliciting them for topics
    for songs. The spontaneity is
    infectious as everyone opens up their
    hearts and spirits.
    
    The three songwriters are each
    unique in their styles and personalities
    and often a regional artist will join
    them. They all bring a warmth and
    directness that is contagious and their
    keen observations about life provide
    for a wonderful evening of "Songs
    from the Heart."
    
        "...fleeting reminders of Joni
    Mitchell, not only in Iyrical quality
       but in the smart combination of
        musical stylings from folk to
          Brazilian flavored jazz."
    
    The Music Paper
    
        "Mitch Katz is an accomplished
          songwriter and performer .
          I suspect you'll come away
       recalling the words and humming
          the melodies, like I did."
    
           Walt Graham
    WSHU-FM 
    Fairfield, CT
    
         "With an emotionally charged
     bluesy vocal style and killer songs,
         the diminutive Ms. Schwartz
       stands head and shoulders above 
        many more established names."
    
          George Fletcher
    Rhythm & News 
    Magazine
    
                Lora Lee Amram
    
    Lora Lee Amram comes as naturally to her
    music as music comes to her. As a child,
    everyone in her family sang, danced and
    appreciated a great variety of musical styles. She
    writes a sophisticated blend of folk and Brazilian
    inspired jazz using her real life experiences as a
    woman, mother and musician as the basis for her
    lyrically poetic original material. Lora Lee sings
    with a voice that is honest and pure, leading her
    audiences into an intimate conversation about life
    and love
    
                  Mitch Katz
    
    Mitch Katz is a contemporary songwriter with a
    penetrating vision of life. His crafty lyrics and
    compelling melodies bring sensitivity and humor
    to a mix of ballads and blues, with some political
    observation thrown in for good measure. His
    strong guitar playing is a perfect compliment for
    his voice, which has just enough grit to lend a
    flavor of hard won life experiences. Mitch's warm
    and engaging stage presence makes his
    audience feel right at home as he gives voice to
    their dreams and desires.

    


    
                Ellen Schwartz
    
    Ellen Schwartz is a singer/songwriter whose
    unique vocal style combines the earthy voice of
    Janis Joplin with the sensuality of Sade, the
    childlike innocence of Suzanne Vega and the
    passion and energy of Joan Osborne. Her writing
    style is eclectic and personal, with rich and
    powerful melodies and topics ranging from domestic
    violence and the systematic slaughter of elephants
    to self examination and relationships. On stage,
    Ellen will be accompanied by her songwriting
    partner Roger Bruno on percussion.
    
    