"Using small percussive instruments, Berimbao, Shakers, Hand Drums, as a rhythmic basis
for her expressive vocals, Jennifer Levy aka PollyGot Riddim brings a unique
quality to her original compositions that draw on pop,reggae,folk,blues,rock,
jazz and world music."

Billy Pinnell Broadcaster/Writer.


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ALBUM PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN by LEANNE HANLEY


THE ALBUM CAN BE PURCHASED THROUGH PAYPAL and CDBABY

 
PollyGot Riddim: Fugitive Desires

 


Album







I love words, poetry, literature, delving deep to paint pictures with lyrics.

Singing is my breath of life giving direct expression to the words, feelings and stories, unadorned, timeless. Honesty lies close to the surface.

All my songs on this album were written whilst living in Germany and Jamaica, immersed in the everyday life of other cultures and languages which is where I feel most comfortable. (The singing journey had begun whilst doing my acting training in Paris before I moved to Germany).

My two great friends, the Berimbao and the Televis, have taught me so much about rhythm, even assisting me sometimes with melody. Hand Drums and Piano too-they are all one family.

All of the above put together, are mixed with the innate musical artistry of Joe Camilleri and Ed Bates as producers who have clearly worked with the core and essence of what I gave them.

What I find so exciting is that even on the tracks where we don’t hear my instruments, what we do hear is still the result of the rhythms I originally played and sang to.


Great things come from desolation and we’re lucky if we can recognize them at that moment




Sometimes identification can be a bother


One of the first songs I heard when in Jamaica for the first time
DESTINY


My singing teacher in Germany said to me one day “you have to learn to float..”
Story that happened whilst touring with a children’s theatre show I was performing in




Another story, this one amplified by the tropics and the sound of rain coming across the countryside


One of the most beautiful and exquisite songs ever written, a homage to the persecuted and to the great and unique Billie Holiday
STRANGE FRUIT


Do we really want to capture them or leave them wandering?

A tale of mixed up values




Sometimes we go there

…to who you think you are




This came from a dream

Live Music Gigs in Melbourne:

Spensers Live, Original Songs duo Vocs and Percussion

with David Jones/Drums/percussion

Prince of Wales, Unite Bushfire Benefit Gig

Temple Beth Israel, Jazz and Chanson duo with Ed Bates/Guit.

Cancer Council, Relay For Life, Original Songs duo Vocs and Percussion

with Ed Bates/Guit.

Chapel Off Chapel, Vocs and Percussion



Live Music Gigs in Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay,

Jamaica 1999 - 2003:

Marketplace, Jazz, with Ernest Ranglin/Guit.

Marketplace, with the Sparrow Martin Trio from The Alpha Boys School

Hilton Hotel

Redbones Jazz and Blues Café

French Embassy

TV Jamaica Morning Show

Evita’s Restaurant

Jamaica Inn

Island Village

Half Moon Hotel



Session Work in Jamaica:

with Barry O’Hare, Brian Jobson, Ray Hitchins, Peter Ashborn, DJ Dave Bass, Sheldon Bernard, Ingram Powell


Live Music Gigs and Session Work in France and Germany:

Film Music, Haute Couture Fashion Show, composer Jean Claude Mejstelman,

Sprungbrett, WDR TV

Conny’s Studio

Einsturzende Neubauten

Wolf Maahn

Tonshmide Studio

Lee Buddah & David Nash Film Music

Club Gigs presenting original Pop Music Project


Repertoire range: Original Songs, Diverse Pop, Jamaican/Carribbean, Chanson, Jazz



TRAINING


Singing/Voice:

Musical Theatre 2008-09, Will Conyers, (Melbourne)

Kristin Linklater Technique, 2006 (with Brian Drillinger from The Edgmar Center, Santa Monica CA)

Classical Voice 1982- 86: Birgit Krahforst-Land (Cologne, Germany), Elizabeth Hawes (London, GB), Tim Greacen (Paris, France)


Percussion: Djembe - Andreas Kappler (Cologne, Germany)

Piano: Soeren Kock (Cologne, Germany)

Self taught: Berimbao and diverse ethnic instruments



Voice/Singing Teacher Freelancing since 2000:
 

From 2006 - Ongoing, Weekly Vocal Workshop at Raymond Hader Clinic for Drug and Alchohol Rehab

Vocal Workshops, ACOPA

Guest Seminars 2004: RMIT, Media Studies; Swinburne, Media Studies

Individual Private Lessons

Vocal Coaching for Voiceover Recordings



Brief Outline of Singing/Voice Lessons:


Based on a combination of my training and experience searching for my own “True Voice”, I aim to work intuitively with each student to guide them in finding their true voice.

Using a mix of breathing and vocal exercises from the diverse sources of the Singer and Actor’s toolbox, as well as building physical and emotional awareness, the student will be equipped with a strong basis and knowledge of their own voice to work confidently in the areas of vocal performance they feel most connected to.

I have observed that working with the voice builds confidence from the inside, regardless of the student’s background or ambitions. It also seems to have a profoundly positive influence on each person.


Anyone interested in taking lessons can contact me by email through this website.

WEBSITE DESIGN BY NICOLE SCHUCH