Intramission FREE

About Intramission

Who’z Joan Zen?

Joan Zen and her band Soul Evolution are an original, funky neo-soul musical experience, which has been "regaling audiences with their high-energy live show". Their debut album, Intramission, has been characterized as an "eclectic amalgam of original tunes" on which the "band slips from funk to rock to plaintive balladry with ease. Passionate lyrics stand out above well-designed arrangements" (Lively Times, May 2005, Mariss McTucker).

Joan Zen is a “chanteuse of the first order with a voice full of character and conviction and playfulness and soul”(Joe Nickell, The Missoulian, February 2005). Born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised near Atlanta, Joan Zen was steeped in blues, jazz, gospel, and soul from a very young age. Intramission, the debut album from this sultry singer, is a “unique mixture of funky-soul, rock and blues” (Greg Lemon, Ravalli Republic, March 2005) and her live show mixes reggae and hip-hop together to create an original neo-soul sound which reflects the diversity of her musical tastes.

Along with main band members, Joan Zen on vocals, PRS guitar endorsee, and Jason Hicks on sax, drums and keys, Intramission features fine musicianship from L.A. based drummer Michael Bedard, San Diego based guitarist Dylan Ankney, and Ted Pence on bass, as Joan Zen's core musical foundation. These artists have been creating music together in many forms since the early 90's, even though they are all in their mid-thirties. Their incredible musical chemistry makes this album organically magical. Also adding awesome, screaming guitar solos on Intramission is Robb Kunkel on such songs as "If I Only Could" and "Push of a Button". Donald Maus features his ultra melodic and intuitive bass playing on his Messenger Signature electric upright bass on "Getting Out" and "Over the Counter".

Joan Zen and Soul Evolution can be seen showcasing in Western Montana and the Western United States as they tour to packed houses. Joan Zen delivers live music with soul, passion and power. This debut, self-produced album has already inspired an incredible response by fans and friends. Joan Zen is recording their follow up album, entitled Youniverse, including new original works, like "No Motivation", "The God in You", "Chill" and "Mother Terra". Superstar Huey Lewis will be featured playing harmonica on two songs and will sing a duet with Joan Zen on Youniverse, scheduled to be released Fall 2006. Joan Zen appreciates the ZEN-sational support!