Ralph Sharon - pianist / composer / arranger / conductor

"Having spent the last forty or so years as the pianist and conductor for the man who "Frank Sinatra called 'his favorite singer, namely Tony Bennett, I think I've earned the right to be somewhat of a critic of jazz singers and their almost immediate family - jazz musicians.

"Somebody recently remarked that this was the true age of jazz singers. And if this is true, then to me, Joni Janak is the reigning queen! To my ears, she is in the true tradi­tion of that hackneyed phrase - 'jazz singer.'

"She is the modem equivalent of the women who created and set the style of this more intensive, interesting, and swinging form of our popular music.

"I mean Ella, Sarah, Billie, and just a very few others. They, in their recordings, left us an indelible mark of the highest musical achievement for all jazz and even non-jazz listeners to enjoy for all time.

"Let me make a list of Joni's vocal attributes: first of all, there is her vocal sound - a lovely cello-like, middle-range, which she uses effortessly.  So smooth, so musical, and a seamless interpretation of lyrics. You'll never hear her take a breath.

"Then there is the intonation (in other words, to the non-informed, singing in-tune). Joni is always dead on the note and gives each note its true value. But then, she can soar, too - hearing some of her incredible high notes has made me gasp - where did she get the breadth from this slim woman with all that vocal power?

"And lastly, the thing that stamps Joni with those sometimes misunderstood words, 'jazz singer,' her in-born ability to swing at all times.  Tony Bennett always used to enforce this strict rule to me: 'The ballads have to swing, too.' Joni has this ability in spades.

"The way she interprets a lyric, even though she's telling the story, the beat never wavers - she is its Master. I could go on and on , but we'll leave the rest to the listener. Just know that when you hear Joni Janak sing, you are hearing the best of the best, to my ears, and she is somebody who may not be as well-known as Madonna or Britney Spears, but as far as I'm concerned, someone who will be around when those "Joni-Come-Latelys" have been long gone and forgotten."

Jeff Bradley, The Denver Post

"It's a pleasure to hear a singer do vibrato so expressively with no register problems and a clear focus on the lyrics."

Russ Freeman, pianist/composer

"Joni's version of my song, The Wind, is the best, and my favorite, rendition that I've ever heard - and there are 32 recordings of it. Her interpretation just kills me: the way she breathes, the way she phrases; she's just absolutely fabulous. She ranks with the very best singers this world has produced. Her pitch is perfect. Her phrasing and intonation are absolutely impeccable."

Johnny Mandel, composer/conductor

"Joni Janak is one of the unsung heroes in jazz. She is a great singer."

Carl Fontana, trombonist

"Joni Janak is, in my opinion, one of the best singers I have every heard. There are very few singers in this day and time who can interpret a melody and lyrics the way she can."

Zan Stewart, Los Angeles Times

" - with an appealing alto, rock-solid pitch and feel for rhythm, Joni Janak sang Beautiful Friendship with appropriate energy, sustaining her notes nicely."

Walter "Dusty" Saunders, Rocky Mountain News

"Joni Janak brings her lush, mellow voice into the gathering, reminding one of Eydie Gorme and Carmen McRae."

George Fendel, Jazzscene of Oregon

"There are only a few things I ask of a singer. Sing on key. Don't be overly coy, cute or decorative. Choose quality material. And don't stray too far from what the composer wrote. Joni Janak, a Denver chanteuse, fills the bill on all counts."

Alan Bargebuhr, Cadence

"Here is a singer with amazing technical command of her vocal instrument, reaching for and sustaining notes with such seeming ease and composure, tucking them into the curve of the lyric with such skill that the melodic and poetic values of the songs seem to adhere to one another."

Roger Kellaway, pianist/composer

"Joni's delightful vocal sound is perfect for my song." [I Have a Feeling I've Been Here Before]

Bruce Crowther - Jazz Journal [England]

"Another fine singer deserving of far more attention than has so far been extended, Joni Janak is based in Colorado where she has attracted a faithful and discerning following. ...have also become aware that hers is a talent of international quality. Astute phrasing and unforced swing make this a very attractive jazz album. [The Wind]

Jim Wilke - NPR - Jazz after Hours

"About 4 bars into Joni Janak's vocal on The Wind my ears perked up. I love the quality of her voice and her phrasing - perfect! I'll be playing this one for a while. It's got a number of my favorite tunes on it.'

Marc Dickman, ITA [International Trombone Journal]

"Joni Janak is a world-class jazz vocalist with superb expressive abilities and an extreme upper register. The chemistry between Janak and (Carl) Fontana radiates from each selection. The balance, clarity, and equalization of the recording are at the highest industry standards. Enough good things cannot be said about a new release from one of the jazz world's most beloved and under-recorded artists."