Press

While Royal Kent draws inspiration from such jazz-influenced writers as Langston Hughes and the Last Poets, he takes the tradition in a different direction in the San Francisco-based ensemble Copus, which he co-leads with pianist/composer Wendy Loomis (who premiered three works for flute choir in Walnut Creek). Swing is one element of the band's sound, but it draws as much from contemporary classical music and international sources as jazz.

"They call themselves a 'word beat' group," Lowenberg said. "They're world/classical, with a very different approach than UpSurge! Avotcja tends to be more Latin and free, and Copus tends to be more groove-oriented."

Copus Music artist, Wendy Loomis is 'Arts And Entertainment Feature' on the Women's Radio website for her new single "Anything I Perceive".

From San Francisco group COPUS comes one of the most intriguing, challenging, and ultimately satisfying albums of the year. The core of the group is composer, musical director and co-producer Wendy Loomis and Royal Kent, poet and co-producer. Together, they produce music that is part jazz, part classical, cerebral and sexy. Think of Copus as the love child of Jack Kerouac and Grace Jones.

COPUS - Later Than You Think
MusicDish.com
by Michael Allison

Copus is a musical group with some of the most talented musicians that I have yet come across. The music is a mixture of Spoken Word, jazz, a touch of blues and a hint of classical styles. This music is a little difficult to compare to anyone else because I have never really heard anyone like this group. The jazz styles are very complex and the music that is created is absolutely masterful. These compositions are amazing with just the music, but then you get the added pleasure of the smooth spoken word vocal styles of Royal Kent. His poetic onslaught of powerful lyrics are mind boggling, to say the least. His silky smooth voice holds a tight grip on the listener's ear and keeps them in a state of mind numbing ecstasy.

The musical virtuosity of the members in this group is absolutely amazing. Having this much talent in one band should be a crime. The music develops into a sort of scenic painting in your mind as it is played. The warmth and soul of the musicians is almost seamlessly produced throughout the entire album. This is musicianship and songwriting at its best. I don't have to tell you how impressed I am at the talent and musical excellence that is portrayed here. This is new music for the new millennium. I also recommend this be one of the first choices for Spoken Word Album of the Year.

Personal Notes:

I never considered myself a fan of spoken word styles of jazz. Although I have always been a jazz fan, the spoken word aspect was never one of my favorites. This band has definitely changed that perspective. I was surprised at how much I liked this music. There is something about it that makes me want to hear it more. I'm not sure if it's the music or the lyrics or the vocals. I only know that it's there and it is definitely alluring. It is my belief that this music could be legendary if given the opportunity to thrive. I've heard the buzz about this style, but never thought much of it until I heard the music. Now you need to hear it, whoever YOU are. The worst that could happen is that you broaden your horizons and find yourself really loving a style of music that you might not have known about before. If you are already one of those who like the spoken word style, then this is a group well worth checking out. This is one band that I am really happy to have as a part of my music community.

Music Pick:

San Francisco Bay Guardian
by Cheryl Eddy (5/02)

After meeting at an open mic event six years ago, poet Royal Kent and composer Wendy Loomis pooled their talents and formed Copus, a group that fuses spoken word with the members' own brand of millennium music (a mix of classical, world, blues, jazz, and other genres). This freethinking approach to the creative process makes Copus - now a full-fledged band with flute, drums, stand up bass, and other instruments - perfect as host of 'Language: The Journey to World Peace'."

START YOUR DAY WITH PHOENIX RISING’S “SPIRIT JAZZ SUITE”

I first heard Phoenix Rising at Listen & Be Heard Poetry Café last month, and I was impressed. Wendy Loomis is the composer/pianist and Monica Williams plays flute. They are delightful performers and extraordinarily talented. I was instantly and completely enthralled by the mythic quality of their music.

Monica received her classical training outside of Chicago. Her first solo performance with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra came at age 15. She plays with Copus, a spoken word, jazz group based in San Francisco, and teaches music at the Civic Arts of Walnut Creek and at the Copus Studio in San Francisco. All this, and she still has time to work with Wendy in Phoenix Rising.

Wendy earned a B.A. from Denison University and her M.S. in Education from Syracuse University. Besides her work with Monica, Wendy is also the artistic director, composer, and pianist with Copus and has taught music in Massachusetts and New York. She is currently teaching in Tiburon and San Francisco.

Their debut CD, Whispers, is inspiring. Though the music transcends classification, you’ll find it listed as New Classical/Jazz. It definitely has a classical influence, as I swear I can hear George Gershwin in Wendy’s piano playing. But then the haunting melodies of Monica’s flutes are reminiscent of Native American spiritual music. Stir that combination with jazz and just a sprinkling of spoken word, and you’ve got the delicious blend of Whispers cooked up by Phoenix Rising.

An excellent choice for the first song on the CD was "spirit jazz." I find it motivational and keep it in the CD player that I use as an alarm clock. That way it’s the first thing I hear in the morning and I feel uplifted and inspired to start my day on a high note. The “phoenix rising suite” is my favorite song. I find it timeless in that way that you can hear it repeatedly and never tire of it because it always manages to sound fresh. “As the leaves are dancing” is exhilarating and meditational at the same time. It reminds me of the type of song a cascading creek would play, if it played flute rather than water on stones. The fun and funky "whispers of love" rounds out the amazing 12 song set.

Whispers is perfect while working, enjoying your morning coffee, making love, or just about anything else your life entails. The CD cover aptly proclaims it, “Conscious music and lyrics for the intelligent listener.” For more information, or to book the band, contact Wendy at: copusqueen@earthlink.net.

Buy Whispers online at: www.delvianrecords.com/html/phoenix_rising.html.