Kol Shira
Kol Shira is an all-woman music group performing world music based in Iowa City, Iowa. The group features vocals, flute, guitar, piano, bass guitar, cello and hand-held percussion. The band performs around Iowa City and area, including places such as The Mill restaurant and Java House CoFFEE shop. Jim Musser, music reviewer for the Iowa City Press Citizen, describes the band as “exquisite” and “wondrous.” At the end of 2004, Mr. Musser ranked Kol Shira’s CD, “Voice of Song,” as one of the top six independent releases from the Eastern Iowa area.
History
The band was formed about 30 years ago by Linda Wertz and Deb Singer, both guitarists. Alison Weinstock, a flutist joined the band a few years later, and in 1999, singer Valerie Davine Bills became the lead singer of the group as the band shifted towards world music. At that time, Wertz switched from guitar to bass guitar. Julie Anolik Cassell, a local cellist joined the group around 2001. Karen Charney, a very talented musician in flute, guitar, and piano also joined the band as a pianist, and Rita Offutt became an additional vocalist. The band recorded their first CD, "Voice of Song", with those seven members, but then they received the news that Weinstock would be moving to Boston, Massachusetts. After holding auditions for local flutists, the band members decided to drop the piano and have Charney switch to the flute, her primary instrument.
Band members
- Linda Wertz - Bass guitar, harmonic vocals
- Deb Singer - Acoustic guitar
- Valerie Davine Bills - lead vocals
- Julie Anolik Cassell - Cello, percussion
- Rita Offutt - vocals
- Karen Charney - Flute, harmonic vocals