about us and our music...

Zoey   Diana more about zodia

Their name Zodia, (pronounced Zo-DIE-ya) is a combination of their own names: Zoey and Diana. They both have been performing and writing music together for many years. However, this CD will represent their first commercial release. Both are seasoned professional musicians; Zoey covering the keyboards, electric and acoustic guitar, percussion and vocals and Diana (Dee) covers the drums, percussion, acoustic and electric guitar as well as vocals. Their CD is a collection of all original songs written by Zoey and Dee over the past twenty years. All the music was arranged and produced by Zodia and is being released through their own publishing company and record label, Rings True Records.

Note worthy guests include Bobby Jones of the Bobby Jones Trio, who toured with Sammy Davis Jr. and who also works with the legendary former leader of the Tonight Show Band, Doc Severinson.  He is the featured guest keyboardist.  Well known recording artist Jeff Jarvis who has done outstanding work with the likes of Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets), appears on trumpet and flugelhorn on several cuts and also provides horn arrangements. Bobby Militello, who is currently touring with Dave Brubeck, is the featured saxophonist on two songs as well as flute on another. Bassist Jimmy Kurzdorfer, formerly of Spyro Gyra, is also featured, as well as vocalist and recording artist Colleen Williams who is guest lead vocalist on one ballad. Additionally note worthy is Zodia's project consulting producer and highly respected audio engineer Larry Swist, who compiled and mastered the entire CD at his own facility, Evenfall Acoustics in Grand Island, New York. Larry mixed 13 of the 14 songs on the project and has been working with Zodia for the past four years. They have developed a great working relationship together. Larry has been honored for excellence recently in Mix Magazine: www.lpswistdesigns.com/news.html.  Some of Larry's past credits include work with: Spyro Gyra, Chuck Mangione, Dizzy Gillespie, The Everly Brothers, Harry Chapin, Ike and Tina Turner, Bruce Hornsby, Chick Corea, Richard Stoltzman, Weather Report, Doc Severinsen, Judy Collins, Dion Warwick, Eddie Gomez, Steve Gadd, Jimmy Messina, David Clayton Thomas, Roger Glover, Marcus Miller, George Duke and more.
Award winning artist John Reiss of JRA Interactive, Inc. based in Newport Beach, CA designed the artwork for Zodia’s CD and premiere Western New York photographer Jim Bush provided photography for the cover.

Zodia’s music is best described as multi-genre, as it covers a wide span of styles and influences. Some cuts could be categorized as Smooth Jazz, some as Latin Jazz, some are Pop, some are R&B flavored and some have a hint of World mixed in. All the selections on the CD are powerfully vocal centered. Although their music crosses genres, the cohesive factor is Zoey and Diana’s signature vocal sound together. As composers, their approach differs, but theie vocals provide the glue throughout this project. They are both equally passionate about the music and their message, which is one of world unity and peace: Thus, the name: Unconditional Harmony. Finally, this project is a triumph for both mother and daughter, as they each overcame many obstacles to complete it. Diana is a seventeen year cancer survivor and although she still struggles with the cancer, she is determined to beat it. Zoey overcame a neck injury and nerve damage to be able to play the piano once again. They both held fast to a 25 year vision to build their own studio, start their own label and complete this CD!