DESCRIPTION:
Over the last decade Jana Herzen has been on the cutting edge of running one the country's innovative and groundbreaking records labels. Motema Music is becoming a household name when it comes to breaking new indie artists via jazz, folk, world, and rock music. In the last decade Miss. Herzen has recorded and produced many artists ranging from the legendary Randy Weston and Geri Allen to up-and-coming artists like Gregory Porter and Lakecia Benjamin. Jana has a clear vision of how she see the music of the future and runs the label unlike her competitors in that the bottom line is the music always rules out.

In addition to her running Motema, she's an incredible singer/songwriter. Case in point, Jana's second release, "Passion of a Lonely Heart," showcases her diverse musical pallet ranging from deep roots in folk and rock, to jazz and world music. The disc also features jazz bassist Charnett Moffett and the two perform both some of her originals as well as some standards. "Passion" is the follow-up to her debut recording "Soup's on Fire" in which she recorded a little over a decade ago. With her endless schedule running a major record label, the time for Jana to perform and record her music is limited.

Jana is also very busy with Jazz Therapy, co-founded by jazz guitarist and Motema recording artist Roni Ben-Hur, in which they record projects every year to help the Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Fund. The money raised from the Jazz Therapy series goes to the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood, New Jersey.

As Jana and the label approach their 10th year celebration, look out for many new releases coming out during the new year as well as special shows presented by Motema featuring their artists at the venue or club near you.

To order Jana's latest disc and to find out more about Motema and their artist line-up, please visit them online at www.motema.com.