CJA (band)

Classical crossover group CJA (pronounced see-jay) consists of Joanne Jolee (vocals and keyboard), and her daughters, Leiticia Pestova (keyboards, vocals and violin) and Krystle Delgado (keyboards, vocals and cello). CJA's musical style is an alchemic blend of European pop, fused with the likes of J.S. Bach and Scarlatti, Celtic folk songs, traditional Irish fiddling and spiritual and poetic influences, as well as disco, opera and techno-industrial elements.

The band formed in 1998 in Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, California, under the name “Wildwood”. In 1999 they moved to Arizona and changed their name to CJA . Originally the band members were Joanne, Christine (Joanne’s oldest daughter) and Leiticia (middle name, Amber) – hence CJA from the initials of their names. CJA has performed throughout the Phoenix Valley at many fairs, festivals and private venues. They have appeared on Arizona TV-12 and TV-3, and performed the national anthem live at events such as the Coors Monster Trucks and Jet Cars Show (ESPN) and at NCAA men's basketball games (Fox Sports), given concerts at Worldport International Music Festival, the Scottsdale Festival of the Arts, the Arizona Cotton Festival, the Arizona State Fair, the Fiesta Mall, Alice Cooperstown, the Hard Rock Café, and many more. Pinnacle American Records is the independent label founded in 2002 by CJA.In 2002 Christine, now a stay-at-home mother, pulled out of the band and was replaced by Krystle.

Notable Achievements

CJA was nominated for "Best Female Band" at the Arizona Infusion Music Awards in 2001 and was named "Best Pop Band in Arizona" as part of the Dream-to-Reality Artists Awards program in 2002. In 2007 they were selected as one of 60 bands out of more than 10,000 to audition live in Las Vegas for the Next Great American Band on [Fox|Fox.The taping for the show premiere was held at [Lake Las Vegas|Lake Las Vegas, Nevada the week of August 18, 2007. The The Next Great American Band judges were John Resnik of the Goo Goo Dolls, drummer Sheila E., and Aussie Idol judge Ian Dickson.

Discography

1998 - Nothing But the Best (Wildwood)
#Nothing but the best
#Time
#Hungry World
#The Garden Tree (Song of Songs)
#Ancient Prayer
#The Arrow and the Song (Longfellow)
#Midnight blue
#Loss – A teenage tragedy
#Heaven Keep its Hold on You
#Here is a Woman
#Sunrise

2002 - Stand Up Now (CJA)
#Love Would Never Keep Us Apart
#Stand Up Now
#Moving On
#See the World
#Do the Same
#It is Good to be Alive
#Magic Wand
#That’s Music
#Angel in the Whirlwind
#The Smartest Thing I’ve Done
#You Are Loved
#Irish Medley (Irish fiddling)
#Christmas Medley

2006 – Things Have Changed (CJA)
#Change Your Life (prelude by J.S. bach)
#I waited for You All My Life
#Kissings (Shelly/la Folia)
#They’re Heroes
#Perfect World
#Make it Happen
#Stay together
#I Believe I Can Conquer
#Always
#You’re the One I Choose
#Catharsis Medley (Irish fiddling)
#Tempest

External links

* [http://www.cjaonline.com Official Website]

Video

* [http://www.cjaonline.com/foxinterview.htm CJA - Fox Interview]

References

Irish-Pop Band CJA Moves to Arizona
* http://www.azirishmusic.com/Article_07202000.htm

Parents, children and grandchildren linked in harmony
* http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/85753

Downtown Musicians release New CD
* http://www.downtownmesa.com/JanFeb07Focus.pdf (page9)