Lavender Bass

International cello soloist, Jeness Johnson, combines passion and virtuosity unlike any other cellist of her generation. When the world famous cellist Janos Starker heard her play at age 11, he said “She is the next great talent." Bassoonist Christin Webb, featured on Ceora Winds’s album “Postcards” as well as the critically acclaimed album by Jenni Olson, “The Dreams of Birds” (Delos), was praised for her “perfectly even fast articulations and rich even tone” by The International Double Reed Society Journal. Together, as Lavender Bass, Jeness and Christin explore the intimate sonic relationship between the bassoon and cello and how the repertoire for this duo exploits the similarities and differences of the two instruments. As part of their commitment to expanding this repertoire, they continually seek out little known repertoire and commission works from local composers, with plans to record and release an album of new compositions. Audiences marvel at the technical prowess of Lavender Bass, as well as the passion and communication between Jeness and Christin during their performances, inviting the audience to become involved in their musical journey. Jeness attended the Pacific Music Festival, Spoleto Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, Meadowmount School of Music, and is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy and the Cleveland Institute of Music. She has developed her own unique improvisational skills and enjoys improvising, composing, and recording for film and television. She currently resides in Los Angeles where she is in high demand as a soloist and recording artist. Christin can been seen performing with orchestras across southern California. A dedicated educator, she maintains a private teaching studio in the San Fernando Valley, and conducts clinics and masterclasses at local high schools and conservatories. She holds degrees in music performance from Indiana University and the Peabody Conservatory, also studied at the University of Southern California.