Biography

In a musical age where all too often style takes precedence over substance, it’s the rare singer/songwriters who lay their truest and deepest emotions bare for the world to hear and experience. Ellen Bukstel (www.ellenbukstel.com) is the real deal, a maverick, multi-faceted break-the-mold original that is quickly emerging as a pre-eminent folk/pop artist of our time. A consummate artist whose community activism and musical vibe harkens back to the 60s--even as she addresses the world, often in provocative terms, very much in present tense--she has inspired and excited thousands of fans around her home base of South Florida and beyond with straight talking, heart on her sleeve, from her soul to yours lyrics.

Those who dive into the full sweep of the 15 tracks on her lifetime in the making indie solo debut Daddy’s Little Girl quickly agree with pop superstar Michael Bolton, who calls Bukstel “an amazing artist and spirit.” But they seriously have no idea whether to laugh or cry. The good news is, they can do both, drying their tears the minute she angles for their funny bone. One minute she’s offering her crafty wit in describing her experience with menopause “Is It Hot In Here, Or Is It Me?” or the frustration of being a voter in South Florida “They Lost My Vote,” both co-written with good friend and fellow baby-boomer Nancy Wuerzburger and both songs winning the The Wildflower Music & Arts Festival Songwriting Competition. Then—hang on tight to those heartstrings--on poignant expressions like “Wooden Box” and “Grow Up And Change The World,” she tries to find meaning in the tragedy that inspired her to start writing songs: losing her beloved husband Doug Segal, a hemophiliac who contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion and died in 1988 at age 36.

“I think when songwriters start composing, their natural tendency is to begin with love songs, and the first few I ever wrote were in this vein, but dedicated to my husband who had recently died,” says Bukstel. “I also wrote ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’ as a tribute to my father who died from Alzheimer’s Disease. When I performed these songs everyone would cry. I got older and started having hot flashes, I was commiserating about it with my girlfriends and the ”menopause” song just emerged. Music became a way of expressing my strong opinions about things, and some songs just started coming out hysterically funny."

This type of happy-sad, life embracing, fear-overcoming emotional schizophrenia truly captures the spirit of modern DIY music making—whatever the artist feels in that moment, she shares…and whatever else Bukstel is, she’s not shy about it. It’s also won her a handful of high profile songwriting competitions this past year. “By My Silence,” co-written with good friend and award-winning songwriter Nick Annis, is a gut-wrenching piece about the regret of keeping a fearful silence during the Holocaust. It won the 2008 Public Domain Foundation Music To Life songwriting competition, launched by Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul & Mary fame) to discover songwriters who address important social issues. Some of the judges included folk legends Judy Collins, Janis Ian, Tom Paxton, John Stewart, Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers.

Two other Bukstel tracks also placed in the Top 40 in that contest: “Tikkun Olam…Repair The World,” and “You’re Not Better Than Me,” a powerful anti-domestic violence song, which also won the prestigious 2008 Breaking The Silence In Song Competition judged by luminaries Michael Bolton, Ben E. King, Cissy Houston, Run-DMC and Warner Music VP Kevin Lyles. It has become the theme song for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). Long time social activist Bolton says “Ellen Bukstel’s beautiful voice and poignant lyrics create an anthem and a voice for the thousands of survivors and victims of Domestic Violence who hopefully now know that they are not alone.”

Her songs are making a huge difference in people’s lives. Renowned as an activist who puts her passions to song, Ellen has been commissioned to write songs and produce numerous fundraising videos which are collectively helping to raise tens of millions of dollars and being used as tools to raise awareness for a number of organizations. Her first video production “Faces of Violence,” created for Jewish Community Services of Miami, features “You’re Not Better Than Me” together with a photo study representing women and children in the community who are victims of domestic abuse. A beacon and an inspiration for thousands of abused women nationwide, it has received almost 20,000 hits on YouTube and MySpaceTV. For 50 year old Miami homeless shelter Camillus House’s $88 million campaign to build a new 340 bed facility, Ellen used her exceptional creative skills to write, film and produce her touching “Somebody’s Child,” which is set against vivid images of the homeless life in downtown Miami. For The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, she composed “Tikkun Olam” to help raise awareness and funds for the GMJF annual $24 million campaign.

Bukstel’s competition accolades extend back to 2002, as a finalist in the New Folk Songwriting Competition at the world renowned Kerrville Folk Festival among many others. “Is It Hot In Here, Or Is It Me?” was included on Dr. Demento’s Basement Tapes 12 (cementing Bukstel’s stature as a musical satirist par excellence) as well as unique 2006 collection called Mamapalooza: Moms Who Rock.

Beyond the tearjerkers and the songs that have the power to change hearts, minds and society, Bukstel has gained renown in political circles, as well, thanks to two of her most popular and incisive tunes, “Hey Mr. Politician” and “They Lost My Vote.” In August of 2007, Ellen “opened” for future Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium, performing her political songs to a cheering crowd of 2,200 people. She performs for many other political organizations, including the League of Women Voters, National Organization for Women and recently opened for keynote speaker, former Attorney General Janet Reno, at the South Florida Democratic Party Summit at Florida International University.

Beyond partisan politics, Bukstel’s activism and classic folk artist instincts have led her to write songs that can capture the true spirit of global harmony. Nominated and awarded the honor of carrying the 1996 Olympic Torch in Miami, she was inspired to write the highly inspirational “Raise The Torch,” which urges us all to “light the way for all the world to see/Call the world to lay down arms for solidarity.” Though she is very much in the “spiritual but not religious” camp, every year she shares her beautiful voice through the songs and liturgy of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Another element that defines Bukstel’s life and career is her solid commitment to family and friends. A native of Miami and veteran to the stage since childhood, she and her younger brother Gary Bukstel began performing together when they were teenagers and later originated their first musical group Legacy in memory of Ellen’s late husband Doug. This dynamic “sibling” duo has been performing since the early 70s and their first CD, Somewhere in Time brims with a rich blend of vocal harmonies and captivating lyrics.

Daddy’s Little Girl was produced by Bukstel’s oldest son, Brett Segal, a professional drummer, sound engineer and producer. Ellen’s son, Todd Segal, a successful young film maker in LA, has been her co-producer as well and a creative and technical force behind her powerful music videos. She is also an executive producer of Todd’s film “Miles From Home,” which recently premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. Bukstel has also run the successful graphic design studio Design Workshop Group, Inc. since 1976 and has for years, along with her brother Gary and good friend and Latin Grammy winner Paul Hoyle, written commercial songs for MasterCard International.

Summarizing her fascinating life, musical activities and her ability to cut through the fluff and aim straight for the heart or funny bone, Bukstel says, “Pathos and humor touches people. People love to laugh. And when the opportunities to speak to issues through music and raise awareness and money for important causes came up, I realized that I had that other voice as well and I’ve enjoyed developing that aspect of my songwriting. I love the fact that my music is out there, reaching people and helping accomplish good things in my community and around the world."

THE CRITICS AND HER FANS SAY IT BEST...

(Tikkun Olam) – "Wish I'd written this – a Weavers or PP&M hit!"
-Janis Ian, Recording Artist & Singer/Songwriter

(Tikkun Olam) –"This one is authentic!"
-Holly Near, Recording Artist & Singer/Songwriter

(Tikkun Olam) – "Simple powerful, to the point and so
professional sounding."
-Christine Lavin, Recording Artist & Singer/Songwriter

"Based on a concept that is important and famous, (By My Silence) makes the point powerfully and well. Lots of good song craft here with a deeply important message. All to the good!"
-Peter Yarrow, Recording Artist & Singer/Songwriter –Peter Paul & Mary

(By My Silence) – "Fine old fashioned political songwriting is alive and well in the familiar text"
-Holly Near, Recording Artist & Singer/Songwriter

"Keep on singin, girl! You have a gorgeous voice. Your work is fantastic...you are as good as it gets in every way that matters --your passion, your voice, your musicianship, your meticulous recordings...."
-Christin Lavin, Singer/Songwriter

"It is a treat to witness the evolution of a significant talent. Ellen expresses that imagination with her beautiful voice, guitar and keyboard. Her award winning songs chronicle the joys and sorrows of a colorful tapestry still being woven...She conveys a depth of concern for the ever-increasing threats to world peace and to our own democratic rights. All this is related to the audience through a brave, though humorous and earthy connection between the world of musical performance and that of the social “bard” or “troubadour” from which the most powerful and relevant strand of folk music derives it’s roots. It’s not an act. It’s real."
-David Engels, at Sunrise Musical Center

"The music filled the room, with harmonies entwining like good lattice work. As I listened to the lyrics I wondered how she could possibly know so much about me....who told? Then someone made a comment in a similar vain, so I guess the universality of the lyric sentiments became obvious. What also had powerful impact for me was the stage presence. The strong eye contact and response made me feel like a participant rather than an observer. The evening was filled with original music and came to a strong ending. The room quaked."
-Deanie Heller, Broward Folk

"How about a wonderful evening of listening to one of the most beautiful songbirds in South Florida...from Ellen’s sweet lilting voice to the perfectly played acoustic guitars, keyboard and percussion, you’re in for a rare treat and a memorable night."
-Carol Ulbrich, Entertainment News & View

"Brother - and - sister team Ellen and Gary Bukstel form the core of the folk-pop ensemble Legacy, which also includes multi-instrumentalist and singer Andy Neuman. Their album “Somewhere in Time”.....brims with love songs, some heart wrenching, others perky. Outstanding tunes include the title track and “Another Place in Time.” Profound yearning — for kinship, tranquility, re-connection with a lost love — is the theme in both ballads, which feature Ellen’s warm voice and the trio’s Peter, Paul, and Mary-sounding harmonies. Gary’s adroit finger picking shimmers."
-Nina Korman, MIAMI New Times


VIDEO COMPETITIONS
• 2008 19th ANNUAL International Galaxy Awards - BRONZE WINNER
• 2008 DAVEY Awards - (3) SILVER WINNER

SONG COMPETITIONS
• 2008 Hollywood Music Awards, Best Political Song WINNER
• 2008 Paul Stookey’s Music To Life PDFoundation, WINNER
• 2008 Breaking The Silence in Song - WINNER
• 2007 Wildflower Arts Singer/Songwriter WINNER
• 2007 South Florida Folk Festival Singer/Songwriter FINALIST
• 2007 PlowsharesSinger/Songwriter FINALLIST
• 2006 Woody Guthrie HONORABLE MENTION
• 2006 Paul Stookey’s Music To Life Song SEMI-FINALIST
• 2005 South Florida Folk Festival FINALIST
• 2004 USA Songwriting Competition FINALIST (Comedy)
• 2004 Woody Guthrie National Songwriting FINALIST
• 2004 South Florida Folk Festival FINALIST
• 2003 Woody Guthrie Songwriting HONORABLE MENTION
• 2003 OSCA “One Plus One” FINALIST
• 2003 South Florida Folk Festival AUDIENCE CHOICE
• 2003 South Florida Folk Festival FINALIST
• 2002 USA Songwriting Competition FINALIST
• 2002 New Folk Songwriting Competition FINALIST

NATIONAL CD COMPILATIONS
• 2006 CD Compilation: Momapalooza, Moms That Rock
• 2005 CD Compilation: Protest Songs for a Better World
• 2004 CD Compilation: Dr. Demento 12

LICENSING / PUBLISHING
• 2007 Published Lyrics: Mamapalooza
• 2007 MamaPUBlooza Publishing Company (film & TV licensing)
• 2007 Assoc. of Unity Churches National Songbook
• 2005 Published Lyrics: Mamapalooza: The MOM Egg

MUSIC AND VIDEO PRODUCTION
• 2006 Jewish Community Services Domestic Abuse
• 2006 Greater Miami Jewish Federation Campaign 2006:
• 2008 Camillus House Homeless Project Campaign 2008

SELF PROMOTION VIDEO PRODUCTION
• They Lost My Vote Music VIdeo (2 versions)
• Hey, Mr. Politician live at Miami-Dade County Auditorium
• You're Not Better Than Me Faces Of Violence (2 versions)
• Breaking The Silence In Song Competition New York City
• George Goehring, Lipstick On Your Collar

COMMERCIAL SONGS AND CREDITS
•1995 MasterCard Bermuda Annual Meeting
•1996 MasterCard Miami/Nassau Annual Meeting
•1998 MasterCard Paris Annual Meeting
•1999 MasterCard Washington, DC Annual Meeting
•2000 MasterCard San Francisco Annual Meeting
•2001 MasterCard Mexico Annual Meeting