Results for "Philadelphia"

Greg Farnese

Born: October 21

Greg Farnese is a modern-day throwback vocalist, a crooner, if you will. He reignites the treasured and timeless classics from The Great American Songbook in his live performances and blends them with his unique interpretations of his modern -day favorites.

A South Jersey native, Greg began his career in the theatre, acting in over 25 staged productions. He relocated to Hollywood, California, performing in television, films and theatre. Missing his roots, he ultimately moved back to the East Coast, transitioning to behind the camera and started his own production company producing content for television, commercials, web content and documentaries. It was here in New Jersey, that his urge to perform was reignited and his love of jazz and his vocal abilities took root and he began singing professionally at various jazz clubs and festivals.His soulful tone and inspired phrasing, as well as his reputation as a consummate performer, have produced a wide fan base of musicians and music lovers.

Herb Smith

Born and bred in Philadelphia, James "Herb" Smith has had a successful career as a guitarist since the age of 14 years old. Recognized for his talents for many years, he has toured and performed with major artists around the world. He played guitar with Patti LaBelle for 20 years and has played guitar on stage with many renowned performers including Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross, Michael McDonald, David Sanborn, and Stylistics to name a few. Television appearances have been many and live venues he has performed at include Carnegie Hall, NY, and various Broadway Theatres including The Minscoff Theater, The Gershwin Theater and The St

Keith Stefano

Saudah Al Akbar

Saudah Al-Akbar is a Philadelphia native and has been performing in the jazz genre since the age of 14. After being heard by legendary jazz drummer, Max Roach, at the age of 14, she received a scholarship to attend the Jazz in July Workshop in Improvisation at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She was the youngest vocalist to attend the program at that time. There she had the opportunity to study with many jazz masters such as Sheila Jordan, Dr. Billy Taylor, Dr. Yusef Lateef, and Max Roach. Saudah went on to study at the New School for Contemporary and Jazz Music in Manhattan, NY for a brief period before moving on to receive her BA of Vocal Performance/Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music

Jamal Jones

Don Collins

Born: February 26, 1961

Trombonist Don Collins has based his career out of Philadelphia since 1986. He is the recipient of the 2014 Philadelphia Clef Club Jazz Award for trombone, and can frequently be heard performing with his own groups, as well as the Urban Guerilla Orchestra (or UGO for short, now entering its 15th year), the Cintron Band(since 1994, starting with the recording Musica Caliente featuring Michael Pedicin), Orquesta del Barrio( founding member 1989), Edgar Joel Orchestra and Anthony Colon Orchestra(both since the mid 1990’s), and the April 2017 premier performance of the Louis Taylor Big Band at the Clef Club. Notable engagements include, Philadelphia’s 2016 July 4th Welcome America Festival, where UGO performed with the Intruders, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes and the O’Jays; Sheryl Lee Ralph's Divas Simply Singing! at the Dell East, to benefit HIV/AIDS awareness; the Legends of Salsa Concert at the Levoy Theatre (Millville, NJ); the 10th annual Capital Jazz Supercruise with UGO, The 40th Anniversary Performance of the Brass of Peace in Alexandria, VA (founding member); the 15th Annual Martin Luther King Jazz Vespers Concert in York, PA under the direction of Jeff Stabley; 1st Fridays "Jazz in the City" concert at the Strand Theater (York ,PA) with Jeff Stabley, James Collins and Ellington Orchestra bassist Hassan Shakur; the first official performance of the Fathers and Sons Quartet ,with vocalist Rhenda Fearrington at the Milton Theatre (Milton, DE); and the 5th Annual Soul Train Cruise performing with UGO, Melba Moore, Cherrelle, The Sounds of Blackness, The Intruders and Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes. Don began his musical studies at age 7 on piano, then took up euphonium, and subsequently the trombone at the age of 9

Tom Giacabetti

Born: 1951

Known for his soulful lyricism and fluid technique, Philadelphia jazz guitarist and educator Tom Giacabetti has long been praised as an improvising artist of great sensitivity and skill. His talent as a composer of vocal and instrumental jazz works will soon become more widely known with the winter 2015 release of his first CD as a leader, “Tender Heart: Songs of Tom Giacabetti and Melissa Gilstrap.” Tom has always intended for his compositions to be sung, and his vision is now being realized through his partnership with lyricist/producer Melissa Gilstrap, who successfully collaborated with legendary tenor saxophonist Larry McKenna on his last two CDs and penned the lyrics to their song “One Falling Tree,” voted #2 favorite new release out of 100 for the year 2013 by listeners of WRTI (90.1 FM Philadelphia)

John Nicholas Peters

John Nicholas Peters has been teaching voice privately in Philadelphia since 1984 and studying vocal technique in Europe and the United States since 1974. He personally studied with numerous teachers, including Franghia Spiliopoulou, the teacher of opera star Agnes Baltsa, soprano Mireig Flery who was a friend and colleague of opera legend Maria Callas, internationally acclaimed heldentenor John Mitchinson, Franco Iglesias who taught Placido Domingo and Raymond Buckingham who taught Julia Migenes and Neil Schicoff. In addition, he has attended numerous master classes and workshops on vocal technique in Europe and the United States

Joe Soprani

oe Soprani is a noted accordionist, educator, arranger-composer whose reputation among professionals places him in the first ranks of contemporary accordionist. He has dominated the accordion scene in Philadelphia for over forty years playing in major concert halls, theatres, TV Shows and Hotels. He holds the distinction of being the only accordionist in the history of the Philadelphia Orchestra to appear as a featured soloist under Eugene Ormandy. While accordion soloist with the USAF Band in Washington, DC under Col. George S. Howard, he won the "The Air Force Roger", the most prestigious entertainment award in the US Air Force

Fresh Cut Orchestra

Active since: 2012

In the fall of 2012, the Painted Bride Art Center commissioned trumpeter Josh Lawrence, bassist Jason Fraticelli and drummer Anwar Marshall to collaborate and compose new music for a large 10-piece ensemble. After its sold-out debut, the newly-formed Fresh Cut Orchestra was awarded a grant through the Pew Center’s Philadelphia Music Project and a recording is currently in post-production. Additionally, the core trio now hosts the monthly "Home Grown Gatherings" series at the Bride inviting featured guest artists to perform with them in an informal concert setting. The members of the Fresh Cut Orchestra are a few of the many great jazz talents the city of Philadelphia has to offer