Results for "R&B"

George Pandis

Mike Shapiro

Born: June 4, 1968

Drummer/percussionist/producer Michael Shapiro has a very diverse career in the music buisness. He acts as producer for his wife, vocalist Kevyn Lettau. He maintains a very active touring schedule with many artists in a variety of genres and he spends time in the studios of L.A. lending his sound to many recordings. Some of the artists Michael has recorded and toured with include: Debby Boone, Brian Bromberg, Bobby Caldwell, Nell Carter, Dori Caymmi, Eliane Elias, Pete Escovedo, Frank Gambale, Jimmy Haslip, Al Jarreau, L.A. All Stars, Kevyn Lettau, Armando Manzanero, Maureen McGovern, Sergio Mendes, Airto Moreira, John Patitucci, Flora Purim, Lee Ritenour, Michael Ruff, Brenda Russell, Bud Shank, Andy Summers, Toots Thielemans, Randy Travis, Sadao Watanabe and many others. Michael currently teaches Ensemble Workshops, Latin Drumming, Funk Drums, Groove Class, and Music Listening. He has played venues from C.B.G.B.'S to Carnegie Hall in the U.S

Michael J. Thomas

Born: July 14

Sax player and vocalist Michael J. Thomas was 19 when he joined the Rockabilly/Jump Blues band Jive Rockets, which opened for the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Bill Haley’s Original Comets. While gaining a foothold in contemporary urban jazz since moving to Destin, FL, Thomas’ busy gig schedule allows him to both play sax and sing in a wide array of genres.

Thomas, who became an instant contemporary urban jazz sensation when his single “Baby Coffee” stayed at #1 on the Billboard National Smooth Jazz Airplay and Smooth Jazz Songs charts in 2017/2018, has been on a momentous roll. “I’ll Never Love Again,” his explosive re-imagining of the Lady Gaga hit from “A Star is Born,” became his second #1 Billboard smash, dominating the smooth jazz airwaves throughout 2019. Thomas’ cleverly titled, silky light funk follow-up single “Sippin’ The Yak” hit #2 on the charts, remained in the Top 5 for nine weeks, and rounded out 2020 on Billboard’s Year-End Smooth Jazz Songs chart at #5. “Baby Coffee” currently has over 2.7 million streams on Apple Music, while “Sippin’ the Yak” is up to over 1.6 million and 1.5 million on Spotify. Another one of his enduring hits was “I’ll Never Love Again,” an explosive re-imagining of the Lady Gaga hit from “A Star is Born,” which became Michael’s second #1 smash, dominating the airwaves throughout 2019.

Andy Lutkoff

Born: May 6, 1951

Andy Lutkoff has been performing in SW Florida for over 25 years. He has performed with many of SW Florida’s top musicians including Joe Delaney, Jay Heavilin, Kevin Mauldin, Trimble McCullough, Doug Kirschner, Mickey Basil, Dave Morgan, Michael Baer, Tim Goodman, Brad Brown, and David Sarchet. In addition to leading various trios and quartets with the musicians above, Andy has lead the groups Straight Ahead and Saxdance. Both groups have been featured at Lee County Alliance of the Arts as well as at many venues in SW Florida. Andy is originally from NYC, but grew up in Richmond, Virginia

Vivi Hu

Born: November 11, 1990

Vivi Hu is an award-winning New York-based Chinese vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader dedicated to fostering international arts exchange. Specializing in jazz, folk, and gospel music, she works to bring Chinese jazz and folk music to contemporary America and traditional Western gospel to Chinese audiences. Through her performance and directing, Vivi’s passion for building a cross-cultural appreciation of Eastern and Western music roots results in a distinctive artistic voice that continues to captivate audiences internationally. Vivi’s vocal and performance styles connect the traditional and the popular that evoke a rhythm and dynamic reminiscent of renowned jazz and gospel artists such as Anita O’Day and Kirk Franklin

Tyler Burchfield

Born: August 5, 1989

Boston-based saxophonist Tyler Burchfield is gaining critical acclaim on the East Coast as a multi- instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and teacher. Well versed in traditional and modern jazz, funk, R&B, chamber music, Brazilian music, Afrobeat, and more, Tyler offers the unique ability to sound at home in a host of styles, all while maintaining a personal sound rooted in bold rhythms and melodic sensibility. Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Tyler was exposed to many musical influences growing up, beginning Suzuki piano lessons at age 4 and listening to classic oldies on the car radio

Shekhinah B.

Born: May 22

Shekhinah B. is a dynamic recording artist and an award-winning creative cultural producer. She has performed in multiple professional cover bands in the city, including private affairs, festivals, and club appearances. Her vocal genres include Jazz, Blues, Pop, Funk, House, and R&B. She worked as an independent contractor for several units for both background and lead vocals. With over 15 years of performance experience, a former member of the local R&B sensation Suite 215 a credited co-writer on her first collaborative LP 4 Love Affairs, Honest Intentions (2009). She re-released her single Candlelight (2009) worldwide