Big Sky City Lights is an indie folk duo whose dreamy, harmony-infused Americana sound is both vintage and of-the-moment. The project emerged as a remote partnership between NYC-based Susan O’Dea and Montana-based Nick Spear, creating unique covers of well-known songs during the 2020 lockdown. This collaboration led to the release of their debut full-length album of original music, Wake Me When We Get There, in June 2021.

Their sound is inspired by the landscapes of Montana, harnessing the dichotomy of its spaciousness and intimacy. The project’s lush harmonies and yearning melodies draw comparisons to the Civil Wars, Swell Season, the Head and the Heart, and Simon and Garfunkel. Their brand of stripped-down, cinematic folk landed them a feature on Good Morning America and garnered the attention of major music festivals, including Sisters Folk Festival and Under the Big Sky Festival on the bill with Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, Shovels and Rope, Emmylou Harris and others.

www.bigskycitylights.com

Jim Brickman’s distinctive piano style and captivating live performances have revolutionized the popularity of instrumental music, making him a driving force behind modern American music.

The hit-making songwriter is the best-selling solo pianist of our time, earning 22 Number One albums and 32 Top 20 Radio Singles. He’s garnered two Grammy nominations, Gospel Music’s Dove Award, two SESAC Songwriter of the Year Awards, a Canadian Country Music Award, and is a member of Pandora’s “2 Billion Streams” Club.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Brickman is one of pop-music’s most fascinating success stories. He jumped from a career as a jingle writer of famous tunes for advertising, to reviving the romantic standard of the popular song. His first album release was 1995’s “No Words,” and he’s gone on to sell ten million albums worldwide.

He’s written three best-selling books, starred in five TV concert specials, and is in the 22nd season of hosting the popular syndicated radio show: “The Jim Brickman Show.”

His star-studded vocal collaborations have crossed genres to feature luminaries like, Martina McBride, Carly Simon, Lady A, Michael W. Smith, Herb Alpert, Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond, Kenny Rogers, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, Jane Krakowski, and a host of country, R&B, Broadway, pop, and jazz musicians.

Hope, faith and peace are truly at the heart of Jim Brickman’s passionate songwriting. “I write music to be shared — to soothe, to inspire, to celebrate, to love. To me, music is the pure and simple soundtrack to life’s most memorable moments.”

As a true artist that lives and breathes the music he creates, Jim Brickman is thrilled to introduce fans to his most recent songs and perform them live in concert halls across the world.

www.jimbrickman.com

Ross Bridgeman is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, actor, and award-winning arranger who lives in Whitefish, Montana. 

Blending jazz and popular music styles with his crooning voice, Ross’s sound comes from a lifetime of listening and studying music spanning all genres. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Ross began playing classical piano at the age of five and has not stopped creating and performing music ever since. Lending his talents to various bands and projects over the years, Ross released his own debut self-titled EP in 2011. Recorded in Nashville and produced alongside Gregory McCubbin, the EP showcases Ross’s talents as a pianist, singer, songwriter, and producer. He also released another original album a couple years later entitled The Peachtree Dance, via the rock funk duo Mother Honey, a band he started with drummer Houston Mathews (Music City Underground), and with guest guitarist Trevor Terndrup (Moon Taxi) shredding on the album as well.

Ross is a regular producer and collaborator for artists around Montana, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City (featured under the producer tab on this website). A highlight of recent years was playing keyboards with Nick Jonas as the ’16 Billboard Music Awards. Ross Another highlight was producing, co-writing, arranging, and mixing KellyeAnn Keough’s debut album, The Real Thing. “We actually got guys together in the studio and did it live, old school, the way albums used to be made… it was a blast!”  

Since moving to Whitefish, Ross has been performing with various bands, including The MAC Band, The Tobacco River Ramblers and Double Bacon Jazz, as well as continuing to perform solo and with other local artists like Mike Murray, Big Sky City Lights, and Hannah King. He also performs with Alpine Theatre Project, as musical director, keyboardist, and actor. When not on stage, Ross also teaches piano lessons at North Valley Music school.

Montana has kept Ross busy professionally, but he still loves to get out into the mountains to hike and camp, especially with his wife Jill and puppy Scout.

www.rossbridgeman.com

Tommy Edwards is a self- managed, Independent Singer/Songwriter who was featured on the 21st season of NBCs The Voice. Originally from Hendersonville, Tennessee, a town just outside of Nashville, Edwards moved to Montana in 2012 and he now lives in Bigfork area with his wife and two daughters.

Despite growing up near a music mecca in a musical household, Edwards didn’t start performing until moving to Montana where he met local musician Luke Lautaret at an open mic night at Blondie’s, a former bar in Bigfork.

In 2021, Edwards landed the final spot on The Voice, which aired on NBC on Oct. 5, he now has nationwide bookings and is currently writing and recording his first EP. He performs all across the state at weddings, private parties, and special events.

“I am, and will forever be eternally grateful for the support I have received from the Flathead Valley, and people all around the U.S. giving me this opportunity to have making music my career and a means to support my family.”

tommyedwardsmusic.com

As a renowned and versatile pianist whose styles encompass a wide range of musical genres, Philip Fortenberry is an artist with an equally expansive career.

A native of Columbia, MS, Philip began playing piano at age four, became the accompanist for his church at age seven and performed his first solo concert at age twelve while continuing his work as a church pianist. After completing his undergraduate degree in 1980 at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS, he left the south and moved to New York City. Philip continued his studies there and holds a Master of Music Degree in classical piano performance from New Jersey City University, was an adjunct faculty member in the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University, and continued his private piano studies at The Juilliard School.

Early in his career, Philip became the musical director and on-stage pianist for the hit off- Broadway revue, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY. He was also the musical supervisor for the West End version of the show in London. Philip played for 10 Broadway shows and eight national tours including CATS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, RAGTIME, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, SIDESHOW, and THE LION KING. He was the pianist for the Roundabout Theatre’s Broadway revue of the music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, THE LOOK OF LOVE, and was the associate music director for Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman’s pre-Broadway workshop production of HARMONY. He toured the U.S. and Canada in concert performances of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER starring Michael Crawford.

Larry Gatlin was born in 1948 in Seminole, Texas, the son of a driller in the oil field. The oldest of the three Gatlin brothers, he was by age seven, already accompanying younger brothers, Steve and Rudy in singing at family and church events.

After high school, Larry went to the University of Houston on a football scholarship. Larry majored in English and developed “a love affair with the English Language” that later served him well in his songwriting.

On the strength of his songwriting talents, Larry Gatlin became known throughout the Nashville music industry. While Steve and Rudy were finishing college, Larry was already touring the small club and listening room circuit as a solo act, looking forward to the time when he could afford to expand his live show to include his brothers.

From 1976 to 1992 the brothers toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. They racked up hit after hit and and banked some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Larry penned every Gatlin Brothers hit you’ve ever heard. Larry Gatlin has written songs that were later recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Rich, Johnny Mathis, Dottie West and many more. December of 1992 marked a farewell to concert touring for the Gatlin Brothers as they completed their ADIOS TOUR with a CD of the same name. Then came a major turning point in his career. Larry took the lead role on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical “The Will Rogers Follies.” The musical then toured throughout the nation to rave reviews.

Throughout the next decade Larry would go on to write an autobiography, All The Gold In California, record a solo album, In My Life, and would occasionally tour solo.

In the early 2000’s the brothers reunited for selective road dates and 2008, recorded their first album in nearly two decades, Pilgrimage. In 2015 the brothers celebrated 60 years of making music together and released a new album, The Gospel According to Gatlin.

Larry currently resides in Nashville with the love of his life, Janis, to whom he’s been married for over 44 years. They are the proud parents of two children, Josh and Kristin. He is also “Papa” to Kristin’s daughters, Parker and Campbell.

“NASHVILLE’S RENAISSANCE MAN”
Grammy winner, and two-time NSAI Songwriter’s Hall of Fame nominee, Marcus Hummon has enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter, recording artist, composer, playwright and author. His songs have been recorded in many genres -Pop, R&B, gospel – and most notably in country music.

His best known hits are: ‘Bless The Broken Road’ (Rascal Flatts), ‘Cowboy Take Me Away’, and ‘Ready To Run’ (The Dixie Chicks), ‘Born To Fly’ (Sara Evans), ‘One Of These Days’ (Tim McGraw), and ‘Only Love’ (Wynonna). Several of his songs have been nominated for Grammys, ACMs and CMAs and Dove Awards. In 2005, ‘Bless The Broken Road’, won the Grammy for ‘Best Country Song’ (NSAI’s Best Country Song 2005 and 2007). Along the way, he has garnered numerous BMI awards, including 5 #1 awards from BMI.

As a recording artist and instrumentalist, Marcus released a critically acclaimed country record for Columbia Records in 1995, ‘All In Good Time’. In 1998, Marcus and Scottish ‘Big Country’ front-man, Stuart Adamson, released their duo album ‘Supernatural’, as ‘The Raphaels’, with Track Records out of London. He has also released several independent records; most recently, ‘The Passion’, on CTM Records.

Crystal Lewis is an American contemporary Christian and jazz singer, songwriter, and actress. Lewis has been nominated for several Grammy Awards and has won multiple GMA Dove Awards. Additionally, she has released numerous CCM chart-topping hits.

Lewis reached a commercial peak with her Billboard Top 5 albums: “Let Love In” (1990), “Beauty for Ashes” (1996), “Gold” (1998) and the Grammy-nominated Fearless (2000), which inspired young future superstars like Katy Perry and Tori Kelly.

Crystal was born in Corona, California (where she grew up singing in her father’s church). In 1984, at the age of 15, Lewis auditioned for a children’s musical film called Hi-Tops. While working on the musical soundtrack, Lewis met a member of the rockabilly band The Lifters and was asked to join. Soon after, the band changed its name to Wild Blue Yonder. They were together for two years and recorded a single full-length album.

After Wild Blue Yonder disbanded, Frontline offered Lewis a solo recording contract at the age of 17. Her first solo project, Beyond the Charade, was released in 1987. It featured the song “Breakdown”, written by musician Jon Gibson. In 1988, Lewis sang a duet with Gibson called “Lost Inside of You”.

In 1992, Lewis worked in the sketch comedy television series Roundhouse, which aired on Nickelodeon. In 1996, Lewis released her Myrrh Records debut, Beauty for Ashes. The album included three CCM chart-topping singles, including “People Get Ready (Jesus Is Comin’)”, which was honored with Song of the Year. Her next album, Gold, followed in 1998. Lewis was also featured on Kirk Franklin’s hit song, “Lean on Me” in 1998. In 2000, Lewis returned with Fearless and the Christmas album, Holiday. In 2015, her self-titled album Crystal Lewis was released, and the soulful jazz album Rhapsody followed in 2019.

In May 2022, Lewis released Together We Can, an album with guest artists and duets. The pop, soul and jazz record features Ty Herndon, Nikki Leonti, Kate Flannery, Tori Kelly, Ally Brooke , Lia Booth and others. She also sings with her adult children, Solomon and Isabella.

www.crystallewis.com

Best known for her stop-you-in-your-tracks voice, Liz Longley is an accomplished singer-songwriter based out of Nashville, TN. With her deeply emotional music, Longley has earned accolades from some of the most prestigious songwriting competitions in the country, including the BMI John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship Competition.

Her self-titled debut album received critical acclaim, being described as “something more; a cleverness, a wit and a mix of musical styles” (Dallas Morning News) and “stunning” (HuffPost). Her follow up album Weightless, released in 2016, was praised as “a thing of beauty” (Pop Dose) and “packed with instantly memorable pop rock songs…” (Popmatters).

The Berklee College of Music grad worked alongside 5-time Grammy-nominated producer, Paul Moak, on her much awaited sixth album, Funeral For my Past. The journey of her self-release made music industry headlines when her devoted fanbase raised over $150,000 to help her purchase the rights to and independently release the album. Longley became the #4 most funded solo female musician in Kickstarter history – a story covered by Billboard Magazine.

Embraced by the press and music fans alike, Funeral For My Past was described as a “…stunning new album!” (Forbes), “…from Americana to gospel-flavored soul to shimmering pop anthems” (Billboard), and included in “100 Albums Released in 2020 to Put on Your Radar” (Newsweek). The Nashville-based musician has found a loving give-and-take with listeners: Longley shares her music with the world, enriching fans’ lives, and in return, they provide her with the means necessary for her to make music on her own terms.

www.lizlongley.com

John Mock is an artist and the ocean and its coasts are his muse. From his native New England to the shores of Ireland and Scotland, John captures in music and story the heritage of the sea.

Whether appearing solo or with a symphony orchestra, John shares this heritage through his captivating concert program which include both traditional and original instrumental compositions performed on guitar, concertina, mandolin, and tin whistle. Audiences are charmed not only by John’s music, but also by his narration and storytelling, which bring to life the characters and places upon which the music is based. A multimedia version of the concert is also available, in which John’s own photography is projected, providing a beautiful backdrop for the music.

Widely sought after as a composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, John has worked with such notable artists as the Dixie Chicks, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Nanci Griffith, Maura O’Connell, Sylvia, Kathy Mattea, and Mark O’Connor. John’s credits as composer and featured soloist include performances with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, the Nexus Chamber Orchestra, the Nashville Philharmonic, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and the National Orchestra of Ireland. He has also worked extensively across the country as a solo performer.

John’s CDs (The Day At Sea, and The Keeper’s Companion), can be found in many of America’s maritime museum shops, as well as at all major online retailers, and on this website.

johnmock.net

Wendy Moten is an exceptional, adaptable singer, a pure musical spirit, and a bridge from Memphis to Nashville to the rest of the world. Respected in the music industry as a consummate professional for years, the wider public discovered her talent and charm through her remarkable run on NBC’s THE VOICE in 2021. She turned all four judges’ chairs on her blind audition and ended up finalist overall.

A native of Memphis, Moten sang R&B on a major label in the 90s then moved to Nashville to become an in-demand harmony singer. She spent 15 years as the key support voice for Julio Iglesias.

Wendy has toured with Martina McBride, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, and Vince Gill. She’s performed as a soloist on the Grand Ole Opry multiple times and has been a featured artist in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Musician Spotlight series. In 2019 she joined the Grammy-winning Nashville western swing band The Time Jumpers.

“A voice so powerful, so transcendent” – Kelly Clarkson

“Spectacular” – Ariana Grande

“So much light” – John Legend

“One of the greatest vocalists on The Voice ever” – Blake Shelton

www.wendymoten.com

Jonell Moser is as honest as they come, both in her personal life and in her music, which is stunning in its raw power, scope and ability to take you places you’ve never been. Jonell has a voice that can belt like Janis Joplin but also convey the finesse of folk, jazz and Southern soul. She is a true musician’s musician. Her own records have been first-rate, but she has also been summoned to sing backup studio vocals for the likes of B.B. King, Trisha Yearwood, Etta James, Wynona (on the hit “No One Else on Earth”), Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Waylon Jennings, Patty Smyth, A.J. Croce and Bruce Cockburn on his popular “Last Night of the World.”

Jonell started singing at a young age, rising to do jazz standards in piano bars in her childhood home of Louisville. Her dad, a retired Air Force Master Sargent, had died of a heart attack when she was 3, so she was brought up by her mother, Joy, who loved jazz. She then came to the attention of Bonnie Raitt producer Don Was, after hearing her do demos of Townes’ songs to be pitched to Raitt. Don was so supportive that he soon put a band together with Jonell as lead singer. He rounded up A-listers such as guitarist Mark Goldenberg from Jackson Browne’s band, keyboardist Benmont Tench from Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. They recorded 7 songs and were named the New Maroons.

Her second album was “So Like Joy” in 2000, a smart, sophisticated batch of songs that Jonell wrote with John Hall (of Orleans fame) and Johanna Hall. Next up was “Enough Rope,” a 2001 album that Allmusic.com proclaimed had “enough class, muscle and tough grace to stand out from the pack.” Then a lull followed as Jonell turned to raising her sons, before her “powerful “Trust Yourself” CD came out. And perhaps the most intriguing project she’s been involved with in is being one of the Freedom Singers, who perform under the auspices of the First Amendment Center headed by former USA Today editor Ken Paulson.

She has sung with Mavis Staples, Levon Helm, Sam Moore, Bruce Cockburn, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson. I’ve met and plaedy music with so many great people, most of whom I feel I can call my friends.”

www.jonellmosser.com

Musician, model and actress Halladay Quist was born and raised under the Swan Mountains in Montana, living the life of a traveling musical gypsy and loving the hum of a big bus engine under her feet. The daughter of a famous musician Rob Quist, harmonies became the background music of her childhood and she began developing an innate passion for music of all kinds.

Halladay started her musical education early with piano at age six and guitar soon after. Her first songs were written in the turbulent years of teenage readjustment, a sweet escape from the trials of adolescence and the loss of her warrior conservationist aunt who passed at her childhood home, a Montana ranch. With a little nudging from her father, she started getting stage experience in her teens, singing classics like Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Me Like a Man.” 

Halladay was handed her first belt notch when her brother’s rock bass player quit two weeks before a summer tour. After learning four hours of rock bass in two weeks, she went on the road after high school graduation. They ended the tour at the Rockin’ the Rivers festival where Berry Oakley Jr. deemed her the “2-Week Wonder.” After the tour, she went to college and toured Europe for four months with a choir, singing the dark ominous movements of Mozart’s Requiem all over Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Italy. Halladay sings, plays bass, banjo, and guitar, and has recently released an EP titled In the Sun.

www.halladayquist.com

Chris is a Grammy-nominated, multi-instrumentalist songwriter from Nashville, TN.

He has had songs recorded by artists like H.E.R., Ashley Mcbride, Matt Stell, Ashley Campbell, Lindsay Lawler, The Swon Brothers, and many others. His songs have been used for film and TV in spots like The Super Bowl on NBC, Assassin’s Creed, FOX Baseball, Nashville, Reign, Call of Duty, 12 Strong, AUDI, Batwoman and others.

Chris was a founding member of the band One Flew South.  Signed to Decca/Universal, the band released its album Last Of The Good Guys in 2008 to much critical acclaim. The band played Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young and the Newport Folk Festival with Jimmy Buffet and The Avett Brothers. Their song “Friends For Life” was featured as the opening song for Disney’s Fox and the Hound 2.

Roberts was also in the original Broadway cast and National Touring company of The Civil War and performed with Sir Paul McCartney at Carnegie Hall. As a solo artist, he has released a Pop/Folk album harkening back to his Montana roots titled The Way West. His second release is Mountain Standard Time, an album of bluegrass tunes. His most recent project is a duo with Australian singer/songwriter Claire Wyndham called The Lonely Fighters.  

Robert’s writing for the theatre includes a musical commissioned by the Smithsonian for their D-Day museum in New Orleans called “The Boat That Won The War.” His song catalogues are represented by Sony Music Publishing, Warner Chappell, Anthem Entertainment, and The Bus/MusicLoft Entertainment. 

If you’ve listened to music at all during the past twenty years – and honestly, who hasn’t? – chances are Victoria Shaw’s talent has touched you. The Nashville-based, New York-born, Los Angeles-raised triple threat has either written or produced some of music’s most memorable tunes and performed on the world’s biggest stages.

Whether you’re talking about Garth Brooks, Ricky Martin, or Lady Antebellum, Victoria’s Midas touch has helped craft music that makes memories.

Victoria’s #1 compositions include Garth Brooks “THE RIVER” and “SHE’S EVERY WOMAN,” Ricky Martin’s “SO’LO QUIERO AMARTE,” Doug Stone’s “TOO BUSY BEING IN LOVE,” Jim Brickman’s “SENDING YOU A LITTLE CHRISTMAS” and “I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE YOU ME,” recorded by John Michael Montgomery and Boyzone. Other hits include Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera’s duet “NOBODY WANTS TO BE LONELY” and the Garth Brooks/Trisha Yearwood duet “WHERE YOUR ROAD LEADS.”

Shaw is the recipient of an ACM award for Song of the Year, two daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Original Song, 4 Emmy nominations and numerous ASCAP and SESAC awards. She has performed throughout the world, including opening for Garth Brooks in Central Park, playing the London Palladium, and touring with her friend and frequent collaborator Jim Brickman.

Dan is an Actor/Singer/Director based in New York City and holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from Montana State University. His Broadway credits include SpiderMan-Turn Off the Dark (where he played the Green Goblin), Susan Stroman’s revival of The Music Man, Amazing Grace, The Bridges of Madison County, and Hal Prince’s ShowBoat on London’s West End.

Sharkey’s National Tours include Tommy Tune’s The Will Rogers Follies (where he took over the role of Will Rogers from Keith Carradine at The Pantages Theater in Los Angeles), and also Tune’s Grand Hotel. In James Hammerstein III’s production of The Sound of Music, Dan played Captain Von Trapp opposite Marie Osmond.  He was featured in Scott Schwartz’s Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. Dan has performed in ten Off-Broadway shows (including over 1100 performances as Hucklebee in The Fantasticks) and many regional productions at theaters including The Guthrie, The Long Wharf, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, and The Shakespeare Theater of D.C. He can be heard on numerous original Broadway and Off-Broadway cast recordings.

As a singer, Dan has opened for Juice Newton. He has toured China, The Philippines, and Europe as a vocalist performing for Heads of State, and he has performed Sunday Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.  As a director, Sharkey’s productions of The Will Rogers Follies and Grand Hotel won the Denver Critics Award for Best Musical in two consecutive years. He has also directed productions of Bonnie and Clyde, On Golden Pond, The Producers, Fiddler On The Roof, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, to name a few.

Dan plays the character Avery Duggans in Grand Theft Auto Five-Diamond Casino.  T.V. credits include As The World Turns (Hunter), Boardwalk Empire (Herb Crocker), Prodigal Son (Gary), GIRLS5EVA (Cowboy), Livin’ On A Prairie (Bonnet Head), and he plays Jimmy in the soon to be released film You Can’t Run Forever directed by Michelle Schumacher and starring J.K. Simmons.

Dan is proud to sit on the board of the not-for-profit Amazing Place Music, a production company based in Whitefish, Montana, that brings national talent to the Flathead Valley to interact and perform with the local talent and community. Sharkey is also a two-time gold medalist in swimming at the Montana Senior Olympics and an avid skier and hiker.

After more than 40 years as a composer, arranger/orchestrator, pianist, producer and music educator, Jeff Steinberg’s work continues to span the professional spectrum which includes Jazz, Big Band, and Orchestral recordings as well as original scores for advertising, television, and film.

Upon graduating from the Berklee School in 1969, he joined The Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Buddy DeFranco and toured the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Japan. Since then, he has worked with such luminaries as Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Perry Como, and Michel Legrand, and produced and arranged music for the advertising campaigns of General Motors, McDonald’s, ALCOA, The Monsanto Company, TimeLife and others. He has arranged, conducted, and performed with and for The London Symphony, Scottish National Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, the orchestras of Nashville, Detroit and Tampa, as well as Randy Newman, Anne Murray, Art Garfunkel, Roberta Flack, Michael Feinstein, Olivia Newton-John, and Paul Anka.

His album of original material, Friends & Heroes, is a dedication to some of the jazz world’s most influential musicians. His compositions are musical sketches of these icons – Horace Silver, Thad Jones, Michel Legrand, Henry Mancini among them – and feature some of the best players on the music scene today, most notably clarinet legend Buddy DeFranco, saxophonist Jeff Coffin (currently with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), and bassist Jim Ferguson. Recorded live in the studio, the fresh attitude and creative solos make this popular collection a must for every traditional jazz lover.

His work with Village Square Music and Green Hill Productions has paired his arranging and orchestration prowess with jazz greats Beegie Adair, Lori Mechem, Jack Jezzro, and Denis Solee. As a featured pianist with his own ensemble on the Village Square label, his Jazz & Cocktails and Jazz Blends albums assemble a veritable who’s-who of Music City’s best players to present a collection of jazz standards which, like a smooth martini, are suitable for social gatherings and solitary enjoyment alike.

Steinberg has served as a frequent POPS Conductor for The Nashville Symphony and other orchestras with whom his productions of “Jazz At The Symphony” featuring the talents of Jeff Coffin, Denis Solee, Mark Douthit (The Other Three Tenors), Beegie Adair, Lori Mechem, Rod McGaha, Jay Patten, George Tidwell, Annie Sellick, Sandra Dudley and others have drawn critical acclaim and sell-out crowds.

Sylvia is an American country music and country pop singer and songwriter. Her biggest hit – a crossover chart topper – was her single “Nobody” in 1982. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, number 9 on the Cashbox Top 100, and number 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart. The song earned her a gold record certification and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Her other country chart hits include “Drifter” (number one in 1981), “Fallin’ in Love”, “Tumbleweed” and “Snapshot”. She was named Female Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music for 1982. She is also credited with making the first “concept” music video clip to air on Country Music Television (CMT), with “The Matador”.

When her contract with RCA ended, Sylvia took a break from touring and recording to focus on developing as a songwriter. In 1988 and 1989, she guest-hosted TNN’s Crook and Chase show and her own Holiday Gourmet cooking special.

Sylvia’s first independent album, The Real Story, was released in 1996 on her own label, Red Pony Records. In a May 1998 People magazine review, Ralph Novak wrote, “Sylvia always sang with more intensity and resonance than most country singers… and she can still sing a story song better than almost anyone around.”

Erica is a Jazz Comedian and multi-instrumentalist with multiple projects. Her performing career has spanned everything from touring with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to performing in the pits of Broadway, in addition to countless studio albums and sharing the stage with luminaries from all walks of the entertainment world.

EDUCATION

After graduating from the Juilliard School, Erica began a teaching artist position with Feel the Music, a nonprofit set up to work with families of 9/11, specifically children who had lost a parent in the World Trade Center. Over the years Erica has been a guest lecturer at the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, Stanford University, New England Conservatory, UNC Greensboro, and countless high schools. In addition, Erica has been a mainstay educator for Carnegie Hall’s NYO Jazz program as an adjudicator and faculty member. 

In 2019 she self published “A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory”, an informational workbook that walks novice improvisers through the most basic of theoretic concepts, taking the mystery out of chord symbols, progressions, extensions and alterations. The book has been used as a curriculum for several schools in the US, Canada and Cuba.