International recording artists and residents of Warwick NY and Vernon NJ
James Emery
Acoustic guitar/composer and founder of String Trio of New York, James Emery Trio/Quartet;
Call 845-987-8484
Mike Jackson
Certified Jazz Guitarist; Call 845-986-3475
Mark Egan
(Born 1951 in Brockton, Massachusetts) is an American jazz bass guitarist and trumpeter, arguably best known for his membership in the Pat Metheny Group from 1977 to 1980, and the Gil Evans Orchestra.[1] He is co-founder of the jazz fusion band, Elements. Egan has maintained a solo career, with three platinum and three gold albums to his credit, and has served as bandleader of his own ensembles to positive reviews. Egan has additionally played on soundtracks for film, and has kept busy as a session musician, often contributing his skills to many famous musicians, within a variety of genres. Egan has recorded with Sting, Arcadia, Roger Daltrey and Joan Osborne, among others; performed with Marianne Faithfull, David Sanborn, John McLaughlin, and Sophie B. Hawkins. and has played on the soundtracks to such American television shows and movies as Aladdin, The Color of Money, A Chorus Line, NBC Sports, ABC’s All My Children, “CNN/Headline News” and numerous television commercials. Egan continues to tour and record worldwide with his group as well as Elements, Bill Evans, Larry Coryell and various other artists.
Jeff Ciampa
Contemporary Jazz Guitarist Jeff Ciampa, nonpareil among superb artists deserving wider recognition, has worked and toured with some of the most demanding practitioners, including vocalists Harry Belafonte and Jon Lucien. His fluid melodic style, steeped in the jazz tradition, continues to inspire fellow musicians and listeners worldwide. Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, the aspiring performing artist began formal guitar lessons at the age of twelve. Upon entering college as a pre-med student, his passion for music overshadowed his desire to enter the medical profession. In short time, Jeff found himself studying at the esteemed Berklee School of Music in Boston under the tutelage of guitarist extraordinaire, Pat Metheny. In fact, several years later, he would find himself fronting a trio composed of Mr. Metheny’s sidemen who accompanied the guitarist on many of his seminal recordings: bassist Mark Egan and drummer Danny Gottlieb. Further intense studies in improvisation with Charlie Banacos elevated his talent to such heights that in short time Jeff found himself touring with Caribbean icon, singer/actor Harry Belafonte and subsequently with popular jazz vocalist, Jon Lucien.
Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra
18 Time Grammy Award Winner – United Polka Artists,
Box 1, Florida, NY 10921; Call 800-724-0727. At the time that rock was reaching its crescendo, and in the era when Country was dazzling the nation, a strange phenomenon was taking place. In essence, this phenomenon was the rising popularity of JIMMY STURR as the hottest musical attraction in the polka music field.
And what an Orchestra it is! JIMMY STURR AND HIS ORCHESTA has over 106 recordings; the excellence of these recordings has been recognized and rewarded throughout the very competitive music industry. The fact that JIMMY STURR AND HIS ORCHESTRA is on the Top Ten list of the All-time Grammy Awards, has won eighteen Grammy Awards and has received more consecutive Grammy nominations that anyone in the history of musical awards has made the music industry sit up and take notice. Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) has awarded JIMMY STURR & HIS ORCHESRA its most valued award, the Commendation of Excellence. The only one ever awarded in the polka music field.
Jimmy Sturr syndicated radio show will now be heard on Sirius XM rural/radio Channel 80 on Saturday at 6PM EST.Due to the great demand for live appearances by The JIMMY STURR ORCHESTRA they have an extensive road schedule of 165 dates per year.
Richard Kimball
Composer and pianist
Box 194, New Milford, NY 10959 In addition to the piano, during the sixties and seventies, Richard played orchestral contrabass and toured the western states with the University of Utah concert band. Beginning in the sixties, he played bass with various rock, jazz, and Brazilian groups. He also played stints with the Larry Elgart , Sammy Kaye and Tex Beneke Big Bands. Richard holds two degrees in composition from the Juilliard School. While there, he studied with American composers Stanley Wolfe, Vittorio Giannini, and the “dean†of American composer teachers, Vincent Persichetti. He received the Alexandre Gretchanninov Memorial Prize in Composition for his String Quartet and was also teaching assistant to the jazz arranger/educator Hall Overton (who arranged the famous Monk Carnegie Hall album) and the Italian composer Luciano Berio.
Jon Werking
You’ve heard Jon Werking for years, you just didn’t know it. You recently heard him playing on the soundtrack of “Gangs of New York”. Jon has played on countless films (others include You’ve got Mail and Beauty and the Beast ),as well as, hundreds of jingles and recordings. You’ve heard him (and seen him) on television playing on “Live with Regis and Kelly” as their “in house” accompanist. Jon has also appeared on Guiding Light, Loving, BET and the Tony awards. You’ve also seen and heard Jon performing on Broadway in the Tony award winning musical “Fosse”. He continues his work on Broadway to this day, currently performing in the orchestra of “Aida”. Jon has also performed with the Buddy Rich Big Band, The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and The American Songbook at Lincoln Center. He has accompanied some of the finest vocalists in jazz and contemporary music including Toni Braxton, Patti La Belle, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin,New York Voices, Phyliss Hyman, Angela Bofill and Ivan Lins. He has also worked with some of the top instrumentalists in jazz including Michael and Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Dave Valentin, Grover Washington Jr., Dave Grusin, Larry Coryell, Chuck Loeb, pianist Michel Camilo and saxophonist Bill Evans.
Rick Savage
Educated at world renowned music school Indiana University, composer / producer / engineer, videographer Rick Savage has lived and worked in & around New York City for the past 25 years. He continues to be in demand as a performing & recording trumpet player, making guest solo appearances on the CD projects of many NY area artists. One of Rick’s special talents involves bringing out the best in up & coming talent, offering tools, suggestions & directions many hadn’t thought of. Rick also has a rich composing background. He recently scored “A Whole New Day” for Cinemax, staring James Gandolfini. Other composing credits include jingles & industrial films for Nissan & Pfizer. On the video side, Savage Tunes has been documenting the seminars and conferences of two prominent psychotherapy models. Rick’s experiences as a former band member / studio musician for the following well known artists, set the stage for the makings of an extremely versatile composer / producer / engineer / videographer.
Frank Vignola
Frank Vignola, born December 30th, 1965, is one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing before the public today. His stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Emmanuel, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who named Vignola to his “Five Most Admired Guitarists List: for the Wall Street Journal. Vignola’s jaw- dropping technique explains why the new York Times deemed him “one of the brightest stars of the guitar.”
With over 1000 engagements in the last five years alone, Frank Vignola has become one of the most popular and sought after guitarists on the international music scene. His dynamic genre-spanning music has brought him to 14 countries on three continents – and still growing – performing in some of the world’s most illustrious venues, including the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Carnegie Hall, The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, New York’s Lincoln Center and the world’s oldest indoor concert hall, Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy.
Often featured on National Public Radio, Frank Vignola has also become a familiar figure on Public Television, featured previously on three popular shows, including the heavily programmed Tommy Emmanuel and Friends. His own PBS special, “Four Generations of Guitar” produced by Peter Berkow, premieres in the 2015 season as part of the forthcoming 13 episode series “Music Gone Public,” where they will be joined by special guests, Bucky Pizzarelli, Joe Craven and Tommy Emmanuel.
Vignola has written over 18 music books for Mel Bay Publications. He has also produced 8 full length video teaching courses for Truefire.com. His on-line lesson and workshop courses have had over 137 enrolled students in the last 2 years. He has and continues to conduct clinics, master classes and workshops at music universities all over the world, including Julliard and Boston University.