Jerry Vivino:

Jerry Vivino was the son of Emily and Jerry Vivino Sr., on January 8, 1954 in Paterson, New Jersey. The Vivino family was a constant source of music and art throughout Jerry’s childhood, and into his teens. Jerry was influenced by his parents and was exposed to Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. Floyd Vivino, his older brother, loved Louie Prima as well as great swing and jump music from the 30’s to the 40’s and 50’s. Jerry discovered that he liked listening to many types of music. He even enjoyed symphonic music. His favorite composers were Debussy, Stravinsky and Leonard Bernstein. He tried to learn guitar at the tender age 7 but failed. (That would have been reserved for another family member). His third grade teacher gave him a recorder for soprano at the age of nine. Within two or three weeks, he was proficient with the instrument. His parents noticed his progress and Jerry began clarinet lessons at the age of 10. He was able to quickly learn classical clarinet and studied with Ray Gerrard and Frank Vivino (his father’s cousin). When Jerry was 14 years old, he purchased his favorite Jethro Tull album, “This Was” and still has it today. Al Kooper’s original Blood Sweat and Tears was also a favorite of his, and their first album, “Child Is Father To The Man”, was his favourite. Jerry actually wore all three of Chicago’s original albums. Elton John and James Taylor were his favorites back then, as well as Sly and Family Stone. Jerry loved R a lot.

Sue Williams:

Acoustic and electric bassist Sue Williams is a New York City based freelance musician who has performed with Eric Clapton, Steve Cropper, Joe Walsh, Eddie Brigati, Bernard Purdie, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, Vanessa Williams, John Popper, Darlene Love, Ben E. King, Robert Palmer, JD and The Straight Shot, South Side Jonny and The Asbury Jukes, Phoebe Snow, Richard Hell and The Voidoids, La Bamba and the Hubcaps, Milt Hinton Bass Quartet, Cab Calloway’s Swing Orchestra, and many others.

Blue Lou Marini:

Often referred to as an “unsung jazz hero,” platinum recording artist, Lou Marini, Jr. is the seasoned soul and adept multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, educator, and producer credited with inspiring the origins of a fan-following cult across multiple genres of music.

Making a name for himself as a sideman in various high profile groups, any top New York jazz musician will tell you he’s “one of the absolute best jazz musicians.” The New York based Marini is famed for his chameleon-like adaptability to imagine and perform inventive ideas in jazz, rock, blues and classical music. Describing Lou’s performances, the New York Times said, “(he’s) the focal point of the group…(who) gives the band most of its colors and shadings, and provides it with a strongly melodic lead voice.”

Shawn Pelton:

Shawn has recorded with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Shawn Colvin, Natalie Merchant, Ingrid Michaelson, Billy Joel, Van Morrison, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, Pink, Shakira, Kelly Clarkson, Five For Fighting, Michelle Branch, Regina Spektor, Tears for Fears, Citizen Cope, Matisyahu, Jonatha Brooke, David Byrne, Edie Brickell, Marc Cohn, Richie Havens, Joan Osborne, Hall and Oates, Odetta, Pavarotti, Phillip Phillips, George Michael, Carly Simon, Dixie Chicks, Chris Botti and Buddy Guy, and has played on several Grammy winning albums for artists including Ray Charles, The Brecker Brothers, Shakira, Shawn Colvin, Les Paul and the Hank Williams tribute album with Bob Dylan.

Rave Tesar:

Growing up in a musical household, Rave began playing piano at an early age, and developed an affinity for all styles of music. He began his career working on the Jazz scene in and around New York with numerous groups and leaders. His reputation soon led to national and international tours as a side man with singer Frankie Randal, rock and roll hall-of-famers "The Shirells" and the minimalist pop group "Tirez Tirez", led by Mikel Rouse. Rave is, perhaps, best know for his long-standing collaboration with singer Annie Haslam and her progressive rock band "Renaissance". Serving as a co-writer and producer, Rave worked on several of Haslam's solo projects as well as the 2001 Renaissance "live" from Japan CD, "The Land of the Rising Sun", and the most recent Renaissance studio album, "Grandine il Vento", on which he also served as primary producer.