artist info

“Arriale’s brilliant musicianship places her among the top jazz pianists of the day.” – The New York Times

Pianist/composer Lynne Arriale’s career is graced by a love of melody and a joy of musical discovery. With a style that is vibrant and hard-driving, yet lyrical and intimate, Arriale provides an exhilarating musical experience. Arriale was the first prize winner of the 1993 International Great American Jazz Piano Competition, and soon launched her touring and recording career. A Motema recording artist since 2003, her 13 CDs as a leader have topped the Jazzweek Radio Charts; Inspiration and Arise reached #1 and Come Together #3, Nuance #4 and were included on numerous "Best Of" lists, including The New Yorker and United Press International. Her tenth trio recording, LIVE (CD/DVD) was named one of UPI’s Best Jazz CDs and among The New Yorker Magazine’s Best CDs of the year. Solo was named one of the top CDs of 2012 by JAZZIZ Magazine, and Convergence was named one of the top 50 CDs of 2011 by JazzTimes. She has toured internationally for the past 20 years and was selected to substitute for Marian McPartland with the 100 Golden Fingers tour of Japan.

“Grace Kelly plays with intelligence, wit and feeling. She has a great amount of natural ability and the ability to adapt that is the hallmark of a first-class jazz musician.” - Wynton Marsalis

You have heard the name before from the movies but perhaps you haven’t heard of this 22-year old Korean American singer/saxophonist/composer. Grace wrote her first song when she was 7 years old, recorded her first out of 8 independently released CD's at 12, and orchestrated, arranged and performed an original composition with the Boston Pops Orchestra at 14. As a bandleader Grace has performed over 600 concerts worldwide in such notable venues as the Hollywood Bowl, Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall and major festivals such as Montreal, Newport, and Montreux. Grace has also performed and/or recorded with artists such as Huey Lewis, Harry Connick Jr., Dave Brubeck, Gloria Estefan,David Sanborn, Esperanza Spalding, Phil Woods, and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. She’s been featured on CNN.com (Making of a Prodigy), Glamour Magazine’s Top Ten College Women 2011, and multiple appearances on NPR. Grace has won many awards: ASCAP Composer Awards, Downbeat Magazine Awards, Boston Music Awards, FNX/Phoenix Best Music Poll, and Downbeat Critics Poll added to her list naming her one of the "Alto Saxophone Rising Stars”, the youngest ever to be named.

“At last, a jazz singer who truly re-covers the standard waterfronts with fresh coats of paint. A real presence. A mad-loose straight ahead jazz diva with a gospel soul, big band heart, classical cool and improve hot.” – Jazz Times

Carla Cook is a daring Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist who sings standards beautifully but doesn't stop there. Cook is willing to put a jazz spin on songs not written by traditional jazz composers. Songs that, until you hear her sing them, you'd never imagine could be interpreted as jazz. This native Detroiter, who grew up in a musically rich and diverse environment, brings all her influences to bear within her repertoire. In her songbook you'll find elements of R&B, European classical, Motown, blues and gospel. While some jazz vocalists limit their repertoire of popular music to the swing of the 20's and 30's, Tin Pan Alley composers and the bebop of the 40's, Cook goes beyond the American Jazz Standard Repertoire.