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THE
2004 CONNECTICUT SONGWRITING AND PERFORMANCE CONFERENCE CURRENT
LIST OF PRESENTERS
(Additional presenters may
be added, and there will
also be several vendors, panelists,
exhibitors and performers. Program is subject to change based on
presenters availability on the day of the conference )
Jen Chapin
(For most up-to-date info on Jen's recent record-deal and her
national tour, visit her website at
http://www.jenchapin.com)
Jen Chapin (daughter of Harry Chapin), is a
third generation member of one of America's most influential
musical families. She is currently chairperson of World Hunger
Year, New York. Jen Chapin's songs reflect a diversity of
experience in life and in music. She has been a student of
International Relations in Mexico and Zimbabwe and a teacher of
high school music in Brooklyn. She has performed at folk
festivals in New England, on jazz-funk records in Switzerland,
and most recently on Nile Rodgers' celebrity benefit remake of
the dance classic "We are Family." All of these moments cohere
in her intelligent, honest, and beautifully crafted music. Jen's
earthy sound has been called "urban folk" -- an acknowledgement
of both her family's fertile folk-rock legacy, and of her own
background studying jazz and funk at Berklee College of Music.
She writes songs of searching for both solitude and community;
of the city and boys and guns; of love and loss.
In her home town of NYC, Jen has most
often at the historic Greenwich Village club where she recorded
her 2000 release Jen Chapin Live at the Bitter End. In touring
both with her band and as her unique duo with Stephan Crump on
acoustic bass, she has traveled throughout the Northeast, the
Midwest, and the West Coast, performing at the Sundance film
Festival and at various respected venues across the country. She
has been a supporting act for Aimee Mann and Bruce Hornsby. Her
song "Simple Things (On the Other Side)" is featured in Simple
Focus Films' Fresh Cut Grass, which recently premiered at the
Hamptons Film Festival.
In August 2000, Jen was chosen as the
winner of an emerging artist search by Oxygen Media, which
earned her a demo deal with V2 Records. More recently she was
honored by The USA Songwriting Competition for her song
"Indispensable," with First Prize in the lyrics category and
with the Third Prize Overall among over 30,000 entries.
As a member of the elite twelve-member
ensemble The Weimarband, Jen has recently expanded her creative
efforts into drama, acting and singing the role f Maria in this
dynamic group's innovative musical theater piece "The Blue
Flower."
As an educator, Jen combines her passion
for music with her commitment tosocial change through her
workshop "Music and Social Action." Originally conducted as a
10-session course for students, Jen now offers this workshop as
a 1-2 hour exploration of songs that make a difference -- past
and present.
Jen's dedication to the non-profit
organization WHY (World Hunger Year) recently earned her
election as the Chair of its Board of Directors. Jen is
especially committed to WHY's "Artists Against Hunger and
Poverty" program, which works to forge relationships between
musicians and WHY's network of innovative grassroots groups
fighting hunger and poverty across the country. She also serves
on the board of Secret Smiles, Inc., and on the advisory board
of "KIDS Can Make a Difference."
In 2002, Jen released Open Wide on her
own Purple Chair Music label. This album of 10 original songs,
recorded as her voice/acoustic duo with Stephan Crump, has been
hailed by critics as "brilliantly different." ; Jen has recently
been signed to a major record label. (more at htttp://www.jenchapin.com ).
NOTE : Due to Jen's busy touring schedule, her appearance is
subject to her availability on the day of the conference)
==========================================================
Alex Forbes
is an accomplished songwriter with many hits on the charts
including Taylor Dayne's #2 tune "Don't Rush Me". She is an
active participant in Songs of Love
(800-960-SONG), a unique charity that provides the healing
Medicine of Music, in the form of personalized songs, to
chronically and terminally ill kids.
A singer, songwriter and guitarist since her teens, Alex
graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Creative
Writing and moved to Manhattan to pursue her dream of creating
music full-time. She immersed herself in the New York
songwriting community, and was mentored in the art of marrying
lyrics and melodies by the late, great Doc Pomus (This magic
moment, save the last Dance for Me). Alex had a string of
hit singles as a songwriter starting in 1985. Her highest
charting song, Taylor Dayne's Don't Rush Me, Reached #2
Pop, #6 Dance and #3 on the Adult Contemporary charts, and other
songs charted with a wide variety of artists including Joey
Lawrence (Top 20 Pop song, Nothin' My Love Can't Fix),
and Alisha (#6 Dance hit, Too Turned On). Other tunes
were international hits, and many have appeared in feature films
and TV shows.
Financial rewards notwithstanding, Alex eventually became
restless writing for other singers. Her lyrics had become more
personal, philosophical and intense, and the heartfelt response
to her live shows convinced her that there was an audience for
her own artistic "voice." In 1995 Alex's debut album, produced
by Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex, Moody Blues) was
greeted with a flurry of critical acclaim and radio play. Her
first Troubadour-To-Door Tour brought her to 28 cities in the US
and Canada, and enlarged her loyal and enthusiastic following.
Recently Alex's version of starting a label, Seashell Sky,
with leap as its debut release, came to fruition. Wearing
the hats of producer, singer, acoustic guitarist and co-writer,
Alex gathered a core group of her favorite New York players to
record the CD. These included Aaron Gilmartin (classical and
electric guitars), Morgan Visconti (bass), and Kevin Hupp (drums
and percussion), the special guests including Libby Johnson (22
Brides), Mary Lee Kortes (Mary Lee's Corvette), and Jeff Pevar
(David Crosby's band). Recorded in just two weeks with
co-producer Daniel Wise, leap pulses with "live" energy
and warmth.
Consistently praised for her guitar chops, vocal phrasing and
dynamic stage presence, Alex has been celebrating the release of
leap with a series of shows in the US and two tours in
Europe. She's currently performing in NYC, writing material for
her next CD, collaborating with other artists and producers on
various projects, and exploring the frontier of music on the
Internet. (more at
http://www.AlexForbes.com )
=======================================================
Just added,
from New York --
Marci
Geller --
Marci Geller's upbeat demeanor off-stage often surprises her
fans. Her songs reveal a life streaked with conflicting tales
of intimacy, alienation and survival, yet her tenacity remains
unshaken. The passionate singer/songwriter refers to her
travails as 'life lessons' and 'fodder for creativity', allowing
the demons of her past to battle it out in her songs.
"It is never my intention to present a sympathetic character",
the pragmatic musician states. "I don't need sympathy, these
things happened, they affected me, and now I have a choice in
every moment to let them dictate my life or realize that they
have made me incredibly strong."
The New York native is at ease on stage and considers
performance a form of spiritual nourishment. "Some people will
tend to focus on that victim aspect and honestly I don't see
myself that way at all anymore. With everything that I can
lament, I still am so amazed at how lucky I am."
With a list of credits that would stand taller than the
petite singer, she boasts a lofty resume. She was chosen out of
thousands of applicants to perform her original song "We Carry
On" on 'Live! With Regis', has toured internationally as an
opening act and back-up vocalist for legendary guitarist Ritchie
Blackmore, and has numerous compositions in syndication around
the globe in the Nickelodeon show "Are You Afraid of the
Dark?" She recently scored the soundtrack to the Barracuda
Yoga video (featuring the cast from WE NetworkÕs 'Single in the
City') with co-producer/composer Gian DiMauro and was voted one
of the Top 10 Best Singer/Songwriters by Independent Songwriter
magazine. Her music will be heard in the much talked about
poignant documentary 'A Boy, A Girl, A Virus' along side tracks
from the White Stripes and Depeche Mode due for release in 2004.
The modest singer/songwriter claims, "All of that is really
great, and I am proud and so very thankful for all the places my
music has taken me, but mostly I'm thankful for the music
itself. It doesn't just help me find clarity in my life; it
allows me to connect with people who would otherwise be complete
strangers. I really feel like sometimes the songs come through
so that someone out there who is feeling alone can hear it and
feel like someone else understands. With music ranging from
sublime to bittersweet, weaving beautiful, intimate verses with
infectious choruses the singer opens up her emotional diary
inviting listeners to find their own voice in her songs.
"Every single day is a gift. No matter what, I'm still going
to out be here, doing my thing and reminding myself to
appreciate all of it." (More at
http://www.MarciGeller.com )
=======================================================
Bill Pere
Bill was named Independent Artist of the Year
for 2003, by the national Independent Music Conference, in
Philadelphia, PA. Bill is also an Official Connecticut State
Troubadour, appointed by the Commission on the Arts in 1995. He
is nationally known as an educator in the field of songwriting,
with numerous published articles. An award-winning
singer-songwriter and recording artist, Bill is a three-time
recipient of the state songwriters award for Outstanding
Contribution to Education Through Music. He is perhaps best
known as Founder and Executive Director of Local United Network
to Combat Hunger (LUNCH) using the power of popular music to
produce positive social action. Bill is the President of the
Connecticut Songwriters Association and was named Connecticut
Songwriter of the Year for 1981, and 1991. The Mystic Chamber of
Commerce named him Citizen of the Year, in 1997. In addition to
more than 300 songs, Bill has written and produced 23 original
stage plays, involving hundreds of students across the state,
and has recorded and released thirteen CD's of original music,
receiving several state awards. . With collaborator Les Julian,
Bill is co-writer of "the best children's song about a moral
dilemma ever written", as reviewed by Parents Magazine. He has
been the driving force in Connecticut for using songwriting as
an educational hub to link curricula for multiple disciplines
and for service learning. His song "The Wish" was included in
the 1-of-52 Artist Hunger Network compilation CD "The Time Is
Now" for supporting hunger relief efforts. Bill is one of the
state's foremost experts on music technology and was an invited
presenter at the 2003 Independent Music Convention in
Philadelphia,. In addition being the Editor of the Connecticut
Songsmith newsletter, Bill is a Member of CMEA, APT, National
Folk Alliance, Science Songwriters Association, is a graduate of
Connecticut's ARC program, is a qualified MBTI practitioner, and
holds a Masters Degree from Bucknell University in Molecular
Biology. (more at
http://www.lunchensemble.com and
http://www.billpere.com
).
======================================================
Don Donegan --
Don is Founder and Director Emeritus of the Connecticut
Songwriters Association, combining Arts, Education, and
Community Outreach since 1979Don has been the driving force in
Connecticut for educating people of all ages about the craft and
business of popular music. He performs throughout schools in
Connecticut, and was named an Outstanding Contributor to
Education Through Music. (more at http://www.ctsongs.com
and
http://www.dondonegan.com ).
===================================================
Nancy Tucker.
-- Nancy is a nationally known singer-songwriter, guitarist, and
comedienne. Her song "Everything Reminds Me of My Therapist"
reached #3 on the Dr. Demento charts and was included with the
internationally released 30th Anniversary Dr. Demento
compilation. Nancy has consistently been ranked as one of the
top guitarists in the Northeast, with original instrumentals
that use all parts of the instrument in innovative ways, As a
comedienne, she was the first place winner in the 2002
Connecticut Comedy festival, and has toured nationally with her
original one-woman show "Everything Reminds Me of My Therapist"
. Nancy's songs are sensitive and clever, and her velvet voice
and impeccable timing make them moving, entertaining, and
memorable. She is also an inventor, recently receiving a patent
for a device that allows playing percussion while also playing
guitar. It is no surprise that with all her creativity, Nancy
does excellent workshops on creative process. Nancy has served
as a Director and Officer of CSA. (more at
http://www.nancytucker.biz )
================================================
Les Julian :
Les is the winner of 6 national awards for songs for children
and youth from the American Library Association, National
Association of Parenting, and Parents Choice Association. .He
has served as President of the Connecticut Songwriters
Association. and was Voted #1 Connecticut Performer by the New
Haven Advocate. Along with collaborator Bill Pere, Les is
co-writer of "Donkey in a Ditch", which is "the best children's
song about a moral dilemma ever written", as reviewed by Parents
Magazine. Les has shred the stage with many of the
nations top children's performers. (more at
http://www.lesjulian.com )
=================================================
Just Added
Tom Callinan : Tom
Callinan is known up and down the East Coast as a vibrant and
versatile performer who embodies the essence of the old
Troubadours, capturing news and important topics in songs that
anyone can relate to. Named as Connecticut's first official
State Troubadour, Tom has been called a "State Treasure". Tom is
also a member of the well know group The Morgans, performing
traditional and original songs of our maritime heritage. Well
known and respected as an educator, Tom is always in demand and
has been known to do 12 or more shows in a single day, in
multiple locations. He will be sharing his expertise on
marketing and promotion for independent artists.
(more at
http://www.crackerbrl.com )
================================================
Joe Manning Joe
is a Poet, Songwriter, Historian, and Author of 2 books,
"Steeples: Sketches
of North Adams," and "Disappearing Into North Adams." He
is the writer of songs recorded by Arlo Guthrie and his songs
about baseball have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of
Fame. He is a Past President of the Connecticut Songwriters
Association and ran the monthly critique sessions for many
years.(more at
http://www.sevensteeples.com )
==============================================
Kay Pere Kay
is an Award-winning singer-songwriter. She is the Director of
Music at Union Baptist Church, in Mystic; Kay has garnered
regional renown as a Voice Instructor and Performance Coach, who
has taught at the Garde Institute for Creativity and in the
California public school system. Her original songs have been
widely acclaimed as being musically intricate, conceptually
stimulating, and emotionally moving. She serves as a Director of
the Connecticut Songwriters Association, and as Associate
Director of Local United Network to Combat Hunger. Kay is also a
Member of CMEA, and the National Folk Alliance.
(more at
http://www.kaypere.com and
http://www.soundkrayons.com )
=================================================
Harvey Snitkin, Ph.D.
-- Assistant Professor of Music, Three Rivers College; Former
Director, Eastern Connecticut Youth Orchestra, and author of the
book "Practicing For Young Musicians - You Are Your Own Best
Teacher", which has been translated into several other
languages. Harvey does workshops around the Northeast on
techniques and strategies for effective practice. Harvey is life
member of CSA. (More at
http://www.hmspublications.com
)
=================================================
Carlos Diaz.
-- Carlos is one of the top guitar technicians and craftsmen in
the region. Following in the footsteps of his father, who worked
at the original Guild guitar factory in Westerly, RI, Carlos has
intimate knowledge of guitar construction, care, adjustment,
materials, and of course, playing. Carlos is as fine a craftsman
with his playing as he is with his guitar repairs and
restorations.
=================================================
The LUNCH Ensemble
Using the Power of Popular Music to Produce Positive Social
Action, LUNCH, founded in 1989 by Bill Pere, has involved more
than 1,600 kids in concerts and plays, raising more than
$300,000 for supporting social services, and for providing
community outreach opportunities for kids through music.
The Ensemble will be featured in the evening concert, along
with other guest artists. (see
http://www.lunchensemble.com )
PLUS ,
Vendors, Exhibitors, Performers, and surprise guests.
=================================================
(NOTE: The conference organizers reserve the right to alter the
presenters or program if unavoidable circumstances require a
change. ) |
