Pol Solonar
Ukraine
When I was offered to record a composition for the Keys for Peace album, I immediately agreed, since there is a war going on in my country now and it is extremely important not to let the world forget about it
Andreas Fevos Apostolou
Greece
Andreas- Foivos Apostolou is a pianist, composer and producer from Athens, Greece. He was born into an artistic family in Athens, Greece. Theater and storytelling are a vital source of inspiration in his music. As a concert pianist, he has toured in Europe, Asia and America performing a wide range of repertoire, including premières by Thomas Adès, Leo Ornstein, Bernard Rands, Anders Hillborg, and others. As a piano PhD, he researched and discovered new works by Leo Ornstein at Yale University- Ornstein Papers Archive. He is currently a PhD candidate in Composition at UCLA. He has won first prizes in international competitions, both as a pianist and as a composer. His recent projects include composing for film, choreography, electronics, and recording contemporary music.
Milana Zilnik
Canada
Milana is a multi-award winning pianist, composer and singer-songwriter, who has been a performing and recording artist since her childhood. Milana enjoys playing by ear, improvising and using whatever inspires her to create her own style of playing. She is known as an adept improviser, catching melodies on the fly and expanding them into her own creations.
Milana was born in Ukraine, lived in Israel for many years and moved to Canada in 2008. Having lived in different countries has enriched her musical experiences and storytelling. Her songs touch on issues of belonging, identity, the inner child, war and peace, and life and death. Soulful singing and complex piano melodies are Milana’s signature, but she embraces a variety of styles – everything from folk, blues, opera and Middle Eastern, to her soft spots for rock and jazz.
Milana has published three books with original scores and released over twenty albums. Dozens of her piano solo works have been featured on Apple Music’s “Piano Chill” or Amazon Music’s “Ultimate Classical” station, streaming over 75 Million times. In 2023 Milana’s orchestral and piano solo works were performed by Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra for Bryan Arias’s ballet show based on “The Little Prince” story.
Matthieu Lebert
France
Matthieu Lebert, passionate about music from an early age, began his musical journey at the age of 6, playing on an old family piano. At the age of 13, he joined the Conservatoire Régional de Lyon, where he obtained his Diplôme d’Études Musicales at just 16. His training then took him to Geneva’s Haute Ecole de Musique, where he studied with Pascal Devoyon and Cedric Pescia. There, he obtained a Bachelor of Music before specializing in a Concert Master’s degree, completing a year’s study at Berlin’s UDK with Björn Lehmann. While in Berlin, he studied conducting with Catherine Larsen-Maguire and Lied accompaniment with Axel Bauni, while taking part in masterclasses, notably with the celebrated pianist Nicolaï Lugansky.
His virtuosity has earned him several awards at piano competitions, including the Jacques Wiss special prize at the “Joutes des Adhémar” in 2003, and the silver medal at the Lagny-sur-Marne international competition. In concert, he performs regularly as a soloist, in chamber music and with orchestras. Passionate about world music, he has collaborated with musicians in Brazil at Salvadore de Bahia and in Jerusalem.
Matthieu Lebert, driven by his desire to pass on his passion, obtained a Master’s degree in Pedagogy from Geneva’s HEM in 2017. He has taught piano at the Conservatoire Populaire de Musique de Genève and the International School of Geneva. His commitment to the democratization of musical practice led him to obtain a Master’s degree in Artistic Project Development at Lyon 2 University.
Finally, in September 2020, Matthieu Lebert was appointed Director of the École Intercommunale de Musique et de Danse de la COR, keen to continue his commitment by developing artistic projects aimed at making music accessible to all.
Leonardo Cincinelli
Spain
Originally from the countryside of Florence and trained in well-known Italian schools such as Siena Jazz and the Saint Louis College of Music in Rome, Leonardo Cincinelli began his career in Italy as a jazz pianist, recording and performing his own compositions with his acoustic trio “Lostress”.
Later, he delved into experimenting with synths and electronics with his second project, “Deejazz”, an open collective involving DJs and rappers playing alongside jazz musicians and performers of various backgrounds. They improvised together in both jazz and clubbing contexts.
Since the end of 2009, he has resided in Barcelona, where he obtained a master’s degree in music production at Microfusa school. Since then, he has been involved in countless projects and productions from around the world, emerging as the most active pianist/producer in online marketplaces such as Soundbetter and Airgigs, leading platforms for remote productions.
His personal projects or those in which he is involved as a live performer are always focused on the relationship between live improvisation stemming from his passion for jazz and the integration of electronics to shape new sounds. Notable projects include “Art.eria”, an ensemble featuring strings, flute, piano, and electronics, “Nu Epoque”, a Neo Soul/Afrofuturism/Jazz trio, “Virtuous Circle of Miles Davis” a jazz sextet by Italian saxophonist Daniele Malvisi, “Leomode”, a sophisticated beat project, and “Jazz Doesn’t Like You”, an avant-garde improvisation band.
Vedant Chandra
India
Vedant Chandra’s artistic moniker- ALBOE (A Little Bit Of Everything) attempts at being a diverse musical project with far ranging melodic capabilities. As a child Vedant was trained in the arts of Indian classical singing and the tabla. Over the years he learned many forms of percussion and started composing songs at a very young age.
Releasing his first album in 2021, ALBOE showcased his strong Indian and western influences by compiling 10 songs in different forms of electronica. His compositions use a mix of Indian instruments such as the Sitar, the Flute, the Santoor, the Tabla or the India Harp; and a range of western instruments such as the Piano, the Drum Kit, the Guitar and the synthesiser. His work is a concoction of these instruments placed experimentally to create melodic storylines.
Andrea Carri
Italy
Andrea Carri is an Italian pianist, composer and Engineer, born in 1990.
Along ten years of career, he has released several albums of modern classical piano driven music, together with some ambient experiments. He started his career in 2010 with the release of Partire (self-produced), followed by Stanze Segrete (2012 – selfproduced) and Metamorfosi (2013 – selfproduced). After the foundation of “Chronos Studio” he released Chronos (2014 – Psychonavigation Records, reissued by Memory Recordings).
During 2016 he founded “Pedala Piano” together with Francesco Mantovani and Daniele Leoni.
In 2017 he published Shadows (Memory Recordings), written together with Francesco Camminati. Then he released some singles (A Distant Ship 2019 – Mellotron, and Light, 2020 – Strange Fruits). During 2020 he published Singularity (Mellotron), a mixture between Modern Classical and Ambient Music. In the same year, he founded “Piano Sharing”. During 2021, he released The Thunder (Inspired by ‘The Outlaw Ocean’ a book by Ian Urbina) and a series of singles, driven by Felt Piano.
Andrea also loves to reinterpret famous tracks of other artists and publishes them through his YouTube channel. “I Play Yours, Vol. 1” and “I Play Yours, Vol. 2” collect the first three years of this project. Starting from 2020, he has published all the new covers with Halidon Music, available in I Play Yours – The Complete Playlist.
Andrea releases music also as A Bridge To Outer Space
Sergei Stern
United States
Music composer for film with a classical piano performance background. Wrote music for Alan Ritchson, Werner Herzog, Christian Meier, Timur Bekmambetov, Andrei Konchalovski, and two times Academy nominee Sergei Bodrov. www.sergeistern.com
Lee Musiker
United States
Grammy, Emmy and Platinum Award winning Pianist, Conductor, Music Director, Arranger/Orchestrator
LEE MUSIKER has established a distinguished and multifaceted career as both soloist and collaborator in the Classical, Operatic, Broadway, Jazz and Pop music genres.
A Steinway Artist, Lee Musiker has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Mostly Mozart, American Symphony Orchestra, Orpheus, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, the Atlanta, Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Francisco and London Symphony Orchestras, the New York, Boston, Cincinnati and Philly Pops and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
Lee was a guest on NPR’s Marian McPartland’s “Piano Jazz”, Judy Carmichael’s “Jazz Inspired”, and featured in Steinway and Keyboard magazines.
From 2001-2013 Lee was Music Director/Pianist for the legendary Tony Bennett- recordings include the award-winning albums “Duets & Duets 2”, Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga “Cheek to Cheek” and their triumphant 2021 Radio City Music Hall concerts and CBS-TV special.
Lee Musiker has collaborated with this platinum roster of artists;
Classical: Joshua Bell, Kathleen Battle, Harolyn Blackwell, Stephanie Blythe, Andrea Bocelli, Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Denyce Graves, Josh Groban, Nathan Gunn, Marilyn Horne, Sylvia McNair, Julia Migenes, Dawn Upshaw, Deborah Voigt.
Jazz/Pop: Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Natalie Cole, Judy Collins, Michael Feinstein, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Jewel, Billy Joel, Elton John, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, kd Lang, Seth MacFarlane, Manhattan Transfer, John Mayer, Paul McCartney, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Mel Tormé, George Benson, Chris Botti, Eddie Daniels, Wynton Marsalis, John Pizzarelli, Buddy Rich, Doc Severinson.
Broadway: Kristin Chenoweth, Barbara Cook, Sutton Foster, Joel Grey, Leslie Odom Jr., Kelli O’Hara, Audra McDonald, Maureen McGovern, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rita Moreno, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters.
Jon Winterstein
Germany
Jon Winterstein is a German multi-instrumentalist, composer and music producer. After having wandered through various genres rather aimlessly for a handful of years, he returned to his musical roots and released a first solo piano EP through New-York-based boutique recording studio and label Sonder House. Since then, he has made a name for himself with his contemplative sound. Jon’s emotive compositions, typically characterized by intimate arrangements and expressive melodies, can be minimalistic as well as lush, demonstrating the raw and unmasked beauty of instrumental music.
Suwon Yim
South Korea
Suwon, born in Seoul, South Korea, graduated from Berklee Global Jazz Institute’21 Summa Cum Laude with a full scholarship and learned with masters such as Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Terri Lyne Carrington and others. Suwon is a pro Jazz musician who got invited to Gutenberg Jazz Collective (Jazz Campus Mainz) Germany in 2022 as the top finalist. Moreover, she toured around Europe with Ray Brown Jr. Quartet building up numerous stage experiences and Jazz repertoire.
Suwon released her Full-Length LP album [Escape From The Underplay] in 2022 which got featured in Korean Magazine ‘Jazz People’, ‘MMJAZZ’.
Barry Hudson-Taylor
United Kingdom
Hailing from Manchester, UK, composer and pianist Barry Hudson-Taylor focuses predominantly on piano composition and music for film and television. He received formal piano training from a young age and was also part of the Blackburn Cathedral Music School for over 12 years before leaving to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Music Production from Leeds Conservatoire in 2012. It was there that he honed his craft and explored different musical avenues.
He has composed the original score for several independent films, as well as having music placed on many different television networks and advertisements around the world, including work with the BBC, Netflix & Discovery Channel.
Whilst his compositions are rarely more than one man and his piano, his overall versatility as a composer is evident in his music, blending his formal training and passion for electronic music into cinematic arrangements and atmospheres.
Gustavo Manzur Jr.
Colombia
Gustavo Manzur Jr. is a multi-talented artist known for his prowess in music and his innovative contributions to various artistic projects. Born and raised in a musically rich environment, Gustavo inherited a deep passion for music from his South American family.
From a young age, Gustavo showed remarkable aptitude for music, mastering multiple instruments and displaying an innate gift for composition. His eclectic style draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres, blending elements of rock, Latino, classical, and world music to create a unique and captivating sound.
Gustavo’s journey in the music industry has been marked by collaboration and experimentation. He has lent his talents to numerous bands and projects showcasing his versatility as a musician. Whether performing on stage or in the studio, Gustavo brings a dynamic energy and creativity to his craft, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in music.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Gustavo is also a passionate advocate for social and environmental causes. He uses his platform to raise awareness and support initiatives that promote positive change in the world.
With his boundless creativity and unwavering dedication to his art, Gustavo Manzur Jr. continues to inspire audiences around the globe, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry and beyond.
Julieta Iglesias
Argentina
Julieta Iglesias is a remarkable Argentine pianist and arranger. Classically trained, with a unique style which combines expression and virtuosity.
She was born in 1985 in Buenos Aires and started her piano studies in 1995 at the “Alberto Williams” Conservatoire. In 2001 she received the ‘Lía Cimaglia Espinosa’ scholarship and the Santa Cecilia Medal. Since then, she has been performing in important halls in Argentina, Spain, Germany, France, Holland, the U.K., Poland, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland and Hungary.
Julieta graduated from the ‘Instituto Universitario Nacional del Arte’ where she studied under the guidance of Professor Aldo Antognazzi. She also taught Piano for two years at the same institution. In 2017 she got a Bachelor of Musical Education from ‘Conservatorio Superior de Musica de la Ciudad de Bs. As. Astor Piazzolla’.
In 2005, Julieta won a Mention at the Piano Competition of the Northlands Institute and in 2007 she performed with the Vicente Lopez Orchestra conducted by Maestro Oscar Castro at San Ignacio de Padua Church (Maschwitz).
Julieta has been working with many contemporary composers. In 2010, she gave the Première of the piano works by Mauro de María and also released Volume 1 of de María’s music, to critical acclaim, and in 2013 she gave the Premiere of Vol. II.
In 2014 Julieta embarked on her first tour around Europe, supported by the Argentine Government, releasing her first album with classical musical and tango. After that, she was invited to participate in the ’15 th Festival Por los caminos del vino’ in Mendoza, Argentina. Since then, she has been touring around the world promoting Argentine music combining classical, tango and fusion.
Her first steps into composition were as an arranger. In 2018, Julieta recorded the album ‘Astor’ which is a tribute to the well-known tango composer and performed it in Argentina and Europe during 2018/2019.
In 2021 she released ‘Simply Classical’ and her first classical fusion work, ‘Londres suena a Serú’, which contains piano arrangements on songs by a very popular Argentine band of the 80’s. She also took part in many projects celebrating Astor Piazzolla’s Centenary. Her ‘Homage to Piazzolla’ for two pianos is one of her most famous arrangements. Later this year, Julieta gave the Premiere of her new versions of ‘Adiós Nonino’ y ‘Primavera Porteña at the closing of the Echoes Festival, performing a recital at the Argentine Ambassador’s Residence in London.
In 2022 Julieta was invited to participate at the Latinamerican and Caribbean Week in Paris, performing at the Embassy of Argentina in France and at the Maison de l’Argentine; and in September at the Festival of Latin America in London. One month later, she went on tour in Buenos Aires where she played with the well-known drummer Fernando Samalea, and was invited to be part of an homage to Charly Garcia, the Argentine music icon, on a very prestigious TV show.
Along with her solo career, Julieta regularly performs with her tango fusion trio Baires Connection, featuring Piazzolla’s music at important halls and festivals.
While she continues developing her activity as a classical and tango pianist, Julieta has recently released the second volume of her tribute to Serú Girán, having been awarded a grant from Help Musicians to undertake this project.
Bokani Dyer
South Africa
Born in 1986 in Gaborone, Botswana, where many artists from South Africa, including his father, musician Steve Dyer, were living in exile during apartheid, Bokani Dyer moved back to SA as a child in 1990. He grew up mainly in Johannesburg before moving to study jazz at the prestigious University of Cape Town, where he graduated with distinction. In 2009 Dyer was runner up in the SAMRO (SA Music Rights Organisation) Overseas Scholarship Competition and spent 3 weeks in New York, where he was tutored by Jason Moran. In 2014, he was invited to perform at the opening of the London Jazz Festival, as well as in a tribute to South African supergroup, The Blue Notes, led by Shabaka Hutchings.
In 2015, the Bokani Dyer Swiss Quintet reunited for a 10-show tour of South Africa and Mozambique, opening the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival and then going on to perform packed shows in King William’s Town, Johannesburg, Maputo and Cape Town. The tour also served as to launch Dyer’s third album, World Music. Following on the success of the SA tour, the BDSQ toured Switzerland in October 2015, performing in Basel, Zurich, Bern, Wintethur and Interlaken. In November, Dyer travelled to the UK to collaborate with harmonica player, Adam Glasser, playing various venues around London and keeping the spirit of South African jazz alive. In April 2016, The Bokani Dyer Trio was selected for and performed at the annual Jazzahead showcase in Bremen, Germany. Other notable activities for 2016 included: a collaboration with SA theatre director Mkhululi Mabija on his production My Daughter/ Son, producing saxophonist Sisonke Xonti’s debut album Iyonde, and performing as a soloist at the launch of the SA/Russia Cultural Seasons in Moscow and St Petersburg. Dyer curated a regular slot at The Orbit Jazz Club, the Jazzafrika Legacy Sessions, dedicated to transcribing and performing the works of SA jazz composers from the last decades.
He was also honoured to accept an invitation from legendary South African trumpeter Feya Faku to join his Quintet.
Complementing his career as a jazz artist, Dyer has also explored various other genres and is particularly interested in electronic music. In 2007, Dyer and longtime collaborator vocalist/composer, Sakhile Moleshe (ex Goldfish) founded groove outfit, Soul Housing Project (formerly Plan Be). The band continues to be active in different configurations – the full 7-piece band, 5-piece band and then the 2-piece electronic duo, which most recently performed at the Lighthouse Festival in Croatia (May 2016) and as the opening show of the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa (July 2016).
Dyer has recorded five albums under his own name. His debut album, Mirrors, was released in 2010, and provides a strong indication of the style and artistic trajectory he continues to pursue. Emancipate the Story (2011), was recorded during his time as Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year, as part of the award, and continued his musical journey, exploring the tradition and furthering the contemporary landscape of SA jazz through his compositions.
World Music (2015), was received with much respect and acclaim from both the SA and international music worlds, and nominated for Best Jazz Album at the 2016 South African Music Awards. The album features top local musicians Buddy Wells (tenor saxophone), Justin Bellairs (alto saxophone), Robin Fassie-Kock (trumpet), Shane Cooper (bass), John Hassan (percussion), Lee-Anne Fortuin (vocals) and Sakhile Moleshe (vocals). His trio album ‘Neo Native’ won the SAMA award for best jazz album in 2019. His most recent release was an album responding to the lockdown experience, produced and recorded in 2020 by himself called ‘Kelenosi’.
He composed the Original score for “Catching Feelings” a film directed by top SA comedian Kagiso Lediga.
In February 2017, he performed at the Safaricom Jazz Festival in Nairobi, Kenya. He, alongside his father Steve Dyer, co-directed the re-launch of an exciting collaboration project with artists from various Southern African countries. “Mahube” which debuted at the Harare International Festival of the Arts in May 2017.
His trio was invited to perform at the Musiques en ete festival in Geneva, Switzerland in July 2017. In 2018, he was invited to perform at Festival Metis in Paris, France. In 2019, the trio was invited to take part in the prestigious ‘Piano Trio Festival’ hosted by the legendary Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London, UK.
Oleg Akkuratov
Russia
Akkuratov was born on October 21, 1989, in the city of Yeisk, Krasnodar Territory. Blind from birth, at the age of four, the boy began to show extraordinary musical abilities, playing the melodies he heard on the piano. The teachers of the Yeisk School of Music immediately took the boy to the 1st grade. And two years later he entered a specialized music school for blind and visually impaired children in the city of Armavir, Krasnodar Territory. Later, in parallel with his studies at school, Oleg studied at the Moscow State College of Music of Variety and Jazz Art, in the class of teacher Mikhail Okun. Akkuratov entered the pop and jazz department of the Institute of Music of the Moscow University of Culture and Art after graduating from the College of Music in 2008. In 2015, Akkuratov graduated with honors from the Rostov State Conservatory in 2017 – Postgraduate studies in chamber music. During his studies, Akkuratov took part in concerts and became a laureate of various music competitions, including international ones. Previously, he lived in the village of Morevka near Yeisk. He worked as a soloist of the Russian Opera Theater, artistic director and soloist of the Eisk Jazz Orchestra MICH-Band (piano).
Akkuratov took part in a concert with the opera singer Montserrat Caballe, performed with Evelyn Glennie. He took part in the world premiere of the international charitable action “Thousands of Cities of the World”, performed at the residence of the Pope as the UNESCO World Consolidated Choir.
Oleg Akkuratov plays jazz and classical pieces. He sings in many languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and others. Lyudmila Gurchenko dedicated her debut directorial work to Akkuratov – the film “Colorful Twilight” shot in 2009.
November 24, 2009, was the hero of Andrey Malakhov program “Let them talk”.
In 2013, Oleg Akkuratov began to work closely with People’s Artist of Russia Igor Butman. As a member of the Igor Butman Quartet and the Moscow Jazz Orchestra, Akkuratov toured Latvia, Israel, the Netherlands, Italy, India, the US and Canada and many other countries.
In 2013, Oleg Akkuratov performed at the Igor Butman festival “Triumph of Jazz”. In May of the same year, Akkuratov, along with double bass player Keith Davis, drummer Mark Whitfield and saxophonist Francesco Kafiso, took part in Igor Butman’s international project “The Future of Jazz” and the projects “Chereshnevy Les” in Moscow, “Aquajazz. Sochi Jazz Festival” in Sochi.
In March 2014, his performance completed the closing ceremony of the XI Paralympic Games in Sochi.
In April 2015, at the invitation of Winton Marsalis, Akkuratov performed at the Rose Hall of New York’s Lincoln Center with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. On February 1, 2017, in the Svetlanov Hall of the Moscow International House of Music, Akkuratov’s first big solo concert with Igor Butman’s participation took place. In October of the same year, Akkuratov, as part of his own trio, performed for several thousand guests of the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi.
In 2018, Oleg Akkuratov took part in the Gala Concert of the International Day of Jazz organized by UNESCO was awarded the Moscow Mayor’s Prize, and also took second place at the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, held in the homeland of jazz, in the USA.
Daniel Vadillo
Mexico
Composer and pianist from Mexico City (1989). He began his musical education at an early age taking piano lessons with his grandfather Segundo Vadillo who was a professor at the National Conservatory of Mexico, when his grandfather passed away, Daniel studied piano with several private piano teachers and in 2009 he entered the Centro de Investigación y Estudios Musicales (CIEM) to study Composition and Music Theory. At CIEM he obtained the following degrees: BA in Composition and Music Theory, Amus LCM and LMusLCM with the endorsement of the University of West London.
He completed the Diploma in Composition for Film and Performing Arts taught by the Núcleo Integral de Composición (NICO).
In 2015 he moved to Rotterdam to study the Master in World Music taught by Codarts (Rotterdam Conservatory) successfully concluded in 2017. He returns to Mexico in 2018. He has played in festivals of international stature such as the North Sea Jazz Festival , Floripa Jazz Festival and venues such as the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Daniel has also shared the stage with musicians such as Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Panaiotis Andreou, Tony Glausi and Lucia Gutiérrez.
Daniel is a multifaceted musician, his music is a mix between the colors of jazz strongly influenced by film music and his heritage of Latin rhythms.
Phil Turcio
Australia
Phil Turcio is the Australian music industry’s quietest achiever.
Born into a family of professional musicians, Phil commenced playing the piano at a very early age.
He has worked with both local and international artists as a pianist, composer and producer and has penned hits for Australian Idols and icons alike.
From composing music for the Sydney Olympics in 2000, and the World Youth Day 2008, to television themes and playing with international artists, Phil’s flexibility as a musician keeps him in constant demand.
His list of credits include; Hugh Jackman, Olivia Newton John, K.D. Lang, Dave Weckl, Virgil Donati, Will Kennedy, Gary Meek, Rick Fierabracci, Tom Brechtlein, Westlife, John Farnham, Guy Sebastian, Gary Pinto, Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Jessica Mauboy and numerous others.
He recently toured with Larry Carlton and his group on his latest Australian tour.
Over the years, Phil has worked on many Australian television shows including Hey Hey it’s Saturday, Australia’s Got Talent, Carols by Candlelight, and In Melbourne Tonight to name a few.
Phil and his band ‘Hemispheres’ were nominated for a Grammy in 2008, for ‘Best New Contemporary Jazz Group.’
His recording studio in Melbourne now sets the scene for Phil to develop upcoming artists, record, program, compose, and produce.
He is unquestionably one of Australia’s finest all around musicians.
Pacho Chibas
Cuba
Pacho Chibás is an outstanding pianist, composer, orchestrator and producer. His plentiful abilities lie in his inspired interpretation of various musical styles and genres. In addition to being a producer with a deep understanding of the music industry, he has a long career as a teacher and extensive touring experience as pianist and musical director. His contributions in numerous albums and singles of a varied array of artists positions him as one of the most versatile musicians of his generation.
Pacho was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1989, where he magically fell in love with music from an early age despite having no musical influences in his family. Growing up in the vibrant 1990s in Cuba, where the Cuban timba movement was flourishing, Pacho immersed himself in an effervescent musical environment that would leave a profound mark on his style of performance and composition. Although his academic training at the National School of Music was based on European classics, he demonstrated amazing versatility by also learning jazz and covering the entire spectrum of Cuban popular music.
His distinguished career includes tours and recordings with: Juan Formell, Samuel Formell, Issac Delgado, Alain Perez, Andres Levin, and Los Van Van as well as performances as a featured artist at venues such as Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival in Los Angeles, North Sea Jazz Festival in Curaçao, Artes de Cuba Festival in Washington DC, WOMAD in Santiago de Chile, Tempo Latino in Toulouse, PANAM in Toronto, and The New Orleans Jazz Festival, among others. He is the musical director of ALMA a Broadway style theatre show that had its premiere in Havana in 2023 and is slated to tour the world in the near future.
Walentyn Dubrowskij
Poland
Walentyn Dubrowskij is a pianist, accordeonist, arranger, accompanist and musicologist, born in Kyiv, where he graduated the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. He started playing the piano at the age of four, and at the age of five he enrolled in a music school. He has been living and working in Poland since 1996. He plays jazz, funk, blues and cabaret music.
Walentyn is also a sound engineer with his own recording studio, where he records albums and film soundtracks, most of which he composes himself. Since 2015 he is a director of the Jewish Community Centre Choir in Krakow.
Since 2018, he has been the founder and board member of the Artchata Foundation, which implements international artistic and educational projects. He is also a co-producer of films made by the Foundation.
Walentyn regularly gives concerts in Poland, European Union countries, Georgia and in the Middle East, collaborating with renowned musicians and vocalists.
Chelsea Laverne
Netherlands
Chelsea Laverne is a Dutch keyboard player, pianist and artist and was born in Amsterdam. She started to make music when she was seven years old. She got accepted at the Pop Academy in Amsterdam after high school and studied at the Conservatory of Haarlem and graduated in 2018. Chelsea draws her inspiration from styles such as Neosoul, Disco, Fusion, Pop, Synthsoul, House, Soul, Jazz and Funk. She is known for her “funky rhythms, steady timing and groovy sounds”. The band Snarky Puppy, singer Ledisi and keyboardists Shaun Martin, Dennis Ham (Thundercat, Knower), Matt Johnson (Jamiroquai) belong at the top of her list of inspirations in music.
Sharing the stage with many inspiring artists, including names such as Sven Hammond, Candy Dulfer, José James and Colin Benders (Kyteman). Chelsea is also playing with the Soundwise band led by Musical Director Eric van Tijn at several major shows and events including ‘Holland sings Hazes in the Ziggo Dome, The Passion and the Christmas Music Gala with the Royal Queen Maxima’.
Since December 2020, Chelsea is part of the 16-piece Sven Hammond big band led by Sven Figee known from the musical and popular Saturday night tv-show ‘Matthijs Gaat Door’. The musician also played piano for 3 years in the dutch version of the Broadway Musical ‘Tina, the Tina Turner Musical’.
Chelsea also composes her own songs as funky alter-ego Miss Meredith. Among other things, the keyboardist had the opportunity to record a “60 second solo” video of her own work for Red Bull Music. This video was distributed on Red Bull’s national and international social media channels.