by Abi Braceros | Dec 3, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2024
With multiple talents and experiences in musical theater, vocal jazz and classical soprano singing, Joy Belt-Roselieb has dedicated the last 25 years of her career to teaching vocal music at South High School in Downers Grove, Illinois. Her highly advanced students have produced amazing concert performances year after year in places from Illinois All-State Festivals, to venues in New York, London, and Austria. As a musician, Joy is equally at home on stage as a big band jazz vocalist, directing high school musicals and choral ensembles, or as a soprano soloist with professional choirs and orchestras. Her passion for singing can be heard in the rich and smooth tones of her jazz voice all the way through the thrilling coloratura of her operatic brilliance.
by Abi Braceros | Dec 3, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2024
Craig Roselieb plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophones with the Belford Hernandez Quartet. This group has recorded several of his original jazz compositions that have been rearranged for small jazz combos. Craig retired in 2018 from a 33-year career teaching high school bands in Downers Grove, Illinois. Now an active jazz saxophonist, teacher, clinician and composer, Craig performs weekly on alto saxophone with the Pete Ellman Big Band NFP in Naperville, IL. The band’s latest album, “Live at The Venue” features eight of his original jazz big band compositions, and the group has recently shared the stage with several jazz artists including Jeff Coffin, Dave Weckl, Louis Dowdswell, Bob Reynolds, Ernie Watts, Brad Goode, Steve Wiest, and Tom “Bones” Malone.
by Abi Braceros | Dec 3, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2024
A native of Venezuela, Belford Hernandez is an accomplished pianist, composer, and conductor. He is the current choir director at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois, and is also the director and founder of the Cantores Community Choir, located in Downers Grove, Illinois. Belford has recorded several solo piano albums, and is the jazz pianist for the Belford Hernandez Quartet. The group’s latest recording features several of his original compositions for the quartet, as well as solo piano, and as a duo with Craig Roselieb on saxophone. As a composer, Belford has also written and published several choral and instrumental works.
by Abi Braceros | Oct 15, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2024
Vocalist Nara Boone, a professional singer since the age of 14,–performed throughout the islands and in Los Angeles. She was hired as a lead vocalist and original cast member of Maui Theatre’s award-winning show, ‘Ulalena, showcasing the myths, legends and history of Hawai’i’s people. Well known for her vocal prowess she has also performed with Crazy Fingers and Marty Dread. The third oldest of nine kids, she attended Haiku Elementary School where she learned to read music and performed in her first talent show, thus setting the stage for her professional singing career. Boone has sung backup/lead on more than 25 albums to date.
by Abi Braceros | Oct 11, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2024
Stan Kessler is a trumpet/flugelhorn player, band leader, clinician, and educator who has been a fixture in the Kansas City jazz scene for the last 33 years. He was voted best trumpet player and leader of the best jazz band (Sons of Brasil) in Kansas City by the Pitch Weekly Music readers’ poll, received many other awards, and is in the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. His expertise includes jazz, R&B, funk, and all latin genres, especially brasilian and afro-cuban. Kessler also plays drums and hand percussion and does extensive writing and arranging for small groups. He maintains an adjunct position at Missouri Western State College in jazz trumpet, theory and improvisation, and music business classes. Stan has appeared in concert with Clark Terry, Paquito D’Rivera, Ernie Watts, Gary Foster, Karrin Allyson, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Watson, John Clayton, Kim Park, and many others.
by Abi Braceros | Oct 1, 2024 | Artists, Artists 2024
Loren Tilley
Michael Guzalak
Guitarist Loren Tilley and Michael Guzalak on clarinet and saxophone often perform together in the band “Swing Star” playing Gypsy jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club of France. This musical style includes swinging jazz, waltz, passionate ballads, Bossa Nova as well as the sound of European gypsies. Multi-instrumentalists, they have played in many different bands and styles of music, from accordion to zydeco.
