Ken Arlen

A sought-after orchestra leader and jazz saxophone soloist, Ken Arlen has been a featured entertainer for numerous celebrities and dignitaries, from the President of the United States to Hollywood stars. Ken is the founder of Arlen Music Consultants, Inc., a Chicago-based entertainment company that specializes in providing live customized music for the national special events industry. The Ken Arlen Orchestra was listed in Chicago Magazine as the “Top Choice” for a glamorous Chicago wedding.

Michael Avery

Michael Avery is one of the Windy City’s best-kept secrets. A professional front man and studio vocalist, he has performed at some of the most prestigious private parties and events in Chicago and abroad. His experience includes performances with the Chicago Catz, a European tour with Mavis Staples, lead vocalist of the legendary Staple Singers, as well as singing a duet at a recent gala in Jamaica with Gladys Knight. Mike also enjoys expressing himself as a songwriter, believing that music is a healing force that crosses all barriers. Mike recently released his latest CD, Destination Love. His first love, however, will always be live performance.

Leslie Hunt

Leslie Hunt is a musical phenomenon, an outstanding vocalist who has recently come into the national spotlight. Singing and playing piano by age four, the St. Charles, Illinois native had already performed leading roles in productions of "Fiddler on the Roof" and "The Music Man" by age 13. In 2007, Leslie was chosen out of over 100,000 competitors to compete on Season 6 of American Idol, becoming one of the top 10 female vocalists on the show. Leslie has performed with music legends like Kenny Rogers and The Ides of March and has appeared at Chicago hotspots including The Empty Bottle, Martyrs, Uncommon Ground, Gunther Murphy’s and Underground Wonderbar, in addition to inking a development deal with Sony. The Ken Arlen Orchestra is extremely pleased to add such a gifted and accomplished vocalist to our ranks.

Cristina Sanchez

Cristina Sanchez, a Ken Arlen Orchestra veteran (’01-’05), returns her trailblazing R&B sound to our vocal team. A Chicago-based recording artist and two-time winner of New York’s legendary “Night at the Apollo Theatre,” Cristina lights up the stage with her magical mix of Classic Soul, Latin, and R&B/Pop. With a performance style that rivals prominent artists such as Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, and Rihanna, Cristina has a soulful and rhythmic edge that mesmerizes audiences. Her debut single, “Free,” stayed on the Billboard R&B Singles and R&B Singles Sales Charts for seven weeks. Cristina was recently chosen to perform on R&B star R. Kelly’s world tour, has sung with Frayne and Bobby Lewis and Heather Headley, and toured as a solo artist in China as well as other European venues.

Nick Lynch

We are proud to welcome Nick Lynch to our powerhouse vocal team. Nick is a polished and versatile contemporary rock vocalist who can croon a Michael Bublé tune and belt AC/DC with ease. Nick has performed with Steve Augeri, former lead vocalist of the world-renowned band Journey. In Orlando, Nick crafted his vocal technique with Mark Goff, also known for his work with Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, and N'Sync. Nick has also been to Hollywood as part of the American Idol Experience and is currently working on a soon-to-be-released album.

Neil Artwick - Piano and Keyboards

Neil is a graduate of the American Conservatory of Music, where he studied both classical and jazz performance. He has become one of the most in-demand session keyboard players in the city and has recorded hundreds of TV and radio commercials. In the summer of 1998, Neil was specially chosen as one of the select musicians to perform and record the new opening theme of the Oprah Winfrey Show. He has also performed with such nationally known artists as Luther Vandross, Bebe and Cece Winans, Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight and Ed Thigpen.

Mark Beringer - Bass

A top session player from Chicago, Mark is a master of both acoustic and fretless bass. He has accompanied numerous jazz artists including Diahann Carroll, the Count Basie Orchestra, the BBC Big Band, the Artie Shaw Orchestra, Dave Liebman, Rosemary Clooney, the Cincinnati Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, Lena Horne, Carol Lawrence, Angela Bofill, Michael Brandmeier and Mark Madsen. He has also performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House with Vic Damone.

Phil Gratteau - Drums

One of Chicago’s finest jazz drummers, Phil has recorded and performed with Joe Henderson, Richie Cole, Bonnie Kolac, Marian McPartland, and Judy Roberts. Phil is on the faculty of Roosevelt University, has appeared at the Chicago and Montreal Jazz Festivals, and has toured Sweden, Switzerland and France.

Roger Adler - Guitar

Roger is the Music Director of the Emmy Award-winning television show Wild Chicago and the former Music Director for the TV series The Best of Comic Relief on the A&E Network. In addition to composing and performing the music for many other award-winning TV shows, he has been nominated for 3 Emmy Awards. Roger has created the soundtracks for many PBS documentaries and TV specials and he has appeared in and performed on the soundtrack for the movie Groundhog Day.

Mark Olen - Trumpet

Mark is a highly sought-after professional lead, classical, and jazz trumpeter. He has performed with many top entertainers including Tony Bennett, Al Jarreau, Michael Bolton, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, B.B. King, Bobby McFerrin, and David Foster. His versatility is demonstrated in performances with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, American Jazz Philharmonic, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Grant Park and Elgin Symphonies, Chicago Brass Quintet, and Brassworks Brass (founder). As a studio artist, his playing can be heard on hundreds of television and radio commercials. Broadway musical credits include: Spamalot, Les Misérables, Sweet Charity, Annie Get Your Gun, Guys and Dolls, Goodbye Girl, Hello Dolly, Crazy for You, and The Sound of Music.

Russ Phillips - Trombone

Russ started his jazz career at the age of 5, touring with the Louis Armstrong All Stars when his father, Russ Sr., replaced Jack Teagarden. He has performed concerts and festivals with the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Temptations, Doc Cheatham, Kenny Davern, Milt Hinton and others. Russ’ latest album, I’m Glad There Is You, is now available at CDBaby.com on the Big Foot Jazz label.

Rick Purro - Percussion

An East Coast native who began playing percussion in 1972, Rick has recorded with some of Boston’s top artists, including Patty Larkin. He moved to Chicago in 1998, recording on commercials for top corporations including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Dominos, Kellogg’s and many others. Rick has worked with members of the backing bands for John Mellencamp, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Billie Holiday, and Ben E. King, as well as Chicago acts Tirzah and The Primal Connection, Chicago’s multi-ethnic World rhythm percussion ensemble.

Sylvia Myintoo - Violin

Sylvia has been performing in the Chicago area for nearly fifteen years. After receiving a Masters in Music from the New England Conservatory in Boston where she studied with James Buswell, Sylvia moved to Chicago to perform with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Since then, she has appeared with artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Smokey Robinson, Barry White, Donna Summer, Celine Dion, Johnny Mathis, Lyle Lovett, Randy Newman, Dennis DeYoung, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Bernadette Peters, Josh Groban, The Irish Tenors, as well as the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra and Rockford Symphony. She has broadcast live on WFMT and WTTW Soundstage. Sylvia also maintains teaching studios at Near North Montessori School and Northeastern Illinois University.

Rebecca Richey - Violin

Rebecca holds degrees in Music Theory from the University of Illinois and the Eastman School of Music. An Oak Park native, Rebecca has a rich and varied musical background. She has played in numerous symphony orchestras, backed such popular artists as Bobby Vinton and The Moody Blues, performed in avant-garde chamber works, and toured the US and Europe with the company of Amsterdam choreographer Beppie Blankert. Recently, Rebecca has performed in premieres of works by contemporary composers Augusta Read Thomas and Louis Andriessen, and has sung with Bella Voce, a Chicago a capella choir.

Caroline Curtis - Violin

Caroline is a graduate from DePaul University. She is currently the Concertmaster of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra in Iowa and was featured as a guest soloist performing the Saint-Saen’s Violin Concerto No. 3. She is also a member of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra. She has played in the orchestras for the Joffrey Ballet Company, the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra and several different opera companies. Caroline has had the opportunity to perform with such celebrities and bands such as Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli (on the Oprah Winfrey Show), Charlotte Church (in Hawaii), Garth Brooks, Celine Dion and Josh Groban (nationally televised), Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin (Page-Plant Tour), The Moody Blues, Kansas, Electric Light Orchestra, The Temptations, Mannheim Steamroller, Diana Ross, The Three Irish Tenors, and others. She enjoys freelancing in the Chicagoland area and plays in various chamber and quartet ensembles as well.