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.

David Young - Bandleader/Trumpet

One of the most exciting emerging artists on the Chicago music scene, David Young’s sizzling trumpet and charismatic stage presence make him a musician to be reckoned with. David has cultivated his love of both Jazz and contemporary pop and dance music in performance with legendary artists such as Lauryn Hill, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts and Danilo Perez and touring around the world with ensembles like New Republic, Chicago Jazz Ensemble and BeBop Brass.

Roger Adler - Guitar

Roger Adler 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 soundtrack for many PBS documentaries and TV specials and he has appeared in and performed on the soundtrack for the movie Groundhog Day.

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.