Illinois
Stardust specializes in nostalgia by recreating the music of the 1920s through the 1950s. Their bright vocal blend, creative choreography and lively dialogue have delighted audiences throughout Chicago and across the nation. Their show is reminiscent of the golden age of radio and the exciting, elegant days of the silver screen. Inspired by the Andrews, Boswell and McGuire Sisters, Stardust presents a lively, entertaining show with dreamy harmonies as tight as they come.
Brad Conroy is a versatile guitarist who specializes in both classical and electric guitar styles. He is an accomplished performer on the classical guitar and has performed throughout the United States in recital, competitions, numerous masterclasses, and at festivals where he is also active as an evaluator, adjudicator, and clinician. Since 2009 Brad has been making a name for himself in the field of music journalism as a staff writer with Guitar International where he writes lessons, reviews, and interviews with some of today's leading guitarists. Brad is an advocate of new music and has premiered and had new works dedicated to him by a few up and coming composers. Brad finished his B.M. at Northeastern Illinois University (cum laude) with a degree in Classical Guitar Performance and studied with Dr. Brian Torosian. Brad furthered his music studies with a M.M. in Classical Guitar Performance at The Chicago College of Performing Arts, the music conservatory at Roosevelt University where he studied with world renowned guitarists Denis Azabagic and Sergio Assad. Brad Conroy is on Faculty at Metropolis School of Performing Arts, Arlington Heights, IL, and at the Music Institute of Chicago. Brad is very active within the Chicago music scene as a solo classical guitarist, jazz/rock/fusion guitarist, session player, composer, music journalist, and educator.
We are JD & Company, an original jazz band mixing elements of jazz, funk, latin and rock. The band is now available as a quartet with violin and keyboards in addition to the guitar-based backbone. We are available for corporate events, showcases, festivals, weddings, club dates and anywhere where ambiance is a most welcome addition to eating, drinking and being merry. Allow us to take you on a musical journey landing in a happy place for all who appreciate music of substance. One minute you'll hear a nice bossa nova. Then it might get funky. Now here comes a peppy little jazz waltz. The mix of musical styles and rhythms is the key to your listening pleasure. Just open your ears, sit back and enjoy the ride....
Description The 5 after 7 Project is a collaborative of diverse musicians residing in the Chicagoland area. The group performs thought provoking music from jazz to classical. The 5 after 7 Project was founded by Saalik Ziyad while he was attending Northern Illinois University. Most of the compositions performed are written by Saalik and can be arranged to fit the needs of different audiences and age groups. The band size can range from a duo to a decet. Artistic Vision The vision and mission of The 5 after 7 Project is to entertain and educate the world through music. Music is a universal language of peace, love and struggle for humanity in the world. Most of the compositions that we perform are steeped in the tradition of jazz, but we also look towards the future. the duty to perform music that brings about social change through peace and responsibility is a concept we embrace in our music. Marketing The 5 after 7 Project markets itself as an ensemble that plays different kinds of improvised jazz music from traditional swing to everything else. Presenting varying themed concerts is a part of our marketing approach. For example, we have performed concerts focusing on the music of the Bebop Masters, such as Lee Morgan, Thelonius Monk Charlie Parker and others, as a specific area of study. We also like to bring in special guests, including master performers that we respectfully call "our elder's" as a marketing component and for reaching audiences unfamiliar with our sound as a promotional aspect. Our audience is very diverse from age to race and have found using the internet and myspace, along with other social networking sites to be very effective for marketing our availability and announcing upcoming performances. We also list our performances with local newspaper, radio, and other media outlets. Past Performances of the 5 after 7 Project include: Velvet Lounge Kennedy King College The Green Dolphin Street Chicago Park District The Sabre Room Marie’s Restaurant The Loft Society Chicago Jazz Festival Jazz Showcase of Chicago Blue Note Jazz Club in Poznan, Poland The Redstone Room in Davenport, Iowa
"The BUZZ" plays all your favorite classic hits of the 70's and 80's, plus 90's Alternative and today's Rock favorites. Featuring male and female vocalists, as well as optional DJ service for the ultimate variety! "If we don't play it... we can still play it!" We have played at Stage 83, the Blue Iguana, Goose Island, Navy Pier Beer Garden, Pheasant Run Resort, and summer festivals in Romeoville, Deerfield and Lake Bluff. We will entertain requests for specific songs as long as they work with our vocals. "The BUZZ" is perfect for your theme party, class reunion, birthday, bachelorette or club!