Praised for her "full, gleaming sound" (Chicago Tribune), Canadian soprano TRACY CANTIN "has it all agility, power and dazzling coloratura" (Chicago SunTimes), not to mention "vocal and physical allure, with interpretive intelligence and stage presence to boot" (Chicago Tribune). Quickly rising to the top of her field, Cantin is a recent graduate of the prestigious Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago where she appeared with the company in Elektra, Rigoletto, Parsifal, il Barbiere di Siviglia, and most recently – for the opera’s final two scenes – in the title role of Donizetti’s demanding Anna Bolena, in which she replaced ailing superstar soprano Sondra Radvanovsky. |
Combining major stints in both New York City and Chicago and numerous tours abroad, DAVE MILLER has cultivated a truly unique, exciting, and inviting approach to songwriting, jazz improvisation, and the guitar. After releasing three albums to wide acclaim with his experimental rock band, Algernon (Cuneiform Records), Miller has once again redefined his parameters for his latest album (Old Door Phantoms, ears&eyes Records), this time taking cues from early American folk music. |
Chicago bassist, composer, and arranger JOE POLICASTRO grew up in the fertile jazz, classical, and popular music scene of Cincinnati, OH. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz/Studio Music from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and his Master of Music in Jazz Studies from DePaul University in Chicago. After performing and recording extensively in Germany, he settled in Chicago where he quickly established himself an in-demand musical voice as both composer and performer. |
Chicagobased interdisciplinary artist MIKEL PATRICK AVERY has been active within the Chicago art scene since moving to the area in 2006. Established as a jazz drummer, he is commonly recognized for his orchestral and melodic style of drumming that often involves the use of unconventional "nonmusical" objects. Mikel is also a dedicated composer, photographer, producer and educator. In recent years, he has become an integral voice in Rob Mazurek's Moon Cycles, Joshua Abrams's Natural Information Society, The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and Theaster Gates’s Black Monks of Mississippi. |