Pete Caldera sings standards, mainly at New York’s Carnegie Club. He performs there monthly and is the primary sub for the long-running ‘Sinatra Saturday’ show with the 11-piece Stan Rubin Orchestra.
Away from the stage, Pete writes for the Bergen Record and the USA Today network, covering the Yankees. He is a past chairman of the New York Chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Bassist John Lang offers a distinguished resume in performance, arranging and composition. Lang is most recognized in New York as a straight-ahead bassist. He hosted the Burgundy Wine Jazz Duets Series for 8 years in the early 2000s, featuring such modern-days stars as Saul Rubin, Ehud Asherie, Kris Kaiser, Yotam Silberstein, Jeremy Manasia, Nat Harris, Vito Dieterle, Larry Ham, Tardo Hammer, Michael Moore and Randy Napolean. Lang’s quintet has performed at Smalls, The Jazz Forum, Fat Cat, Little Branch, Times Square Café, The Hawaiian Tropic Room and Toons.
Lang founded La Onda Va Bien, the Latin jazz ensemble that recorded 2003’s “La Vuelta,” featuring 10 of his original songs. His second CD, “Lend Me Your Ears,” premiered at Smalls in 2009 and was called “a rare collection of swing and modernity” by reviewer Scott Yanow. Lang is a member of the Kolotov Mocktails, a modern jazz band comprised of stellar jazz musicians from across the United States. The band’s 2020 debut recording “Ivy Hall,” is enjoying radio play and positive reviews from fans and critics alike. He released “Now Ear This,” his first electric project, to rave reviews in 2021. “NET” features 9 original songs as well as fresh arrangements of “Pusherman” and “Four on Six” and was produced by jazz legend John Patitucci. Modern drumming powerhouse Richie Morales noted the album’s “clear arrangements, great solos and tight ensemble work. Take a listen!” Lang is currently a member of the Kolotov Mocktails, a new American jazz band. Their debut recording, “Ivy Hall” is enjoying radio play and critical acclaim in America and Europe.
Lang has recorded and arranged for many Broadway singers including Natalie Toro and Rita Harvey, as well as for the cast recordings of Fat Camp and the Adventures of Flat Stanley. His big band arrangements were featured in the 2006 production of “Little Jack Frost,” a recreation of a 1940s radio show, and he has toured internationally with the Jack Cassidy and Adrienne Hindmarsh trios.
Lang also doubles on electric bass and in that capacity has performed and recorded with Kinny Landrum and the Gumbo Roux, Cady Huffman, Mary Ann Renza, Rocksteady, Stolen Moments, and Sis Boom Bah.
He has served on the faculty of the Music Conservatory of Westchester since 2014, and maintains a healthy roster of private students. In the fall 2020 he began studies as SUNY Purchase for a master’s in jazz performance under bassist Doug Weiss. Lang resides in the Hudson River Valley, just north of New York City, with his wife Damaris and son Milo.
Born in Calabria, in Vibo Valentia and raised in Lombardia, in Monza, her performances have graced renowned stages like Jazz at Lincoln Center and Expo Dubai 2020 with the Italian National Jazz Orchestra. Simona participated in the Milan jazz festival JAZZMI and the Peperoncino Jazz Festival New York edition, as well as the Sicilia Jazz Festival in Palermo, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. She captivated listeners at esteemed venues in Italy, including the Blue Note Milano and the Auditorium Parco Della Musica in Rome. She even had the opportunity to perform at historical locations and museums such as Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Museo Del ‘900.
Taking her musical journey further, Simona was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 2022, which led her to the heart of jazz, New York City. There, she pursued her second Master’s degree in Jazz Performance at The City College of New York, immersing herself in the vibrant and diverse jazz scene of the city.
Simona’s dedication and artistry have been evident throughout her journey. In 2021, she qualified first at the vocal auditions for the National Jazz Orchestra of Italian Conservatories. The same year, she successfully earned her Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from the prestigious Milan Conservatory of Music Giuseppe Verdi, graduating cum laude with an honorable mention.
In terms of recognition and accolades, Simona’s talent has not gone unnoticed. In 2019, she received a special mention in the Jazz Soloists category of the National Arts Award, paying tribute to the iconic Italian singer-songwriter Pino Daniele. Additionally, she won the audience award at the “Chicco Bettinardi” national competition held at Piacenza Jazz Club in 2020.
In a career spanning over 4 decades, jazz/blues/gospel guitarist/composer Stew Cutler has established himself as a bandleader, composer and teacher. With 7 record releases to his credit as a bandleader and countless sessions
as a sideman, Cutler’s prolific career is a walk-through musical history.
Stew Cutler was born and raised in New York City and through his innate musical talents, found the guitar at an early age. The guitar and Cutler were destined to be together and at 19 years old, Cutler landed his first job with blues legend Z.Z. Hill. Over time, Cutler immersed himself in studying music and soon thereafter was working with instrumental avant-garde artists Bobby Previte and Eliot Sharp. Cutler moved to Woodstock, NY and worked with bassist Harvey Brooks along with many well-known artists that were emerging in that musical kaleidoscope.
Cutler has worked as a sideman with many musical greats including Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Fontella Bass (featured on Bass’ Grammy nominated album No Ways Tired), Earl King, Jimmy Castor and many more. Cutler has also worked with jazz greats David Sanborn, Bill Frisell, Lester Bowie, Charlie Hunter, Wayne Horvitz to name a few as well as artists as diverse as Meatloaf, Jeb Loy Nichols, David Fanshawe, Sweet Georgia Brown, and Jimmy Dale Gilmore among others.
Cutler’s first two releases, *“Trio Music”* on Fountainbleu records and *“Insignia” *on the Naim label, showcased the identifiable sound that Cutler developed by combining R&B, jazz, melody and noise. With his 3rd release, “So* “Many Streams”* (Fountainbleu), Cutler gets back to basics by digging into the blues and American roots. Cutler’s 4th release titled *”Trio Live” *features Cutler’s guitar prowess in an incredible live performance. His 5th release titled *”After Hours”*, finds Cutler paying tribute to his jazz and soul roots. His 2017 critically acclaimed release titled* “Every Sunday Night” *is a studio recording that captures Cutler’s working band that has a standing Sunday night residency at Arthur’s Tavern in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Cutler is supported by his working band organization including Bobby Harden vocals, Nick Semrad organ, Jullian Pollack organ, Chulo Gatewood bass, Bill McClellan drums and JT Bowen vocal.
In 2018 Cutler was invited to perform on the last European tour of Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem Gospel Singers. Cutler has been a band member since 2012. Gospel music fans came out to see this legendary performer who received critical acclaim along with a number of notable mentions of Stew’s soulful guitar stylings.
In 2019 Cutlers’ can be found on the soundtrack of Martin Scorsese’s latest film “The Irishman”. Cutler is performing the standard “How High The Moon”. Cutlers’ recognizable sound evokes a dreamlike mood which fits the scene perfectly and is one of the musical highlights in the film. Also in 2019 Cutler was cast as part of the soundtrack for the streaming Amazon TV series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. An American comedy/drama set in the late 1950’s portraying a New York housewife who finds she has a knack for comedy. You can hear Cutler’s playing on the soundtrack of season 2 and 3 and in the upcoming season 4 episode, Cutler will be on camera as well as the soundtrack, featured in the strip club house band, The Wolford Band.
On April 22, 2022 Cutler released his latest recording, “*The Blues From Another Angle*.” A critically acclaimed eclectic mix of originals and covers featuring legendary guitarist Mike Stern and master harmonica player, James Montgomery. This could be Cutlers’ finest recording to date. *The Blues From Another Angle* showcases a room full of top-notch musicians including drummer Bill McClellan, keyboardist Tom Wilson, bassists Booker King and Chulo Gatewood, saxophonist Steve Elson plus vocalists Bobby Harden and Mary Jean Cutler, Stew’s wife. Also showcasing their prowess on the album are guest artists Mike Stern blazing through a guitar solo on “Blews” and James Montgomery making the harmonic sing on “Say What You Mean.” Among the many highlights on *The Blues From Another Angle*, most of which were written or co-written by Cutler, are: the scorching “Night Shift Blues”, which also features Cutler on lead vocals; a fiery cover of Tyrone Davis’ mega-hit “Can I Change My Mind” featuring Bobby Harden on the microphone; the deliciously rhythmic “Get It While You Can” featuring Mary Jean Cutler on lead vocals; a soulful instrumental, “The Passing of RR Moore,” that pays tribute to the late comedian-actor-singer Rudy Ray Moore; and the jazzy album-closer “Shine or Rain.”
Tobias Gebb is a drummer, composer and educator based in New York City. Over the years he has shared the stage or recording studio with a wide variety of artists. From Blue Note jazz guitarist Peter Burnstein to Donald Fegan of Steely Dan. From the famed west coast jazz pianist Smith Dobson to the famed rocker Lenny Kravits. He has a BA in composition from Berklee College of Music, an MA from Manhattan School of Music and a dual MSE in general and special education from The Bank Street School. His album Free At Last was in the Top10 on American jazz radio charts and through his licensing business his group Trio West has been heard on shows such as Dexter, Madam Secretary, Key and Peele and others.
Tobias began studying the violin at age 6, switched to classical piano studies at 8 and finally switched to the drum set when he was 16. He began studying drums at the Drummers Collective in New York City with Ricky Sebastian, Mike Clark and Kim Plainfield. At Berklee College of Music he studied with Jon Hazilla and JohnRamsey, along with famed Boston drummer Gary Chaffee. Back in New York at Manhattan School of Music he studied with John Riley and Justin DiCioccio. Additionally, he occasionally meets for private lessons with great New York City-based drummers like Ben Perowsky and Ari Hoenig.
AMOS ROSE is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist based in New York City. He is a founding member of Mama Juke, a roots rock and country blues band. He also performs hot jazz and Brazilian music under his own name and as a sideman with numerous bands around the city.
Amos has performed in various renowned venues, such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note Jazz Festival, B.B. King’s Blues Club, the Iridium Jazz Club, the 92nd Street YMCA, the New York Public Library, the Smithsonian Museum, Rockwood Music Hall, Webster Hall, the Manderley Bar at the McKittrick Hotel, The Gansevoort Park Ave Rooftop, the St. Regis Hotel., and many more.
Amos Rose has had the pleasure of collaborating with Tatiana Eva-Marie, Cyrille Aimee, Sasha Masakowski, Keita Ogawa, Clarice Assad, Dominic Farinacci, Matt Munisteri, Sam Dillon, Bernard Purdie, Christine Cherry, Spiral Jetty Club, the Ben Kogan Band, Joanna Sternberg, Megg Farrell, and Adrian DiMatteo.
“I am music” was one of April’s first proclamations as a very young child and it holds true to this day. Since singing her first notes as a four-year-old, inspired by none other than the Disney Princess movies, her journey toward growing as a musician began. In fact, April has spent the majority of her life performing and competing in the arts.
NYC-based jazz vocalist with the curly red hair from Toledo, Ohio, April Varner is a name you won’t soon forget. She began taking voice lessons at the University of Toledo as a classical vocalist at age 8 and began studying piano from her grandmother at age 6. No stranger to the stage, April began displaying vocal, musical theatre, drama, and piano talents at the local, regional, national, and international levels at a young age. This includes being a guest vocalist at the Toledo Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert, a 2-time All-National Honors Ensemble member in Nashville, TN, and a National Finalist at the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Academy in Carmel, IN. By age 16, April had made her Carnegie Hall debut in Weill Hall following a first-place award by the American Protégé International Vocal Competition, and had traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland as part of a drama group to share the stage with world actors at the renowned Edinburgh Arts Fringe Festival.
April began her musical transition into jazz after discovering a deep passion for it following her freshman year at Indiana University. April soon after became the director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, ResoluSHion, within the Grammy-nominated show choir, The Singing Hoosiers. During her final semester at IU, April was the vocalist in the Du Vido Septet, a Brazilian Jazz Ensemble led by Brazilian composer, arranger and pianist, Guilherme Ribeiro. The group was chosen as one of three finalists within the famed Detroit Jazz Festival’s Collegiate Combo Competition. In the spring of 2020, April graduated with her undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies (Voice).
At the age of 27, April has immersed herself deeply into the jazz tradition and has performed/studied with a multitude of legendary artists and jazz luminaries such as Tierney Sutton, Russell Malone, Sachal Vasandani, Jane Monheit, Kurt Elling, Walter Smith III and others.
April has performed/will be performing at some of the most notable venues in the Northeast, such as Chris’s Jazz Cafe (Philadelphia), Blues Alley (Washington D.C), Con Alma (Pittsburgh), 54 Below (NYC), Birdland Jazz Club (NYC, sold out debut show), and Mezzrow Jazz Club (NYC, sold out debut show). She also recently made her International Debut, headlining the Longjumeau Jazz Festival (Longjumeau, France) in celebration of the great Ella Fitzgerald, along with two full shows at Sunset Sunside in Paris. In October, April will be an invited featured artist in the Jazz For All Ages Festival (Hilton Head, SC), alongside some of the most notable figures in jazz, such as Kurt Elling, Catherine Russell, John Pizzarelli and Emmet Cohen.
April graduated in May of 2022 with her Master’s degree in Jazz Voice Performance from the Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of 2-time Grammy© nominated vocalist and teacher Theo Bleckmann. Soon after, she released her first EP, entitled “Hummingbird”, featuring both original compositions and original vocaleses. It can be found on all streaming services.
She was awarded the 2023 Winner of the International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition and most recently received a 2024 Honorable Mention Award in the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Competition. She excitedly just released her debut full-length album, entitled “April by April Varner”, on Cellar Live Record Label. This genre-busting collection of all April-titled songs was produced by Grammy-Award winning drummer, producer and educator, Ulysses Owens Jr.
Eric Hoffman is a distinctive song stylist with an impressive vocal range. Whether employing an
intimate whisper or his full-voice baritone, he is a master of many styles, convincingly
interpreting genres from jazz to Broadway and everything in between. From Flint, Michigan,
and an Interlochen Arts Academy graduate, Hoffman comes from a musical family. At an early
age he began singing with his grandparents in their church choir. At age ten he took up the
Lowrey 88 Organ before moving on to the trombone. He was a featured singer with big bands
on various cruise lines, working with performers such as Jack Jones, The Spinners, Vic Damone,
and Steve Allen. After moving to New York, Hoffman became a trombonist and featured male
vocalist with Supersound, former Dizzy Gillespie drummer Charli Persip’s big band, appearing
on Persip’s recording Intrinsic Evolution. Eric is a protégé of the legendary Marilyn Maye, who
directed his New York cabaret debut, “A New Nightclub Act,” in 2017. He has performed in a
variety of contexts and ensembles with guitarist Ken Hatfield for the past decade, including
their 2023 duo release Stirrings Still. Eric’s previous albums include Introducing Eric Hoffman
with Oliver Von Essen and Get Together.@winniesjazzbar
