CAROL HATCHETT VOCALS
Carol is an Actress, Singer/Songwriter, Dancer, and Choreographer currently residing in Los Angeles since moving west from her native Chicago, Illinois.
Carol is one of the infamous "Harlettes", Bette Midler's backup Singer/Dancers, recently completing a tour across the U.S.and in Europe.
She appeared in Bette's Emmy Award winning "Diva Las Vegas" HBO Special and "The Showgirl Must Go On" HBO Special.Carol has appeared in the films Ali, Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde: Red, White and Blonde and has also worked with theatrical directors George C.Wolfe, Debbie Allen and Cheryl Baxter.She was nominated as "Featured Actress in a Musical" by the L.A.Stage Alliance Ovation Awards for Sophisticated Ladies in 2007.Carol has worked with many contemporary recording artists such as Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Dave Stewart, Beyonce, and Nick Waterhouse.She’s recorded with composer/bassist Stanley Clarke, choreographed for recording artist Shelia E.and Snoop Dogg, and worked with choreographers Toni Basil and Fatima Robinson.Carol is also the founder and lead singer of the EDM group The BareRoot who have currently released their third EP of original dance music entitled "Live Wire”. Carol has a new EP called “Born to Love.” It’s the follow-up to “Dance Under the Lights.”
RAFFIA FORD VOCALS
Raffia is a New York born-Los Angeles based professional singer, songwriter, and music instructor. Raised a short distance from New York City in the suburbs of Long Island,
Raffia graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, in Boston Massachusetts, with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education/Voice Principal.
Raffia has performed with, or provided background vocals for numerous artists including Aretha Franklin, Ledisi, Anita Baker, Gloria Estefan, Patrice Rushen, Melissa Etheridge, and Donnie McClurkin.and Jennifer Holiday, who played the original "Effie" from Dreamgirls at Marthas Vineyard. I
The success continued, Raffia begun work with Tito Jackson, receiving additional television exposure while singing lead/background vocals from the Jackson 5s greatest hits. The television program was entitled The Jacksons- A Family Dynasty on A&E .
Raffia explains her sound this way; "Music is a powerful tool that was created to show expression. In my music I strive to express positive and meaningful life experiences that we all can relate to, regardless of age. Music is about touching people, and giving a sense of substance, hopefully sending a message that can be taken and applied to everyday life."
CARLYLE BARRITEAU GUITAR / VOCALS
Carlyle Barriteau's exquisite guitar playing and singing, combined with his super cool blend of Jazz, R&B, Soul, Pop, Funk, and Carribean-influenced stylings, all come together to create a true tour-de-force in contemporary music. His credits range from Donny Osmond to Ben E King; Rose Royce to Patti Austin, Taylor Dane ,and the legendary Bobby Caldwell, who Carlyle continues to tour with currently.
In 2000 Carlyle released his first album, "Native Sun" to critical acclaim which included the hit "Wildflower" written by David Foster; He released his 2nd album in 2009,"Groovin At Sunset," showcasing his soulful/pop vocals on "Even Now" penned by Bobby Caldwell. and his straight-ahead no nonsense guitar stylings on such songs as "From Me To You", "My Flava", and the island-filled "Cruisin", and "Irie Strut".
LAND RICHARDS DRUMS
Growing up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama during the 1960s gave drummer Land Richards the opportunity to witness the birth of the soul music movement. He was born into a musical family—his father being co-writer of the famous hit “When A Man Loves A Woman”—and started performing on drums at age seven, moving on to the local club circuit by age twelve.
Land has played with an extensive list of artists including Gerald Albright, Namie Amuro, Ashford and Simpson, Atsushi/Exile, Patty Austin, George Benson, Angela Bofil, Michael Bolton, Peabo Bryson, Bobby Caldwell, Cab Calloway, Larry Carlton, Randy Crawford, Natalie Cole, Will Downing, Earth Wind and Fire, Kevon Edmonds, Emotions, Johnny Gill, Dave and Don Grusin, Jennifer Holiday, Bruce Hornsby, Englebert Humperdinck, James Ingram, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan,Gladys Knight and the Pips, Triny Lopez, Jeff Lorber, Stevie Nicks, Jeffrey Osborne, Lee Ritenour, Diana Ross, Jessica Simpson, Temptations, Stanley Turrentine, Dionne Warwick, and Denise Williams and Stevie Wonder.
Over his long career in the music industry, Richards has performed with some of the best-known acts in the world . In his own words, “Everyday I strive to grow more in both music and technology, because they have become one in today’s music industry.”
HANS ZERMUEHLEN PIANO
It’s always a thrill to see a musician that takes music to a new level. Hans Zermuehlen is one of these artists. This impressive 6 ft. 4 German keys player really rocks the house with his mastery and he never ceases to amaze me.
As a child ,his great grandmother had a piano. It was purchased for her by her daughter, Hans’ grandmother, a maid who lived in Chicago and saved all of her money, $419.00 to be exact to buy an upright piano for her mother. This is where the story begins.
Hans toured the world with Air Supply from 1993 to 1995.
Hans got a career change with Frank Gamble of Chick Corea and that’s when he moved to the smooth jazz genre.
Hans has played with just about everyone in smooth jazz :
Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Steve Oliver, Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Brian Simpson, Blake Aaron, Slim Man, Michael Lington, and Will Donato.
Hans is loved by everyone in the entire world.