Artists

The Meritxell Project

Meritxell (pronounced Mah-dah-chel) is the lead voice and co-leader of the Meritxell Project, one the most original new sounds emerging in the "world fusion" music scene today. Originally from Barcelona, Meritxell and co-leader Gary Grainger blend a groove of Mediterranean vocals with passionate Latin soul fusion. Co leader Gary Grainger is an internationally recognized jazz-fusion electric bass artist who has toured and recorded with everyone from jazz guitar legend John Scofield to R&B star "Maysa." The Meritxell Project has donated their new recording "Bello Futuro" to the fundraising multi artist CD "See With Your Heart" available here, also see meritxellmusic.com

Armand Ntep

Armand Ntep, "le bantu Africain" is a vital and original world music singer and composer from Cameroon. His compositions run the gamut from salsa to hip-hop to traditional "lihongo" from his native Cameroon. Armand spent years in Paris developing his unique world fusion sound, before moving to Washington DC and recording with Sustained Note Records. Armand has dedicated his most recent recorded track "Bon Bes" (For the Children) to the fundraising multi artist CD "See With Your Heart."

Al Williams

Multi-reed player, Al Williams began his career recording five albums with world-renown Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria, including "Dawn", a Grammy Award winner for Best Latin album. Known for his graceful and melodic style on tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, "JAZZTIMES" has described his saxophone solos as "poetic beauty" Al was a member of master bassist Stanley Clarke's groundbreaking School Days Band and has played with legends including, Billy Cobham, Dave Sancious, Steve Gadd, and George Duke. Al has won Washington DC Area Music awards in 1997 and 1993 as Best Contemporary Jazz Instrumentalist. Al donated his recording, Sweet Lil' Chillin to the fundraising CD "See With Your Heart" available here and the night of concert.

KiKo and New Bossa

Kiko is a new generation Bossa singer-songwriter from Sao Paulo, Brazil. He collaborates with Leonardo Lucini, originally from Rio de Janeiro, a world caliber composer, arranger, and bassist, which together formed the New Bossa band. Leo's experience includes work with artists; Paulo Moura, the "Orchestra de Musica Brasileria," Nestor Torres, Young & Rollins, the Howard University Jazz ensemble, and is co leader of the Brasil-world group Origem.

Jane L. Powell, and the What About Band.

Jane L. Powell is one of America's Soul-R&B performer legends. In reference to her opening for Ray Charles, the Washington Post has said, "She stole the night from a legend." Jane brings the rich traditions of American blues and jazz into the listener's experience of popular music styles. She has worked and opened with acclaimed artists including; Lou Rawls, the Crusaders, Joan Jett, Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, Koko Taylor, and Ray Charles.

Marianna Elise

Marianna is an exciting new voice emerging on the contemporary music and jazz scene in San Francisco today. She brings a fresh synthesis of classical European vocal rigor with a passion for the American jazz improvisational tradition. Marianna's young career spans a unique range of experience from Opera and Musical Plays to her own new "collaboration" jazz group based in San Francisco.

Carl Malcolm and the Positive Vibration Band

Carl Malcolm is a solid hit craftsman from the Jamaican Reggae scene with a history of major reggae hits in the USA, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. He has appeared with Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Third World Dennis Brown, Maxi Priest, to name only some. Carl formed the Positive Vibration Band in the early 80's and currently tours and records with this band that includes family.

The Alexandria Kleztet

The Alexandria Kleztet, based in Baltimore MD, creates a wonderfully original sound by blending klezmer folk music with contemporary music genres. Since formation in 1998, their unusual instrumentation and original approach has been delighting audiences in the Washington-Baltimore and mid-Atlantic region. Their most recent CD release, "Delusions of Klezmer" won the 2002 "Wammie" award for Best World Music.

Afro-Bop Alliance

The Afro-bop Alliance is one of the most exciting new bands in Latin Jazz today. The septet is based in Annapolis Maryland and has appeared at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian Jazz Café, The W. C. Handy Jazz Festival and many other music and cultural festivals. The bands new CD release "Fase Nueva" features Grammy award winning conguero Pancho Sanchez and Grammy winning vibraphonist, Dave Samuels.

What About Band

The "What About Band" is a Washington DC based world fusion music group of musicians originally organized as a studio band by producer, songwriter, drummer and non profit director, Arch Cromer for the "See with Your Heart" project. The theme of this collaboration band, is an organic mix of world rhythms with new American and latin soul fusion. Lead singers Meritxell and Gary Grainger are featured, along with Grainger on bass, Derek Wille and Eli Staples, keyboards, Wes Crawford, Ekendra Das, Alfredo Mojica and Monty Montgomery on world percussion, Arch Cromer on drums, and featuring multi reed artist Al Williams, along with Dan Leonard on Guitar. Cromer's composition "What about the Children" recorded on the "See with Your Heart" CD is being dedicated to "Covenant House New Orleans" and will be a feature of the concert performance.

Susan McNellis

Susan McNellis, or "Oh Susanna" as children and parents know her is a long time favorite at Washington DC area festivals. She received the i-Parenting Media award for her CD "Sing-Song," Music for children and Families in 2004. She also received the "Just Plain Folks International Songwriting" second award for her children's song, "The Cats Go Marching" in 2003. Susan is a regular performer at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Theater in Washington, DC.