Earl Klugh is an American smooth jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and composer. His sound is a blend of these jazz, pop and rhythm and blues influences, forming a potpourri of sweet contemporary music original to only him. Earl Klugh became a guitar instructor at the age of 15, and was eventually discovered by Yusef Lateef. His career rapidly progressed to... read full bio

Eddie Palmieri, known for his charismatic power and innovative drive, has a musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras. With a discography that includes 36 titles, Mr. Palmieri has been awarded nine Grammy Awards. Possessed by a desire to play drums, Palmieri joined his uncle's orchestra where he played timbales. Says... read full bio

Elizaveta (Elizaveta Igorevna Khripounova), whose father was a well-known Soviet diplomat in the times of the Cold War, was born in New York, where her parents were stationed at the United Nations, and grew up in Moscow, Russia, playing piano but refusing to learn how to figure-skate. She left home in her teens, to roam the world and follow her... read full bio

Pianist Ellis Marsalis chose to pursue a career as a modern jazz musician in New Orleans, a city where virtually all of the attention was directed toward more traditional and popular styles. As a founding member of the American Jazz Quintet, Ellis and equally visionary contemporaries including clarinetist Alvin Batiste, saxophonist Harold Battiste, and drummer Edward Blackwell charted new directions... read full bio

Actress and singer Emmy Rossum joined the Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus at age 7, made her film debut in the Appalachian music drama Songcatcher at age 14, and scored a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Christine in the movie Phantom of the Opera at just 17. Rossum's film credits include Mystic River (2003), The Day After Tomorrow (2004),... read full bio

Bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding began playing in small jazz and blues venues around Portland, Oregon. Since moving East, Ms. Spalding has regularly worked as a freelance bassist and singer, both locally and internationally. Ms. Spalding has worked with many notable Grammy-winning artists, such as guitarist Pat Metheny and singer Patti Austin. She has also performed as a member... read full bio