"Swingville!" Musical Contributors


Question: What do Dave Frishberg, the band Kansas, Tom Jones, Bobby McFerrin, Leiber & Stoller, Mark Murphy, Janis Seigel, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman, Veronica, Swift, 50 Cent, Sheryl Crow, Bing Crosby, Milton Berle, Richie Blackmore, Smokey Robinson, The Who, Les Paul, Brian Wilson, The King Family, The Bobs, Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Walsh, Marvin Hamlisch, Jerry Lewis, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen all have in common?? Answer: They have all worked with the singers and musicians that recently performed on Dana Countryman's album, "Swingville!" Here's a quick rundown of these musicians, and their credits: Michael Andrew: Michael sings lead on three of the songs on the new album, and he also arranged the first track, as well. He's well-known in the Orlando music scene, and he's appeared as a soloist with many symphony orchestras around the USA, among his many credits. Michael has appeared in films, and has scored television soundtracks. He's also worked with Jerry Lewis, Rupert Holmes and Marvin Hamlisch. Chris Weeks is one of the UK’s finest Jazz singers, as well as an actor, musician, session musician and producer. He has appeared on the British stage many times, including starring roles in The Buddy Holly Story. He has performed at The Cavern Club as part of the legendary UK band The Big Three. Lincoln Briney has sung on hundreds of commercials, as well as on his own solo albums. He has recorded with Bobby McFerrin, Janis Siegal, and Mark Murphy, among others. He has performed on stage as a solo act, as well as in groups. He has performed alongside of such well-known artists, such as Tom Jones and legendary songwriters Leiber and Stoller. In addition, Linc is a well-known historian of vocal groups and vocalists, and is currently working on a film documentary, on that subject. Joe Deninzon plays multiple violins on Dana's new album, and he is a current member of the band, Kansas. Deninzon has performed and/or recorded with the Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50 Cent, Sheryl Crow, Ritchie Blackmore, Joe Walsh, Smokey Robinson, Les Paul, Peter Criss from KISS, and as a soloist with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the New York City Ballet. Joe is also the lead singer and violinist for the progressive rock band, Stratospheerius. Angie Doctor is a former member of a capella vocal group The Bobs, and is a current member of San Francisco's award-winning vocal group, Clockwork. In addition to singing on Dana's new album, she has sung on hundreds of commercials and jingles. Angie has performed with members of The Manhattan Transfer and Bobby McFerrin, as well as having two solo albums. She has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, as well as the Philharmonie Berlin. Nick Moore not only plays jazz piano on Dana's new album, but he has also appeared with such diverse artists as Diane Schuur, Roger Whitaker, Joe Walsh, Michael Tomlinson and in the pit for touring casts of Broadway shows such as “City of Angels” and “Grease” (with Rosie O’Donnell). He was a member of the vocal group Groove for Thought, and has appeared on NBC-TV with them. He has also worked on film scores including the Elmer Bernstein score for “Keeping the Faith” and Disney’s “Brave Little Toaster” animated feature. Rebecca Kilgore is a well-known jazz vocalist, specializing in the music of the Great American Songbook. She regularly performs worldwide at jazz festivals, and on jazz cruises. She has been a frequent guest on NPR’s ‘Fresh Air’ with Terry Gross, and has appeared on ‘A Prairie Home Companion’. She has also appeared with Michael Feinstein at Carnegie Hall. Besides having sung on over 40 albums, she has performed with jazz luminaries John Pizzarelli, Veronica Swift, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman,and Dave Frishberg, among many others. Dick Titterington has worked with some of the greats in the jazz world such as: LeRoy Vinnegar, Lonnie Smith, Ira Sullivan, and Bobby Shew. In addition to playing trumpet on Dana's album, he has played and collaborated with jazz musicians such as Dave Frishberg, Alan Jones, Randy Porter, Scott Steed, Rebecca Kilgore, Bobby Torres, George Mitchell, Geoff Lee, Mel Brown, Steve Christofferson, Tom Wakeling, Phil Baker, William Thomas, and David Valdez. Thomas Harris is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator based in the Pacific Northwest. Born and raised in Bellingham, Washington, he has studied with saxophonists Mark Kelly and Mike Allen, and bassist Chuck Israels. He has performed for several years onboard cruise ships, visiting all seven continents and over 80 countries. In addition to performing with a wide variety of artists and bands on the saxophone, clarinet, and flute, Thomas is also an accomplished vocalist and has performed his original swing arrangements on Crystal Cruises and the Cunard Queens. Stuie French is a guitar player whose prodigious skills have led him to high-profile sideman gigs with some of Australia’s top touring artists. He's also received recognition from his own heroes including Tommy Emmanuel, who asked Stuie to serve as a tutor at the Tommy Emmanuel Guitar Camp Australia. Les Paul invited Stuie on stage to play with him in New York City. He also toured and jammed with his idol Merle Haggard on the latter’s Australian tour as a member of the opening band. Tricia Countryman has appeared on the theatrical stage many times, as well as on her own solo albums. She was a member of the vocal group The Amazing Pink Things, which is where she met her husband, Dana Countryman! The couple have been married for 32 years, and they have a musician son, Matt. Tricia has starred in her own one-woman stage show, as well as having written two plays for the theatre. She was an integral part of Dana's new album, singing solo as well as many harmony vocals. Cam Clarke is an American voice actor, known for his work in animation, video games and commercials. Among his notable roles are Leonardo and Rocksteady from the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series, and Liquid Snake in the Metal Gear series. He often serves as a voice double for Matthew Broderick, and served as Broderick's singing voice of Simba in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. In his youth, he appeared on television as part of ABC-TV's The King Family, where he rubbed shoulders with people like Bing Crosby and Milton Berle. His mother, Alyce King was one of The King Sisters, and his father, Bob Clarke was an actor and film director. Cam also sings, and is featured on the only Christmas song on Dana's album. Scott Bennett co-wrote one of the songs for Dana's new album, and he is a multi-talented musician and producer. Scott is a Grammy Award winner, as well as an Emmy and Golden Globe nominee. Besides performing with and writing songs with Brian Wilson, he's been a session singer, player, writer, and producer on award winning spots for McDonalds, Disney, Bud, Miller, Subway, 7-Up, Gatorade, P&G, Johnson & Johnson, Noxema, Kraft, Pontiac, Ford, etc. He has placed dozens of songs on TV shows, including a song that became JT and Colleen's theme song on The Young and the Restless. He has sung and played alongside of the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Elton John, to name but two. Ken Morrison not only co-wrote several songs on Dana's new album, but has won 41 Emmy awards. In 1995, he produced an award-winning documentary on The Beatles and their producer, George Martin. As a songwriter, his music can also be heard in the blockbuster movies such as “Toy Story 4” (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen), Passengers (starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt), The Bounty Hunter (Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler), among many others. He has had multiple songs in the Jerry Seinfeld show “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee” including the Barack Obama episode. Ken has appeared in the movies Bustin' Loose (1981) and Life or Something Like It (2002). Frank M. Young co-wrote several songs on Dana's album, and he's also an award-winning book author. With collaborator David Lasky, Young has co-created two graphic novels: Oregon Trail: The Road To Destiny, and The Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song.The latter won the prestigious Eisner Award in 2014. Young is also a designer, cartoonist,songwriter, musician and improv comedian. He is considered a leading scholar of comics history, and is hailed as an expert on the works of artist/writer John Stanley (of LITTLE LULU fame). Young also moderates his own popular music blog, documenting little-known 45 records.

,bhk

Question: What do Dave Frishberg, the band Kansas, Tom Jones, Bobby McFerrin, Leiber & Stoller, Mark Murphy, Janis Seigel, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman, Veronica, Swift, 50 Cent, Sheryl Crow, Bing Crosby, Milton Berle, Richie Blackmore, Smokey Robinson, The Who, Les Paul, Brian Wilson, The King Family, The Bobs, Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Walsh, Marvin Hamlisch, Jerry Lewis, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen all have in common??

Answer: They have all worked with the singers and musicians that recently performed on Dana Countryman's album, "Swingville!"

Here's a quick rundown of these musicians, and their credits:

Michael Andrew: Michael sings lead on three of the songs on the new album, and he also arranged the first track, as well. He's well-known in the Orlando music scene, and he's appeared as a soloist with many symphony orchestras around the USA, among his many credits. Michael has appeared in films, and has scored television soundtracks. He's also worked with Jerry Lewis, Rupert Holmes and Marvin Hamlisch.

Chris Weeks is one of the UK’s finest Jazz singers, as well as an actor, musician, session musician and producer. He has appeared on the British stage many times, including starring roles in The Buddy Holly Story. He has performed at The Cavern Club as part of the legendary UK band The Big Three.

Lincoln Briney has sung on hundreds of commercials, as well as on his own solo albums. He has recorded with Bobby McFerrin, Janis Siegal, and Mark Murphy, among others. He has performed on stage as a solo act, as well as in groups. He has performed alongside of such well-known artists, such as Tom Jones and legendary songwriters Leiber and Stoller. In addition, Linc is a well-known historian of vocal groups and vocalists, and is currently working on a film documentary, on that subject.

Joe Deninzon plays multiple violins on Dana's new album, and he is a current member of the band, Kansas. Deninzon has performed and/or recorded with the Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50 Cent, Sheryl Crow, Ritchie Blackmore, Joe Walsh, Smokey Robinson, Les Paul, Peter Criss from KISS, and as a soloist with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the New York City Ballet. Joe is also the lead singer and violinist for the progressive rock band, Stratospheerius.

Angie Doctor is a former member of a capella vocal group The Bobs, and is a current member of San Francisco's award-winning vocal group, Clockwork. In addition to singing on Dana's new album, she has sung on hundreds of commercials and jingles. Angie has performed with members of The Manhattan Transfer and Bobby McFerrin, as well as having two solo albums. She has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, as well as the Philharmonie Berlin.

Nick Moore not only plays jazz piano on Dana's new album, but he has also appeared with such diverse artists as Diane Schuur, Roger Whitaker, Joe Walsh, Michael Tomlinson and in the pit for touring casts of Broadway shows such as “City of Angels” and “Grease” (with Rosie O’Donnell). He was a member of the vocal group Groove for Thought, and has appeared on NBC-TV with them. He has also worked on film scores including the Elmer Bernstein score for “Keeping the Faith” and Disney’s “Brave Little Toaster” animated feature.

Rebecca Kilgore is a well-known jazz vocalist, specializing in the music of the Great American Songbook. She regularly performs worldwide at jazz festivals, and on jazz cruises. She has been a frequent guest on NPR’s ‘Fresh Air’ with Terry Gross, and has appeared on ‘A Prairie Home Companion’. She has also appeared with Michael Feinstein at Carnegie Hall. Besides having sung on over 40 albums, she has performed with jazz luminaries John Pizzarelli, Veronica Swift, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman,and Dave Frishberg, among many others.

Dick Titterington has worked with some of the greats in the jazz world such as: LeRoy Vinnegar, Lonnie Smith, Ira Sullivan, and Bobby Shew. In addition to playing trumpet on Dana's album, he has played and collaborated with jazz musicians such as Dave Frishberg, Alan Jones, Randy Porter, Scott Steed, Rebecca Kilgore, Bobby Torres, George Mitchell, Geoff Lee, Mel Brown, Steve Christofferson, Tom Wakeling, Phil Baker, William Thomas, and David Valdez.

Thomas Harris is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator based in the Pacific Northwest. Born and raised in Bellingham, Washington, he has studied with saxophonists Mark Kelly and Mike Allen, and bassist Chuck Israels. He has performed for several years onboard cruise ships, visiting all seven continents and over 80 countries. In addition to performing with a wide variety of artists and bands on the saxophone, clarinet, and flute, Thomas is also an accomplished vocalist and has performed his original swing arrangements on Crystal Cruises and the Cunard Queens.

Stuie French is a guitar player whose prodigious skills have led him to high-profile sideman gigs with some of Australia’s top touring artists. He's also received recognition from his own heroes including Tommy Emmanuel, who asked Stuie to serve as a tutor at the Tommy Emmanuel Guitar Camp Australia. Les Paul invited Stuie on stage to play with him in New York City. He also toured and jammed with his idol Merle Haggard on the latter’s Australian tour as a member of the opening band.

Tricia Countryman has appeared on the theatrical stage many times, as well as on her own solo albums. She was a member of the vocal group The Amazing Pink Things, which is where she met her husband, Dana Countryman! The couple have been married for 32 years, and they have a musician son, Matt. Tricia has starred in her own one-woman stage show, as well as having written two plays for the theatre. She was an integral part of Dana's new album, singing solo as well as many harmony vocals.

Cam Clarke is an American voice actor, known for his work in animation, video games and commercials. Among his notable roles are Leonardo and Rocksteady from the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series, and Liquid Snake in the Metal Gear series. He often serves as a voice double for Matthew Broderick, and served as Broderick's singing voice of Simba in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. In his youth, he appeared on television as part of ABC-TV's The King Family, where he rubbed shoulders with people like Bing Crosby and Milton Berle. His mother, Alyce King was one of The King Sisters, and his father, Bob Clarke was an actor and film director. Cam also sings, and is featured on the only Christmas song on Dana's album.

Scott Bennett co-wrote one of the songs for Dana's new album, and he is a multi-talented musician and producer. Scott is a Grammy Award winner, as well as an Emmy and Golden Globe nominee. Besides performing with and writing songs with Brian Wilson, he's been a session singer, player, writer, and producer on award winning spots for McDonalds, Disney, Bud, Miller, Subway, 7-Up, Gatorade, P&G, Johnson & Johnson, Noxema, Kraft, Pontiac, Ford, etc. He has placed dozens of songs on TV shows, including a song that became JT and Colleen's theme song on The Young and the Restless. He has sung and played alongside of the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Elton John, to name but two.

Ken Morrison not only co-wrote several songs on Dana's new album, but has won 41 Emmy awards. In 1995, he produced an award-winning documentary on The Beatles and their producer, George Martin. As a songwriter, his music can also be heard in the blockbuster movies such as “Toy Story 4” (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen), Passengers (starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt), The Bounty Hunter (Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler), among many others. He has had multiple songs in the Jerry Seinfeld show “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee” including the Barack Obama episode. Ken has appeared in the movies Bustin' Loose (1981) and Life or Something Like It (2002).

Frank M. Young co-wrote several songs on Dana's album, and he's also an award-winning book author. With collaborator David Lasky, Young has co-created two graphic novels: Oregon Trail: The Road To Destiny, and The Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song.The latter won the prestigious Eisner Award in 2014. Young is also a designer, cartoonist,songwriter, musician and improv comedian. He is considered a leading scholar of comics history, and is hailed as an expert on the works of artist/writer John Stanley (of LITTLE LULU fame). Young also moderates his own popular music blog, documenting little-known 45 records.