Roster of Artists
For fees and/or to schedule performances with artists from this list, please contact Art-Reach at 215-568-2115.
To arrange for a performance, please contact Art-Reach one month in advance. Please be prepared to provide at least 3 possible dates for the performance and the approximate number of audience participants.
Music Artists
*click on the names below for full program descriptions
Nagual Spirits
Nana Korantemaa Ayeboafo
Nancy Shill
National Black Arts Spoken-Word Tour
Rene Goodwin and Ed Hagopian
Rhythms & Roots
The Sharif B. Abdullah Syndicate
*Artist names appearing in pink contain more information about the performer.
This singer and musician encourages his audience to sing, clap, yodel, grunt and do the Mummer’s strut . Andrew plays the banjo, mandolin, jaw harp, guitar and hammered dulcimer. He works as a solo, duo or trio and is well known for audience participation and fresh acoustic music. Great family entertainment. Availability all times.
Sound Samples:
Pocono Jubilee
Thank You
Members can enjoy musical performances featuring a variety of instruments, as well as learn how to integrate music into their own lives through lessons and workshops. Angel Baby Music presents the following program choices:
Single Instrument Lessons (Individual or Group) |
Learn the theory and fundamentals of performance, along with applied instruction in a single instrument (choice of voice, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums or percussion). |
| Music Residency Workshop | Learn cultural, historical and theoretical perspectives of music over four 45 minute class sessions. This service also includes applied music instruction, as well as discussions on how instruments interrelate to one another. Topics include, but are not limited to:
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| Performance Services (3 piece band) |
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| Performance Services Full band (4 piece band) |
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| Workshops | Learn to integrate music into daily life through a half day, full day, or weekly program. ABM’s workshop development series consists of training individuals, caregivers or staff on effective uses of music to support positive psychological, cognitive, behavioral and social functioning. Through the use of music as a form of expression, unique outcomes are possible for individuals within the therapeutic context. ABM uses music, as a form of therapy, to provide a variety of musical experiences in both intentional and developmentally appropriate ways with the intent of effecting change in behavior and facilitating development of communication, social/emotional, sensory-motor, and/or cognitive skills. Topics include but are not limited to:
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Anna Crusis Women's Choir
Anna Crusis Women's Choir is a women's a cappella choral ensemble committed to empowering and educating its audiences on social concerns through song. It performes a wide range of multi-cultural music, often in the original languages and its repertoire spans many traditions, from folk, popular music, traditional western choral works and others. The Choir can tailor its performance to the interests of the audience and can also lead sing-a-longs.
Astral Artists
provides outstanding and energetic classical music performances by young professional musicians of the highest calibre. These programs are 45 minutes in length and appropriate from kindergarten to retirement community!
Bear Creations
Native American music, drumming, dancing, and storytelling with an educational focus, including representatives from several different Native tribes. Number and cost of performers highly variable.
Music performances for children and adults. Children's performances consist of a videotape presentation, live performing on keyboards and audience participation, such as clapping, sing-a-long, etc. Performances for adult groups consist of recognizable songs, requests and sing-a-long. Mr. Jolly has been the choir director for Celine Dion, Grover Washington, Jr. and Michael Bolton, among others. He has participated on numerous television shows and specials as a performer and musical director.
Sound Samples:
Cruisin Through The Park
Get-Your-Jollys-Off
1970s Basement-Party
A program of musical storytelling, targeting 2-7 year olds and their families. It is the acoustic duo version of their highly acclaimed literacy-centric show, Reading Rocks. The Cat's Pajamas' varied repertoire is also enjoyed by seniors and compliments intergenerational programs at senior centers. Janet Schreiner, lead vocalist and director of The Cat's Pajamas, has extensive experience working with audiences of varying ages and led monthly sing-alongs with students from Germantown Friends School and their "grand friends" for 15 years. The Cat's Pajamas makes cool music for kids, bringing a musical comedy twist to high-octane kid-rock. With dance, puppets, props and costumes, The Cat's Pajamas not only captures the imagination of children but also thoroughly engages the adults. Reviewed as "...the most polished act in the Philly kids music scene" with 3 award-winning CDs and a live concert DVD, The Cat's Pajamas are featured on WXPN Kid's Corner and children's radio shows throughout the U.S. and Australia. Based in Philadelphia; the band tours throught the Mid-Atlantic and New England states regularly.
Daniel Poulos
Plays and sings a range of musical styles (spiritual hymns, ballads, older pop standards, jazz, holiday music, classical, etc.) and encourages audience participation, including sing-alongs, instrument/rhythm groups, etc.
If you are a fan of music from the 1950's, you may recognize Danny Colingo (pictured above in the top left corner) from the world renown quartet, "The Four Aces". After touring for decades and rendering such credits as performing on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and in Las Vegas with Frank Sinatra, Jr., Danny has returned to our neck of the woods for a solo career. He offers a wide range of music including jazz, rhythm and blues, and traditional Italian songs. He exudes warmth and charm and will surely please audiences of all ages with his powerfully rich voice.
Sound Samples:
Night and Day
Why Do Fools Fall In Love
Impossible Dream
Misty
Travel around the world in song with a world famous folksinger. Programs for children through seniors including instruments and songs from around the world, folk music, and lots of hands-on interaction. Daria (Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou), has traveled around the world performing, studying and collecting music in 14 countries including Peru, Egypt, Israel, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Panama, Honduras and the former Soviet Union. For several years, she performed with her rock band playing for the USO/DOD and won the honor of representing the United States at world's largest outdoor festival - World Expo 1992 in Seville, Spain. In concert, Daria shares a wonderful mixture of favorite songs from American and world folk music traditions. Instruments in her show include guitar, dulcimer, buffalo drums, washboard, spoons, limberjack, guiro, shekere, maracas, hand bells, doumbek, pueblo drum, afuche, rainstick, cajon, goat hoof rattles and much more. During the show she presents songs in a variety of languages; including English, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Zulu, Quechua Indian and Oneida (Iroquois).
Sound Samples:
La Bamba
For All the World's Children
We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands
Donald Kelvin
Singer and deejay; Performs three different one-hour shows that bring back yesterday's memories featuring the songs and nostalgia that audiences love and enjoy. Audience participation is encouraged.
Floyd Darden
An instrumentalist, vocalist, dramatist, puppeteer and drummer who performs a variety of programs with special emphasis on the healing power of the arts.
An accomplished artist, Frank partners with Art-Reach and brings performances of his "Frank Tenaglia Show", which includes clean comedy and operetta music, including Italian songs, Mario Lanza songs, and from time to time some of the great arias!
Hip Hope University-Ar’Marlon Barbour
Music activity leads participants to create positive, enjoyable music formats that can better serve their communities. Participants will learn the history and origin of rap, assess the socio-economic impact rap has, assess lyrical content, discuss fallen soldiers such as B.I.G., Tupac, and Jam Master Jay, examine the power of words as they relate to images and self fulfilling prophecy, and participate in a music lab where they create their own optimistic, empowering Hip-Hop music. The artist will lead participants working in small groups to create lyrical solutions to life issues. All musical equipment will be provided. Workshops designed for children and adults up to age 35 years old who have disabilities with high cognitive and physical functioning levels. Hip Hope University presents the following program choices:
| Workshop Description 1 | A 1-hour workshop for 30-50 participants including performances with audience participation, discussions, group exercises, culminating in a contest where audience members perform their own verses. |
| Workshop Description 2 | A 2-hour workshop for 30-50 participants including performances with audience participation, discussions, line dance or Coat of Arms activity, group exercises, culminating in a contest where audience members perform their own verses. |
Joanne & Kevin Joella
Songs and storytelling. All performances include a story, song and physical movement, plus interaction with audience. Appropriate for all audiences.
A stimulating rhythmic performance of traditional African drumming and dancing, Caribbean folk dances, and steel drums. Audience participation includes light dance, singing, and playing small percussive instruments. Founder, instructor and business manager of Kuumba Performers, she is motivated by her love for children. She is dedicated to preserving and introducing African history through rhythm and dance, to a new generation.
Mafalda feels."many people in America are not aware of the influences that Africa has on many cultures. It is my dream to bridge the cultural gap in educational and multicultural settings." She studied drum and dance in Senegal and Mali, West Africa with the National Ballet of Mali, and also danced in concert with world music artists Baba Maal and Massamba Diop.
Musicopia
Classical, jazz, crossover popular and multicultural programs for young and old alike. Artists include some of Philly's finest musicians - John Blake's Jazz, Minas' Brazilian Adventure, Doc Gibb's African Drum and Dance, the Barnett Strings with everything from classical to country fiddling and more. All programs totally interactive, tailored to the age level, pre-K through seniors.
Nagual Spirits
Marlon Simon
Introduction to Latin jazz and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Audience is encouraged to become involved. Ensemble size and performance can vary from solo drumming to Latin jazz sextet.
Nana Korantemaa Ayeboafo
A journey of African dance, rhythm and body percussion; a unique opportunity to express cultural diversity.
Nancy Shill
Fiddler, guitar player and singer, Nancy Shill plays songs and tunes from America’s past. She can play background, stroll, do concerts and lead sing-a-longs. She can also bring fiddle sticks, limberjack puppets and a banjo ukulele! Nancy can perform historical presentations in costume (solo or with her husband/partner). She can do: Colonial, Victorian, country & western, Americana, Irish, holiday shows and many more themes
National Black Arts Spoken-Word Tour
Maurice Henderson is the Executive Director of National Black Arts Spoken-Word Tour. As such he has many talented people working with him who offer a unique blend of entertainment and subject diversity. Below are som titles and short descriptions of the performances offers by this organization. Please see more performances offered by National Black Arts Spoken-Word Tour in the theater section of this website. National Black Arts Spoken-Word Tour presents the following program choices:
Ancient to Hip Hop |
Includes spoken word, hip hop, and rap music |
| To Be Young, Black and Gifted with Rap | A performance that echoes the genius of spoken word from the Balck Arts period through the Hip Hop generation. |
Nocturne Music, Inc.
Nocturne Music, Inc. partners with Art-Reach to make opera fun and easy to enjoy. Performers not only sing arias beautifully, but explain the meanings of the art-songs and offer interesting tid-bits about the composers. For instance, did you know that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed variations of the nursery rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, was a party animal, and liked playing billiards all night while he composed symphonies? Nocturne music combines musical entertainment with not so well-known fun facts that will make the classical composers and great works easy to identify with and fun to remember. Nocturne Music also offers performances of Broadway and Jazz musical selections.
Michael Borton is a local music director, composer, performer and accompanist. Holding degrees from Temple University, he has performed with the Walnut Street Theatre, Arden Theatre, Central City Opera, Opera Delaware, Opera Festival of New Jersey and Lancaster Opera and consistently accompanies varies regional theatres. He is currently the music director at Waldron Mercy Academy where he conducts 6 choirs and facilitates a music school for over 200 children, including an annual musical theatre production. In addition, Michael is the Music Director and Conductor for LaSalle University’s Masque theater group. He works with the Walnut Street Theatre Education Department and has music directed for their main stage children’s shows and their summer camp consistently over the past four years. Along with music directing, Michael was commissioned by the Walnut Street Theatre in 2007 to write the music for their annual A Christmas Carol. He is also writing a new musical for the 2009 children’s series entitled Berenstain Bears Family Matters commissioned by the Walnut Street Theater in conjunction with the Berenstain family, who authored the famous children’s book series The Berenstain Bears. Michael enjoys performing, directing, composing and writing and hold the belief that music is powerful and uplifting be it as an audience member or participant. Nocturne Music, Inc. presents the following program choices:
| Here We Come A Caroling | Ring in the holiday season with traditional carolers singing holiday music! Dressed in their best, a trio of carolers will visit your holiday celebration singing classic carols add holiday cheer. As requested the trio will lead a holiday sing-a-long at the end of the program. |
| Opera-tune-ity | Nocturne Music partners with Art-Reach to make opera fun and easy to enjoy. Performers not only sing arias beautifully, but explain the meanings of the art-songs and offer interesting tid-bits about the composers. For instance, did you know that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed variations of the nursery rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, was a party animal, and liked playing billiards all night while he composed symphonies? Nocturne music combines musical entertainment with not so well-known fun facts that will make the classical composers and great works easy to identify with and fun to remember. Nocturne Music also offers performances of Broadway and Jazz musical selections. |
| Musical Review | Nocturne Music brings you a musical review complete with Broadway and Jazz vocal selections. Be it the music of Wicked, Les Miserable, Harry Connick Jr. or Mel Torme; these programs can be tailored to focus on one or both art forms. Michael Borton, lead vocalist and owner of Nocturne Music, has performed for over 10 years. He works closely with Walnut Street Theatre and has written and composed the music for several of their shows including their annual rendition of The Christmas Carol. Michael's booming Bass voice delivers melodious tones from well-known Broadway musicals and jazz standards, and his knowledge of these selections also offers audiences a behind the scenes musical insight. Included among his favorite vocal selections are All the Things You Are, You'll Never Walk Alone and Over the Rainbow. Michael offers solo performances or a chance to meet the many professional friends he's met along the way; bringing a friend or two to join him in concert. |
Ralph Penn and Friends
Ralph Penn is a charming jazz performer with an equally suave jazz trio. Playing guitar, bass, piano and flute this group brings back the swing'n sounds of the good 'ole days from Duke Ellington to Glenn Miller. Combing cool jazz instrumentals with vocals this group is sure to put you in a swing'n good mood!
Rene and Ed will bring you entertainment that is enjoyable, fun-filled, musically memorable and appropriate to the audience and the occasion. Schooled in many styles, their programs run the gamut from standards to Broadway, Hollywood hits to ethnic favorites, pop to original songs. They establish a rapport with the audience that makes each performance something special, something intimate, something just for you.
Josh Robinson grew up around the music business and began playing pots, pans, and eventually drums in his basement at an early age in his hometown of Woodstock, NY. In 1989 he joined "Sankofa" Afro-Brazilian drum and dance ensemble where he was introduced to the instruments and rhythms of Latin, Brazilian, and Caribbean music. The rhythmic quest has taken him to countries such as Cuba and Brazil where he has studied with masters of percussion with a strong focus on conga drums. He founded "Rhythms & Roots" Latin Music ensemble in 2000 with wife Giovana, and both were selected to the Philadelphia Music Project's Latin Orchestra led by famed bandleader Johnny Pacheco. He performs in Philadelphia with "Alo Brasil," poets, DJ's, theatre & dance groups.
Josh attended the ATI (Artist Teacher Institute) through Arts Horizons at Rutgers University and has since been working with kids and adults as a teaching artist leading workshops, residencies, professional development, school assemblies, and after school programs where he has used percussion as a tool for teaching aspects of communication, teamwork, creativity, leadership, discipline, and cultural awareness through music and instrument making. He explains his love for sharing music, "I see the importance of planting positive and creative seeds in the minds of our youth, and I value the 'small successes' and the moments when a student's 'light blub' goes off. I see the need for exposing people to the power of learning through the arts. I believe it is also very valuable for kids to experience and work with someone who is passionate about what they do, someone who can have fun in a creative learning/teaching process, and someone who is a leading example by being what they wanted to be when they 'grew up.' "
Each Program length is 60 minutes.
25 students maimum for hands on workshops
(More students can be accomodated for demo/lecture based programs.) Rhythms & Roots presents the following program choices:
Latin Percussion |
A hands-on percussion workshop featuring the origins of Latin music, Latin percussion instruments, rhythms, musical dynamics, and sound effects. Focus is placed on African, Cuban, and Brazilian rhythms. |
| The Language of Music | A program where kids create and compose rhythms or short songs using "say it-play it" techniques as well as other dynamics learned in ensembles. Body percussion and movement also incorporated. |
Recycle!!!! |
Make instruments using recycled and found objects and then play your instrument with the group. |
| Rhythms & Rhymes | A percussion and poetry program where students write poems and create musical accompaniment for performance poetry. |
| Feel the Beat | Joined by Giovana Robinson, Josh will teach participants Latin dance and songs. |
| Latin Performance | Festive performance of Latin music from Cuba, Brazil, Panama, and Columbia. We encourage audience participation and we incorporate stories about the instruments and songs we use in our show. Everyone from children to seniors will enjoy this fiesta! Availability: weekday & weekend days and evenings. |
| PoJazz | Features Lamont "Napalm Da Bomb" Dixon and his charismatic, rhythmic, and energetic style of performance poetry set to a background of jazzy, soulful, bluesy music with musicians Josh Robinson (percussion) and Luke O'Reilly (keyboards). The show is an interactive, spontaneous, and joyful ride through words and song with Lamont playing off of the crowd and musicians taking their cues from his words. Programs can be tailored to audiences of all ages. Learn the theory and fundamentals of performance, along with applied instruction in a single instrument (choice of voice, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums or percussion). |
The Sharif B. Abdullah Syndicate
The Sharif B. Abdullah Syndicate has been an Art-Reach In-facility Roster Artist for over 13 years! Their performances incorporate elements of Jazz, Funk, and Afro-Cuban rhythms from diverse range of eras. The syndicate has played numerous venues across the region including museums, elder care facilities, universities, and public schools.
Having studied classical saxophone at Temple University and jazz at the University of the Arts, Stacey is a home grown talent. Combing his love of the saxaphone with his passion for faith based music, Stacey offers a musically stimulating performance utilizing his many talents in singing, playing the saxaphone, and arranging music. He is sure to inspire all who listen. He has traveled across the United States to Europe, performing with artist such as Patti LaBelle, The Stylistics, and Blue Magic. He has also shared the stage with Kirk Whalum, Najee, Gerald Albright, and Stevie Wonder. Stacey is well noted in the industry for his versatility in the music and phenomenal arrangements. He has been sought out by various artists including Grammy award-winning singer Teddy Pendergrass, gold certified R&B artist Sybil, and R&B artist Lorenzo.
Sound Samples:
Think on These Things
Good News Blues
Miguel is unique in his enthusiasm and experience. A ball of energy, he provides an interactive musical performance incorporating many genres such as Big Band, Soul, Motown, R&B, and Broadway. In his own words, all of his performances incorporate "smiles, laughter, movement, and joy". Miguel customizes his performance based on the needs of his audience. He is currently working on several new songs with Rick Harris of Que Sound Studio and Dwight Williams of Ground Zero Recording, focusing on R&B,Smooth Jazz, and Neo-Soul.
Sound Samples:
Fly Me toThe Moon
Don't Stop Me
Take My Hand
Women's Sekere Ensemble
Female percussionists dedicated to the celebration and preservation of African and African Diasporic (Cuba, Haiti, Brazil, and Puerto Rico) music. Performs traditional and New World singing and drumming using intricately beaded gourd called sekere's. Contact: Omomola Iyabenmi.
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