Artist Biographies

Shanna Carlson: Shanna Carlson, piano and voice, one of the San Francisco Bay Area's finest song stylists performs at many of the top spots in the Bay Area, including Jazz at Pearl's, Yoshi's, The Plush Room, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, San Francisco, as well as jazz festivals and other concert venues. By the age of thirteen she was already playing piano and organ in church and later sought out pianist and composer-educator Bill Bell, who became her musical mentor. She developed into an accomplished and versatile singer as well as pianist and co-produced her first album "Swing High, Swing Low" with Bell.  Reviewer Phillip Elwood of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote of her song "Silences," co-written with lyricist Ken McKenzie: "This is a gem, certain to become a standard". Shanna can be found working in diverse contexts from solo pianist to big band vocalist, recording or touring throughout the U.S., England, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. Recording credits include several movies and network televisions shows, and she is currently recording and touring with her Jazz Musical "Almost Famous" co-written with vocalist Cathi Walkup. Press credits include ecstatic reviews from JazzTimes, Jazz Link, Down Beat, Los Angeles Weekly, and Jazz Now.

Grover Coe: Best known to Northern California music lovers for his collaboration with bassist and vocalist Dizzy Burnett, Grover Coe is an established vocalist and guitartist in his own right. The Bay Area's "Metro" newspapers have described his work as: "smart, sophisticated, full of subdued snap and swing." The San Jose Mercury News adds "Coe's guitar sounds as smooth and polished as the chrome on a 50's diner." Grover has become a staple at some of California's most prestigious resorts and restaurants; venues such as the Lodge at Pebble Beach, Carmel's Highlands Inn, and the Inn at Spanish Bay, and has charmed enthusiastic audiences with his musicality and showmanship from Palm Springs to San Francisco.

Chip Curry: Chip Curry’s musical career started in Tucson, Arizona in the 1970s when, with his five-string banjo, he led the Summerdog Bluegrass, Mariachi, and Swing Ensemble to a ten-year stint as the Southwest’s premiere string band. They recorded three albums, starred in five musical comedies, won many contests, and kept folks dancin’ and toe tappin’ to many a fine performance. Chip then took up his grandfather’s bow and learned to play the fiddle. He has played international dance music for the Westwind International Folk Ensemble and Jubilee American Dance Theater, accompanying them on multiple tours in Europe and Mexico. Currently, Chip recaptures the spirit of his parents, playing guitar and singing popular music from the early twentieth century. He plays several hundred shows a year, both solo, and with bands. His sponsors have included the Western States Arts Foundation, Young Audiences, and the Arizona Commission for the Arts. As an actor, he been a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity Association.

"Fast Eddie" Erickson began his banjo/guitar career in the San Jose, California area in the mid ''60s, and moved to Monterey, California in 1969 to work at Capone''s Warehouse on Canary Row. From there Ed went to DisneyWorld and Disneyland, where he was featured in the "Class of ''27" show at the Diamond and Golden Horseshoes, and starred in the Banjo Kings as well. He has been a featured performer at banjo shows, conventions, private parties, jazz concerts, and has appeared with such noted jazz performers as Jackie Coon, Rick Fay, Dan Barrett, Dave Frishberg, Johnny Varro, and others. From 1978 to 1983, Eddie led the "Riverboat Rascals" show band on board Disney''s Empress Lilly Showboat. In recent years, Eddie has been featured with Big Mama Sue at festivals, fairs, and even the "Sancy Snow" Jazz Festival in France. Fast Eddie is a respected and loved member of the jazz fraternity, and one of the funniest performers on the scene.

Johnny Fabulous: For over a decade, singer, songwriter Johnny Fabulous has appeared in venues ranging from concert halls to restaurants and pubs. The unmistakable voice and piano stylings of the Johnny Fabulous Show have brought joy and entertained audiences of thousands, usually forty at a time. Blending the swing of Sinatra with the soulfulness of Ray Charles, Johnny performs Classics from the Great American Songbook as well as his own compositions—some poignant, some comic, many drawn from his own perspectives and experiences. Mixing Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Gospel, and nearly twenty-five years of professional experience, he has performed throughout California in a variety of venues. A resident of Santa Cruz, he "brings shades of Las Vegas to the Coast."

Penny Hanna: Musician/songwriter Penny Hanna performs throughout the San Francisco Bay area as a singer, bassist, and/or reed player with numberous groups, including The Musician's Warehouse Big Band featuring jazz legend Louie Bellson, the Young at Heart Project, Esther's Klezmer Band, and Velzoe and the Upbeats. She has collaborated or performed in theatre productions with Erica Lann-Clark. As a viola da gambist Ms. Hanna currently performs with harpsichordist Katie Clare Mazzeo in concerts and recitals. Awards include first place and Best Female Vocalist in the Austin Music Umbrella Songwriters Competition, a featured performer on KUT's Live Set, and a finalist in the New York Songwriters Showcase and Austin Chronicle Musicians Poll.  Her recording credits include an Early Music LP for 1750 Arch  Records, the title song to the cult film Hollywood Boulevard (Miracle Pictures), numberous CDs, LPs, and EPs with Dan Del Santo's Professors of Pleasure (Earthworks, Flying Fish) and three albums of her own songs in 1986, 1987 and 1988. Recent recordings include three Jazz Society of Santa Cruz County compellation CDs, and her arranging credits included works for Jazz Birds, the California Gamba Consort, and Sex Chordae Consort of Viols directed by John Dornenburg of Stanford University. Her most recent CD, Topsy Turvey, is with guitarist and jazz chromatic (slide) harmonica player Slide Man Slim.

"She makes great singing seem effortless."
Cindy Campo, Metro Santa Cruz

"Hanna delivers the songs with a voice of astonishing purity and clarity."
Joyce Mann, Register-Pajaronian

Steve Kritzer: Multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, or piano) recording artist, producer, studio musician, and band leader Steve Kritzer's career includes regular main stage performances at the Cork and Belfast Folk Festivals in Ireland, the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee, and the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. An award winning songwriter, he was finalist at both the Kerrville and Napa Valley Folk festivals. Steve is gaining fans worldwide for his incredibly polished yet personal performances, fiery instrumental work, and award winning 'touch your heart' songs. A man of many musics, Kritzer is as comfortable with Celtic and bluegrass music as he is with traditional folk, country, rock, and big band swing, blending these influences with his own ideas and amazingly diverse musical talents. Steve now divides his time between Nashville and California, honing his performing skills, writing with some of Nashville's best writers, and putting his vast instrumental and production skills to use on numerous recording projects for others as well as for his own record label “Swallowtail Music.” He is also gaining a new legion of fans with his 'Young At Heart' shows for the elderly.

"His hands are around his guitar and his arms are around his audience."
Radio KEEN

"He simply knows a million songs and performs them flawlessly."
The Los Gatos Times

"Fred McCarty  and Company’s  combination  of  vocals and excellent musicianship easily qualifies them as Band of the Year.  In my opinion this group has  everything  it takes  to  reach  the highest level in the music industry.”
Patricia Dennis, Coordinator, Starfest, Inc.

Chuck McCabe: In groups and as a solo performer, Chuck McCabe has played in Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Saloon, Nashville's Bluebird Cafe, L.A.'s Troubador and Ice House, and toured Viet Nam, Thailand, Japan, and the Philippines for the USO. An award-winning songwriter (American Song Festival, Music City Songfest, Sisters Folk Fest, Napa Valley Music Festival, Tucson Folk Festival, Wildflower Festival, and the Woody Guthrie Songwriting Competition), his credits include numerous independent releases, including a soon-to-release self-produced third CD on the BlahBlahWoofWoof  label. Chuck is a Grammy NARAS voting member, an ASCAP writer/publisher, has recorded his songs on ABC, Capitol, and GRT labels in Los Angeles and Nashville, was a staff writer for ABC, and wrote the Pet Rock song with the Rock's inventor. His first book published in 1993 sold not only to musicians and songwriters but to countless colleges and county libraries across the country following a buy-recommendation by the American Library Association. In addition to working on his second book, Chuck is currently playing bass in an Irish group, lead guitar in an oldies band, 5-string banjo with other folk artists, and teaching a popular workshop for the West Coast Songwriters Organization.

Ginny Mitchell started her music career in Canada. Ginny took Canada by storm, placing five hits into Canada's top 40 shortly after starting her recording career, which brought her talent to the attention of an entire nation. She recorded in Nashville with her friend and producer, Mark Schatz. The "Wild Rose" cd is a a reflection of Ginny's influences- Gordon Lightfoot, Merle Haggard and Claire Lynch.Mark Schatz called some of his friends in on the sessions : Bela Fleck, Wyatt Rice, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, John Jorgenson and Mark O'Connor. Her style and reputation grew as she traveled between her two homes in the wilds of Western Canada and Northern California. Ginny delivers a charisma emanating straight from the heart. Embraced by her fellow Canadians, the *CCMA dubbed her Best New Artist. In Santa Cruz Ginny met and formed a friendship with Lacy J. Dalton. When Lacy and her husband moved the Virginia City, Nevada they became involved in helping to save a piece of vanishing west...the Comstock wild horses. Lacy formed the Let 'em Run foundation. Since that time Ginny has been helping to promote their cause by raising public awareness of the plight of the women struggling to save the Wild Horses of Storey County, Nevada. Ginny and her husband, Marty Collins are producing broadcast programming for PBS Television, and other broadcast, cable, DVD, CD and worldwide Web markets. This gives the PBS audience and others an opportunity to share in the vision of building a permanent wildlife Sanctuary for the Comstock Wild Horses. You can hear Ginny's efforts on "Girls from Santa Cruz", a cd from the live concert with Lacy J. Dalton and Mary McCaslin.

Ginny has a style all her own as light as a feather or as charged as dynamite."
      Larry Delaney, Editor of Country Music News

...superb vocals and soulful delivery."

Edmonton Sun

Karin Phoenix: is a versatile guitarist and singer with years of experience in many styles of music. Karin's infectious enthusiasm and knock-out vocals continue to bring rave reviews from her audiences throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. She brings considerable skills from her theatrical and USO touring careers to every show, large or small. Karin's producing and performing credits include diverse theatrical reviews, including tributes to Broadway and film composer Cole Porter and country and western singer Patsy Cline. Wearing many hats, Karin wrote, directed, acted, and sang in these musicals.

“Karin sold out every show with standing room only and was presented with standing ovations from very pleased audiences calling for more. Karin and the band showed outstanding professionalism and poise in what is the most stressful situation entertainers face--theater and all its strict demands.”
Rick Stroup, Technical Director
Bay Shore Lyric Opera

“One of my favorite memories is her participation in the Patsy Cline Concert at Palookaville. Even Clint Eastwood and his future wife Dina Ruiz were present, wearing beaming smiles the whole evening.”
Merry Lou White, Chaminad

Frank Lima: a.k.a. Julio Morgani, Frank is a virtuoso accordionist in the European romantic style, specializing in French/Italian/Portuguese music, and of course, American standards. Frank has an amazing repertoire at his fingertips, and can usually play most requests on the spot.

Sean Seman: Founder and Artistic Director of Young at Heart Project, Loyola University graduate and Chicago born Sean Seman is a vocalist and guitarist with 23 years professional experience specializing in guitar flat-picking and traditional Irish and American bluegrass music. He has toured extensively throughout the western U.S. and Canada, performed on Canadian television, and recorded albums with Fred Koller and Shel Siverstein. His concert credits include openings for Leo Kotke, Steven Stills, Dave Mason, Jesse Colin Young, Doc Watson, Marshall Tucker, Maria Muldaur, and Ry Cooder. Founder and Artistic Director of the Young at Heart Project, he created a one-of-a-kind program whereby professional musicians enrich the lives of seniors in residential and nursing care facilities by bringing them “music of their times” (i.e., of the 20’s, 30’, 40’s, etc.) restoring memories of their past to enhance their present. Under Sean's leadership  Young at Heart has grown from 80 performances in 1985 to over 1,000 shows yearly in Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Monterey counties.

James "Fingers" Shupe: Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist: raised in a family of 8 fiddlers and trained as a classical violinist at age 5, "Fingers" began his career very young. Studying under Oscar Chuasow, concert Master of the Utah Symphony, Fingers played in both school and community symphonies while also playing popular and trick fiddle music. By age 17 he was touring and recording as a musician throughout the U.S. with nationally known artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Ace Cannon, John Mayall, Roy Clark, Dixie Dregs, and Dan Hicks and his Acoustic Warriors. Recording credits include two movies and many recordings. As an instrumentalist, his awards include "Utah State Open Fiddle Contest" three years in a row and the "1990 National Trick & Fancy Fiddle Contest."

Mitch Sakolsky:Musician and performer Mitch Sakolsky brings over 30 years of broadcast and corporate television experience to the Young at Heart stage. A graduate of City University of New York-Queens College, he has 14 years experience as Stage Manager/Audio Asst for "NBA Inside Stuff", 20 years field audio for NBA Entertainment, 10 years audio crew "Sally Jessy Raphael Show", and 2 years Stage Manager for "Inside the Actors Studio". In addition to his skills on guitar, ukelele and voice, Mitch was a music therapist in New York City for 5 years, and loves to fresh water fish! .

Mark Watson: Pianist and vocalist Mark Watson brings considerable experience as a touring musician in diverse musical settings. As a pianist, Hammond organist, and vocalist, Mark has shared the stage with top talents in the pop music field, including Tina Turner, Santana, Seals and Croft, Ted Nugent, the Blues Image, Jerry Jeff Walker, Buddy Miles, and The Allman Brothers. A native of Miami, he recently brought his performing skills to the San Francisco Bay Area community. His easy-going manner, good humor, and love of jazz, Broadway and popular music from the first half of the twentieth, round out his musical skills.