PROGRAM NOTES
PROGRAM NOTES
UPTOWN NIGHTS
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Byron Stripling
Conductor , trumpet virtuoso , singer , and actor Byron Stripling has ignited audiences across the globe . Since being named Principal Pops conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra , Stripling has led countless orchestras .
Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops , Stripling has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country , soloing with over 100 orchestras around the world including the Boston Pops , National Symphony , Pittsburgh Symphony , Dallas Symphony , Cincinnati Pops , Seattle Symphony , Baltimore Symphony , Minnesota Orchestra , St . Louis Symphony , Vancouver Symphony , Toronto Symphony , and orchestras throughout Europe and Asia . He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and performs at festivals around the world .
Television viewers have enjoyed his work as a soloist on the worldwide telecast of The Grammy Awards . Millions have heard his trumpet and voice on television commercials , TV theme songs including “ 20 / 20 ,” CNN , and soundtracks of favorite movies . In addition to multiple recordings with his quintet , and work with artists from Tony Bennett to Whitney Houston , his prolific recording career includes hundreds of albums with the greatest pop , Broadway , soul , and jazz artists of all time .
Earning his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra , Stripling shined under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster . He has also played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie , Woody Herman , Dave Brubeck , Lionel Hampton , Clark Terry , Louis Bellson , and Buck Clayton in addition to The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra , The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band , and The GRP All-Star Big Band .
He was educated at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester , New York , and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen , Michigan . One of his greatest joys is to return , periodically , to Eastman and Interlochen as a special guest lecturer .
Carmen Bradford
Grammy nominee Carmen Bradford grew up with music in her home and in her heart . It was only natural that Carmen would follow in the footsteps of her family legacy , being the daughter of legendary trumpeter / composer Bobby Bradford and world-renowned vocalist / composer Melba Joyce . Her grandfather Melvin Moore sang with Lucky Millender and Dizzy Gillespie ’ s Big Band in the 1940s and sang with the Ink Spots , making Carmen the third generation of incredible musicians . Carmen Bradford is jazz royalty .
Carmen was discovered and hired by William “ Count ” Basie , and was the featured vocalist in the legendary Count Basie Orchestra for nine years . She has since performed and / or recorded with : Wynton Marsalis , Shelly Berg , John Clayton along with the Clayton Hamilton Orchestra , Nancy Wilson , Doc Severinsen , Tony Bennett , James Brown , Patti Austin , Byron Stripling , Dori Caymmi , George Benson , Lena Horne , Frank Sinatra , Joe Williams , Rochester Philharmonic , the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra , the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra , The Dani Felber Big Band , Dallas Symphony , Oklahoma Symphony , Vancouver Philharmonic , and countless artists around the world . Her soulful voice warmed the hearts of Americans through the celebrated performance of the classic duet , “ How Do You Keep The Music Playing ?” on the “ Tonight Show , with Johnny Carson ” that same year .
Carmen has loaned her talented voice to stage productions and the music of Hollywood films , such as Oprah Winfrey ’ s “ Beloved .” With countless releases of her own , Carmen has proven to have the vocal dexterity to excite her fans with each new release . From strippeddown smooth sounds to big band , jazzy renditions of holiday favorites , she ’ s carved our her legacy as a jazz powerhouse .
Leo Manzari
Originally from Washington DC , Leo Manzari is a Lucille Lortel award nominated tap dancer , headlining in various productions such as the touring and Off-Broadway productions of Maurice Hines is Tappin ’ Thru Life , featured guest artist on So You Think You Can Dance , Kennedy Center ’ s 50th Inaugural Celebration of JFK and Marvin Gaye tribute , Dorrance Dance ’ s Nutcracker Suite , The Mo ’ nique Show , The Kate TV , TEDMED , PBS News Hour , Jerry Lewis Telethon , and ABC ’ s “ The View .” Leo
Byron Stripling
Carmen Bradford
Leo Manzari
has also featured as a solo tap dance feature in Hozier ’ s music video “ Almost ( Sweet Music ),” and guest starred with Anderson . Paak ’ s band The Free Nationals for various virtual events . Now residing in Los Angeles , California , Leo currently headlines alongside Byron Stripling and Grammy nominated Jazz vocalist , Carmen Bradford collaborating with multiple POPS orchestras around the world including The Winnipeg Orchestra , The Florida Orchestra , Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra , and The Philly POPS . Other credentials include a recurring role in Season 6 of Showtime ’ s television show “ Homeland ,” and lead writer and vocalist of his own original music .
MAY-JUN 2023 / OVERTURE 21