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We never refer to our live
musician ensembles as "background" music. We prefer "ambiance" because that's you get. Yes, the right ensemble can set the mood, however you'd like. Company networking reception? Bring on some upbeat jazz instrumentals. A young 50-something birthday party? Definitely need some Sinatra and standards. A reward ceremony for eager sales professionals? Some good old smokin' Chicago blues gets the mojo working. You name the event, we'll find the right music to make the mood! (Many of our bands listed on the "bands" page
are available as instrumental combinations as well. Just ask!)
Bill Boris Trio
Bill is a virtuoso guitarist, and having a guitar as part of a jazz trio is not
only different, but it adds a cool flavor to the music. These cats can swing
and get down with the best of them, and they have! Although they've worked with
legends such as Irene Reed and Charles Earland, they prefer to jam together,
make awesome music, and share their talent with Chicago, one event at a time.
Sure to please, this trio hasn't had one disappointed reveler yet. Bill's standard
jazz trio is piano, guitar, and drums.
Sound clips
With You I'm Born Again (MP3 443Kb)
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Quiet Fire
Two guitar guys and a drum machine. Cool concept? Well, it's not only a concept
- it's real... and awesome entertainment. Bill Boris and Paul Merar share their
talent
as guitar greats with a drum sound that completes the music. Beatles, Blues,
Clapton, Stevie Wonder - the repertoire is vast. This is great, contemporary
music
at a great price. The drum machine doesn't charge much!
Sound clips
Isn't She Lovely (MP3 567Kb)
Wave (MP3
482Kb)
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 Elaine
Dame Duo/Trio
As an accomplished jazz singer and flautist, Elaine performs at the finest venues
in the city, with the most sought after accompanists. Her eclectic mix of jazz,
pop and standards will please all your guests, and she comes highly recommended.
Perhaps you've seen her at Pops for Champagne, Shaw's
Crabhouse, Green Dolphin
Street, Katerina's, Lush
Life, or the Hotels Allegro and Intercontinental. Maybe
you were lucky enough to catch her during her 18-month engagement at the Metropoleat the Fairmont Hotel. If not, here's what you can do: book her for your next
party!
Sound clips
The Best Is Yet To Come (MP3 520Kb)
Ticket To Ride (MP3
571Kb)
Testimonials
"Elaine Dame has a winning stage presence and a chameleon-like vocal flexibility"
Adam Langer, Chicago Reader
"What impressed me most about Miss Dame was her ability to completely understand the meaning of a particular song and express that to her audience." -
Todd Shuman, Cabaret Hotline
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 MaryMonica
& Myles Duo
Working together regularly at Tuscany Restaurant in
Oakbrook, MaryMonica Thomas and Myles Greene share a repertoire and versatility
that very few piano/vocal
duos possess. Using piano/keyboard and minidisc tracks, they have the ability
to perform a huge variety of material using all the instruments you'd expect
from a big band. Their songlist boasts hundreds of songs usually reserved for
a much larger group. If you're looking for a duo that can play anything from
Sinatra to Donna Summer, MaryMonica and Myles are it. And if you really want
the big
band
sound
without the big budget, well here's your answer. Stop by Tuscany and
check them
out...in no time you'll be on the dance floor!
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 Steve
Carson & Company
Steve is one of the most requested piano players in town, not only by clients but by singers as well! Lucky for us, Steve is really picky about whom he performs with, and he has created a quartet of musical duos that are uniquely fabulous. Whether you're looking for elegant grand piano and vocals, or a fun, interactive cabaret show, Steve will fit the bill - and fit the dollar bill, too!
Sound clips
Sample Clip 01 (MP3 501Kb)
Sample Clip 02 (MP3
547Kb)
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 Steve
& Heather Moran
Steve and Heather are a jazz/cabaret duo, with Heather on vocals and Steve on
Keys. They provide a wonderful mix of jazz standards, show tunes, and requests
during your cocktail/dinner hour. Heather's silky smooth vocals and Steve's stunning
accompaniment is a sweet musical collaboration. Their newest project - a show
called "Rosie: A Tribute to Rosemary Clooney" - recently debuted at
Davenport's Cabaret Lounge. They continue to wow audiences with their versatility
every Friday night at Bistrot Margot French cafe in Chicago's swanky Old Town.
Steve and Heather personally invited you to check them out at one of these two
venues. Come see what they're all about!
Sound clips
Sample Clip 01 (MP3 483Kb)
Sample Clip 02 (MP3
473Kb)
Testimonials
"One of the ten top cool things to see in Chicago!" - Chicago Sun
Times
"Heather Moran is one of the best singers in Chicago..." - Nick Digilio,
WGN 720AM
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 Paul
Marinaro & Steve Carson Duo
Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick, Jr., and now.....Paul Marinaro! Just
like the classic crooners, this young man knows how to deliver a song that will
make you melt. He has a passion for the Great American Songbook, and strives
to keep the familiar standards invigorating and new. He has performed onboard
the Mystic Blue Dinner Cruiseship with Steve Carson, and appears regularly at
the Gentry Nightclub. He seems to channel the big-band singers of the forties
and fifties - maybe that's because he has had a little coaching from the great
Anita O'Day, his mentor and friend.
Testimonials
"I sang with the 'main man'! Thanks for a great time" - Joanne Cooper, Lake
View Seniors
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 Gail
Becker & Steve Carson Duo
Gail brings her sultry voice and love of Broadway to numerous private events
in Chicago and Florida. Together, Steve and Gail are very interactive, and bring
a fun atmosphere to every event. We like to use the words "Moxie" and "Pizzazz" to
describe Gail for two reasons: first, because she's got it! And second, because
we never get to use those words anymore. A grad of Miami University (BFA, Theater
Performance), Gail has been heard at Bistrot Margot, The
Big House, the Royal George Theater Cabaret Room, University Club, The Mercury
Theater, Voltaire,
Cucina Bella, Naples Yacht Club, and Magnum's Steakhouse.
Testimonials
"Becker creates nothing less than pure magic." Jeff Rossen, Cabaret Scenes
"Gail Becker, (who) brought down the house, has a voice with a crystalline Broadway Edge" -
Jennifer Vanasco, Chicago Reader.
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 MaryMonica
& Steve Carson
MaryMonica and Steve started performing together on the elegant Odyssey
Dinner
Cruiseship several years ago, and have been together ever since. They've built
a repertoire of classy standards, jazz, adult contemporary songs and showtunes.
With their extensive experience in the theater and cabaret rooms, when they perform,
they get your attention. With a very personable and approachable style, MaryMonica
and Steve make you feel at home - whether in the lounge of your country club,
the banquet room for your holiday party, or the living room of your neighbor,
they'll have you singing along and making merry music until the wee hours.
Testimonials
"Ms. Thomas brings a refreshing breath of fresh air to these well-known songs, and performs them like a master." -
Cabaret Hotline
"Through the course of the night Thomas will seduce you, entertain you, amuse
you, and inspire you."
- Paul Barile, Chicago Arts and Entertainment
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 Elizabeth
Doyle
A singer and pianist, Elizabeth is very versatile, performing solo or in duo,
trio, or quartet settings while at the piano. If you look up the word "classy" in
the dictionary, you're sure find a picture of Elizabeth crooning away. Her credentials
are impeccable: she performed regularly at the famous Pump
Room in Chicago's
Ambassador East Hotel, Pops
for Champagne, Lush Life, and Catch
35 on Wacker.
Multi-lingual, she presents at an annual French Bastille
Day program and has
sung for the Bureau of French Tourism and Air
France. She recorded two CD's featuring
both standards and her original songs. Theater lovers have heard her original
scores for "Alice in Analysis" at Circle Theater and "Fat Tuesday" and "Sleepy
Hollow" at the Theater Building in Chicago. Elizabeth would be nothing short
of a perfect addition to your event to make it that much more special for your
guests.
Sound clips
I'm Always Drunk in San Francisco (MP3
520Kb)
I Got The Sun (MP3
571Kb)
Testimonials
"fantastic voice and gorgeous piano playing" - Todd Shuman, Cabaret Hotline
Online
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 Mark
Burnell Pianist/Volcalist
Mark Burnell and Anne Pringle - As a multi-talented solo performer, Mark has
a pretty impressive resume. He has tickled the ivories at Chicago's famous Coq
D'Or at the Drake Hotel, the Plaza Tavern,
Biggs Mansion, Pops for Champagne,
Yvette, Toulouse on the Park, and Davenport's. He has worked with many celebrities
including Bobby McFerrin, Howie Mandel, and Connie Francis. In addition to his
busy performance career, he has also been a noted teacher at Carnegie Mellon,
Northwestern University, and Roosevelt University. The celebrity he most enjoys
working with is his musical partner Anne Pringle. Together they create stunning
harmonies and unique, original arrangements of familiar songs. They recently
released their debut CD of duets -- Little Things We Do Together -- on Spectrum
Records. We heard they tickle the ivories.
Sound clips
Some People (MP3 594Kb)
Under The Board Walk (MP3
521Kb)
Testimonials
"Make no mistake about it - If there is ever to be another Jackie Cain and Roy Kral, it is sure to be in the persons of Anne Pringle and Mark Burnell" -
WBEZ Radio
"Burnell's music direction and piano accompaniment were silky smooth and highly polished" -
Chicago Sun-Times
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 Head
Over Heels Duo
Singer-Songwriters Victoria Fuller and John Seitz have been creating music together
for over five years. Their vocal and guitar harmonies blend to create an eclectic
mix of rockin' rhythms with a softer presentation. The beauty is in the simplicity; acoustic, unplugged entertainment in originals and covers with influences from Joe Jackson to Natalie Merchant. With a repertoire of rock, pop, and blues from classic rock to today's hits, they are a unique duo for your next event!
Sound clips
Sample Clip 01 (MP3 364Kb)
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 MaryMonica
Music Party Pack
A new concept started by MaryMonica, this is a great entertainment option for
any size party or event. After listening to clients' desires for entertainment
that has the best of both worlds - the versatility of a DJ and the elegance of
live musicians - we started a revolution. The singer/pianist duo will start by
entertaining during your elegant cocktail/dinner hour; they then reveal their
DJ talents and keep your guests dancing the night away. This combination of live
performance with DJ excitement is one of our best sellers (and economical because
you don't have to hire separate performers and DJs!). All MaryMonica Music performers
are professional musicians and singers who have played the finest Chicago venues,
and trained as DJ's. How innovative! How reasonable! How smart!!! Yeah, we know.
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