The 2008 Musicians Series
 Tom Freund
www.myspace.com/tomfreundmusic
New York City native Freund now hangs his hat in Venice, California. When he first moved out to Southern California in the early '90s, he formed a duo with Ben Harper, which resulted in an album entitled Pleasure And Pain. Freund spent the mid-'90s touring with the indie rock cult faves The Silos. In 1998, he released his debut album North American Long Weekend on Red Ant label. The record received an avalanche of critical accolades, most notably in The New York Times in which Ann Powers called it an "unexpected gem" and ranked it #3 in her year-end best-of poll. Tom writes all his own material and his songs continue to be featured on such prime time TV shows as Las Vegas and One Tree Hill as well as such films as American Standard, Me and Will and 12 Bucks. Steven Spielberg's SHOAH Foundation also used three of Tom's compositions for their Giving Voice video. In 2001, he won a Telly Award for the music behind a National Public Service Announcement concerning child abuse. He continues to tour North America and Europe playing with his band or doing solo shows.
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 The Guru Singh Experience
www.gurusingh.com
Guru Singh began playing music at the age of five, and started his recording career with Warner Bros. Reprise in San Francisco's music revolution of the 1960s. An advocate of world peace and peace of mind, he's studied and taught Kundalini yoga for the past 32 years - always with his music and chanting which form an integral part of his classes. |
 Chris Pierce
www.chrispierce.com/aboutcp/index.htm
Chris Pierce is a soul singer. Chris Pierce is a song-craftsman. Chris Pierce is a gifted performer. With his second studio recording under his belt entitled "Walking on the Earth," and over 350 live performances in the past two years, Chris Pierce is living by his own words, "all that matters is now". Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Chris has been performing in clubs, on television, and on concert tours since before he could drive. He has earned the notoriety of an L.A. underground music legend. Still a young man, Chris Pierce is often described as an old soul and his music has been compared to greats like Bill Withers, Al Green and Otis Redding, yet he has a voice that stands alone. He grew up on classic recordings, and believes in making albums that not only feel good as a whole but can also be broken down and be rediscovered again and again, one song at a time. |
 Jon T. Howard
www.myspace.com/jonthoward
Born in St. Charles, Missouri, Jon T. Howard grew up the hard way. Few songwriters have lived to tell the tales that Howard serenely lays to paper and song. Romantic and masculine, bluesy-bitter and folksy-forgiving, wise and foolish; his understated and unvarnished lyrics cut to the heart of Howard's complex soul. When Howard was a teenager his family moved to Chicago, and it was there that Jon began singing in a local bar band and composing songs. While still in high school, Jon's family once again relocated, this time to Dallas. A difficult move at the time but a blessing in disguise, the diverse musical influences of Texas would become a defining ingredient of Howard's songwriting. His musical heroes include Bob Marley, John Lennon and U2's Bono 'For seeing the world in a greater light,' Jon: 'I also feel the need to do more. You can't save the world as a whole but you save one human at a time, and hope you can be a positive influence. I like to believe in and try to find the good in all'.
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 Tony Khalife
www.myspace.com/tonykhalife
Tony was born in Beirut, Lebanon in the spring of 1964. He knew at a very young age that he wanted to be a musician but the Civil War broke out when he was eleven years old, marking the end of his childhood. The boy was drafted into a local militia, learning to handle a gun instead of a guitar. When gunmen stormed the Khalife home and beat his mother, the family was forced to leave and they hid in an underground room. In hiding, the young boy taught himself to play the guitar. Tony Khalife arrived in Los Angeles in 1984 with two guitars, tuition money and a handful of English words. At the Guitar Institute, his abilities as a guitarist were recognized and he had the privilege of playing with Al DiMeola. After his graduation from GIT, Tony began teaching music at the Showcase Music Institute, and the Community School of Music and Art in Palo Alto. Two years later, Tony released his first album of jazz alternative fusion Pandhari with the first incarnation of the Tony Khalife Group.
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 The Luminaries
www.myspace.com/luminariesmusic
A dynamic group of gifted artists who know that they are here to affect great positive change on this planet by spearheading the luminous movement, and exposing truth through the vehicle of music. The Luminaries blend their talents as poets, MC's, rappers, singers, musicians, producers, and composers, appealing to all audiences. They often include guest musicians, DJ's, and poets to collaborate and be the example of what we can create when we work together. Each Luminary lives their words, focusing energy into activities such as: working with homeless youth, community pro-activism, holistic health and nutrition, teaching energy cultivation and meditation practices, supporting earth-conscious living, and hosting events that bring people together to celebrate life through music, dance and creative expression thereby raising the love vibration of the planet. |
 Mojow and the Vibration Army
www.myspace.com/vibrationarmy
Moriah(Mo) and John(Jo) Whoolilurie(W) make up the dynamic duo MoJoW. On January 2nd 2002 Moriah and John met and were married 11 days later. During those first 11 days their lives were changed forever as the vision of The Vibration Army was born. MoJoW envisioned The Vibration Army as a vehicle for using music, art, dance and all positive vibrations to help create a better world. |
 Shannon Moore
www.myspace.com/shannonmooremusic
Singer/Songwriter Shannon Moore is not one to back down. After an
artist developement deal with Sony, 3 record deals, and a life
threatening car accident, Shannon's craft has more than developed, it is
truely evolving. She has been compared to Chrissie Hynde, KT Tunstall, and Amiee Mann, but her style stands on its own. Naturally groove oriented, her voice is pure and passionate, her songs are intelligent, well crafted and memorable. Much of her success has been with song placement on Movies and TV, but her main goal is to make a difference in people's lives through her songs, lyrics, and efforts to bring awareness and consciousness to those who hear her music. For more info visit http://www.myspace.com/shannonmooremusic
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 Jillian Speer
www.myspace.com/jillianspeermusic
Born and raised north of Seattle, Jillian was a natural born performing artist.
She studied dance from age 3 (ballet, tap, jazz, & modern) and competed nationally & regionally till she was 16 years old. At age 16, Jillian Speer received an International scholarship to study in India for one year. In India, she became a certified yoga instructor and learned how to play the sitar. Jillian cut her first demo at 14 years old, and recorded her first album at 18. Soon after, she went on tour opening for Jewel. She has remained on her own label, SPEERIT RECORDS, and continues to record and release her albums independently. |
 Todd Washington
www.myspace.com/toddwashington
Originally from Boston Massachusetts, Todd brings an analog amalgamation of blues, folk, rock, soul, & gospel to the digital landscape in hopes of helping us all escape the woes of urban strife in our lives. As a guitarist, singer, bassist, percussionist & songwriter Todd has been a musical mentor on the L.A. music scene for over a decade. Plans for his second release "the Hayworth Incident" are now underway.
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