Singer and songwriter, Carla Jamie Perez. began singing prenatally and has never stopped. She considers herself an artist of eclectic tastes and total vocality.  Although she studied with some of the world’s most renown classical singers/ teachers she considers her first voice teachers growing up to be jazz greats Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald and admits she frequently gave “Frankie” a spin (all via vinyl).  Though the music of Jazz and Broadway were her first loves her father, a devoted operaphile,  thought it an unsuitable match for a proper young lady and persuaded her (or else) to pursue a career in classical music, which she did.

She attended Peabody Conservatory, Indiana University, and the Music Academy of the West respectively, gaining the requisite credentials and degrees (interestingly, she paid for a good deal of her “classical” music education singing in clubs and bars with her own jazz ensemble -unbeknownst to her father).  She participated in the affiliate artist program at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Germany and was invited into the emerging artist program at the Met after winning the Metropolitan Opera Competition.  With a classical career spanning twenty-five years, she is an accomplished, recognized and sought after recitalist, symphony and chamber music soloist and opera singer and has sung with symphonies, opera companies, in festivals and in recital throughout the U.S. and made guest artist appearances in South America, Canada and Europe.

She is delighted to have this opportunity to sing some of the jazz standards she “cut her teeth on” (literally – she teethed on album covers as an infant).

A “singer’s” teacher,  she now makes her home in Pasadena where she teaches voice mastery privately to aspiring singers and people who just enjoy singing. She continues to study, coach and perform, considering the mastery of singing to be a lifelong pursuit.

Vibraphonist and composer NICK MANCINI began his professional career as a drummer, at the age of 15. Later he graduated Manhattan School of Music’s master’s degree program in jazz performance and continued to live and work in NYC for 10 years; relocating to Los Angeles in 2006. He has performed and recorded with such diverse luminaries as Arturo Sandoval, Kenny Werner, Charles Fambrough, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, New York Voices, Jennifer Holliday, Bob Hurst, John Beasley, Jesca Hoop, Leon Fleisher and Julian Fleisher, and at such notable venues as Birdland (NYC), the Aspen Music Festival, Catalina Jazz Club, Jazz at LACMA, Jazz Bakery, Troubadour, Hotel Cafe and virtually every jazz venue in Los Angeles. Mancini boasts six independently released records under his own name, the latest entitled – Psychobabble.

 ”From New York, vibist Mancini leads his ensemble to the Promised Land.” – James E. Fowler, LA Times

“In from New York City is the Nick Mancini Collective, led by an exploratory young vibraphonist with two toes dipped in tradition who splashes gentle swing, understatedly bent shoogabooga and exotic undersea layerings of filtered light. Original and good.”– Greg Burk, LA Weekly

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Graduating Summa Cum Laude from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, he then began a world-hopping career, performing in concert and on television throughout Europe, North & South America and Asia. Most recently Steve held the position as jazz drumset specialist & utility percussionist with the prestigious Boston Pops Orchestra, and can still be seen on many of their A&E and PBS “Evening at Pops” TV broadcast reruns, some under the baton of film composer and conductor John Williams. Prior to his three-year association with the Pops, he held down the drum chair and was featured as a member of ten-time nominated and two-times Grammy Award winner Peter Nero’s Trio for sixteen years. Some recent performance highlights include Patti Page‘s Grammy Award winning CD for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, “Patti Page – Live at Carnegie Hall”, recording and live performances with some of LA’s world class jazz artists including Bill Watrous, Tom Scott and Pete Christlieb, and a stint with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl for a Henry Mancini tribute. He has worked with over 125 orchestras worldwide, including Chicago, San Francisco, St. Louis, Atlanta, Pittsburgh,Baltimore and the National Symphony.

Prominent jazz artists that Steve has performed, recorded and/or toured with include Mel Torme, Grover Washington, Jr., Doc Severinsen, the Count Basie and Quincy Jones Orchestras, John Pizzarelli, and the New York Voices. He has also collaborated with artists as diverse as Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Diahann Carroll, Vic Damone, Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis, Melissa Manchester, theCanadian Brass, Marvin Hamlisch, the Swingle Singers, Skitch Henderson, Kathie Lee Gifford,Frankie Avalon, Shirley Jones, Jerry Vale, Maureen McGovern, Peabo Bryson, Crystal Gayle,Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Nell Carter, Margaret Whiting, Byron Stripling, Pattie Darcy Jones, TheSmothers Brothers and even The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. TV credits include performances on HBO, CBS, ABC, A&E and PBS, in addition to many jingles and TV/radio spots. In addition, Mr. Pemberton has also had the privilege of performing at the White House for Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush (Sr.), Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford.

Mr. Pemberton also maintains an active professional life where he resides in Los Angeles, as a performer, educator, contractor, composer and arranger. He can be found working on the stages and in the studios of Southern California, being heard on feature films such as “Cinderella Man” (Universal) and“Bewitched” (Sony/Columbia). In addition, Steve still finds time to tour, traveling the world giving concerts and offering clinics for percussion manufacturers Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks & Mallets and REMO Drumheads & Percussion Products. He has been invited as an adjudicator, guest clinician and consultant for various performing arts programs, including the NARAS Grammy in the Schools program and Philadelphia’s “Jazz in the Schools” program, and has been asked to perform at numerous national music conventions and leading music universities.

His skills as a published composer of percussion music have led to his work being premiered and performed at such institutions as the Interlochen Arts Academy, New England Conservatory of Music, University of Miami and the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention (PASIC).

Mr. Pemberton’s musical approach to the drums has been noted in many press reviews. The Washington Post hailed his “show-stopping solo” at the Kennedy Center, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, “Pemberton’s solo was an artistic exploration of timbre and articulation at soft and softer dynamics.” Other reviews have noted “drummer Pemberton maintained interest through all of his turn, exploring every resource of his instrument from rim to skins. He also managed some delicate brush work…”, “Pemberton used effective rhythms, varying tone colors and dynamics to create an enjoyable solo, so unlike most percussionists who rely on maniacal pounding to elicit a reaction from the audience…”, “Pemberton proved to be a percussionist in the mold of Buddy Rich.”

Winter’s Thaw: A Benefit Concert

A mesmerizing and ethereal musical, literary and visual journey from the icy shroud of Winter to the warm rebirth of Spring.

Winter’s Thaw is a multimedia concert weaving, literary, musical and visual arts to feature music written by composers including Eric Whitacre, David Downs, Carole Bayer-Sager,  and Ennio Morricone and made famous by such renowned artists as Josh Grobin, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Celtic Women, Sarah Brightman, Sissel, and King’s Singers. Based on a series of three poems the concert will feature solo, choral, and instrumental performances set to stunning original imagery.

March 11, 2012  7 pm

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104

Artists:

• Stephen Grimm, Conductor
• Maryhelen Halpin, Soprano
• Michelle Mace, Imagery and Lighting Designer

Venue:

• Westminster Presbyterian Church

Beneficiary:

• Elizabeth House

Sponsor:

• Sponsor Name