The Accidentals-marcia page

Joy Askew ("Lake Calhoun") lives in New York City and is a musician, singer, composer, and arranger who has enjoyed a career both as a solo artist and working alongside other artists and musicians. Her CD releases include "Tender City" (Private Music BMG) and in 2002, "ECHO" (New Line Records) by herself and electronic jazz musician Takuya Nakamura. Echo the band is also featured on the Quincy Jones and Bill Cosby remix album. Joy's successful career playing and singing with a variety of musicians has included Peter Gabriel, Joe Jackson, Laurie Anderson, and Rodney Crowell. (www.joyaskew.com)

Janie Barnett ("On the Water") is as an active session singer, guitarist, producer and songwriter working in films, television, jingles, and on pop records. She has worked alongside artists as varied as Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones, Celine Dion, Marc Cohn, Carly Simon, Patti Austin, Jessica Simpson, Chris Botti, and Kevin Bacon to name but a few. Janie has released three solo recordings, and her songs have been included in several indie anthologies. Janie occasionally joins forces with Margaret Dorn and Terre Roche to perform as the Cronetones. "On the Water" was produced with frequent collaborator Mick Hanson, guitar player, writer and producer extraordinaire. (www.janiebarnett.com)

Richard Barone ("Welcome") "Is there a musician more deserving of the moniker 'Man About Town' than Richard Barone?” wrote The New York Times. Since his early days as leader and founding member of The Bongos, Barone has forged an acclaimed solo career as a consummate writer & performer, producer, an in-demand co-writer/collaborator, as well as musical and theatrical director. Recent productions include his all-star “There’ll Be Another Spring: A Tribute to Miss Peggy Lee,” at a sold-out Carnegie Hall in New York, and the legendary Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Barone is currently recording a new studio album with producer Tony Visconti (Bowie, T.Rex). Richard is also the Director and a soloist for "The Downtown Messiah." -- richardbarone.com

Emily Bindiger, ("Wedding Party") member of The Accidentals, has recorded and/or performed with such diverse artists as Leonard Cohen, Buster Poindexter, Oscar Brand, Neil Sedaka, Ben Vereen, Black 47, Laurie Beechman, and Patti Austin. She has sung on TV, and on movie soundtracks including Woody Allen's "Bullets Over Broadway" and "Everyone Says I Love You", "Donnie Brasco", "The Hudsucker Proxy", "Michael Collins.

Edmund Cionek ("Poem for a Dog") is a New York-based composer, writes for the concert hall and the theatre. He was a 2004 resident artist at Mabou Mines, where his Attack of the 50 Foot Walt Whitman was performed. The Village Voice called his Ed Wood: The Sinister Urge with lyric by Albert Evans “a brilliant comic tribute.” His orchestration projects have included the LA production of I Do! I Do! starring Scott Bakula, and Up, Up and Away: The Life and Songs of Jimmy Webb and Life on Earth at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Cionek is the Composer-in-Residence with the Bar Harbor Music Festival where many of his works have been premiered. (Margaret Dorn, lead vocal)

Dennis Deal ("Lazy God") is a member of The Accidentals. He has also directed his own musical spoof, Nite Club Confidential both off-Broadway and on London's West End. Most recently he produced and arranged a CD for Manhattan Transfer's Cheryl Bentyne. He has also had two movements of his New England Suite premiered by the New Haven Symphony. Dennis has arranged for such as Nell Carter, Johnny Cash, Elaine Stritch, Chita Rivera, Mimi Hines, Barbara Eden, Helen O'Connell and Eddy Arnold.

Kevin DiSimone ("Use Your Head") has played live and/or recorded with such artists as Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Jerry Mulligan, Willie Nelson, Carly Simon, Clark Terry, and Stevie Wonder. Others include: Eddie Arnold, Dierdre Hall, Dudley Moore, Melba Moore, Jane Oliver, Mickey Rooney, and Cybill Shepherd. Along with his own recordings he has also recorded with: Dave Grusin, Carly Simon, Barry Manilow. Kevin Co-wrote and Produced the Top Twenty hit, "He Doesn't Care" for Barry Manilow, as well as "Stay," which reached the Top Ten in Britain. These and other compositions have been recorded by such artists as: The Dells, Ray Goodman and Brown, Hattie Winston, and Sam and Dave.

Margaret Dorn ("Man, Mine") is the producer of and composer/performer on the “Little Noises” CD. She is the leader of The Accidentals, and also a top NYC singer, writer and arranger whose work includes records, commercials, movie soundtracks, industrials, theater, nightclubs and the concert stage. Margaret's songs have been recorded worldwide by artists such as Karen Carpenter and Melba Moore. She has sung with artists including Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Donald Fagen, Michael Bolton, Willie Nelson, Barry Manilow, Taylor Dane, Michael McDonald, Trisha Yearwood, and Diana Ross. Margaret is the choir director and a soloist for “The Downtown Messiah.” She also has two solo CD’s.

Kid Java, aka Bill Ferns, ("Tracking Mud") is leader/harp player for the band Kid Java. He has also performed and recorded with a range of artists including blues legends Lightnin' Hopkins, Otis Rush, and Big Mama Thornton, pop / folk artists Richie Havens and Dave Van Ronk, and contemporary rap performers Melle Mel and Afrika Bambataa. Kid Java has performed with such blues greats as Albert King, Otis Rush, Pinetop Perkins, and Johnny Copeland, as well as performing regularly in NYC-area venues. (www.kid-java.com)

Kate and Lou Giampetruzzi ("Wandering, I Come Upon the Meadow") are musicians and songwriters who have been playing and writing music in varied styles, including traditional and original music. They currently have 7 CD's. Lou is the author of "Contemporary Accordion", a ground breaking survey of folk music accordion styles, published by OAK PUBLICATIONS. (www.kateandlou.com)

Peter Kiesewalter ("Even the Fruit") is co-founder of the East Village Opera Company, whose innovative debut CD, “La Donna,” has recently been released. He is the Music Director and Arranger for "the Downtown Messiah." Peter composes music for film and television (as resident composer at ABC TV), and has played live and in the studio with a number of artists including Dorothy Scott, David Driver, Joseph Mahan, Leona Naess, Sloan Wainwright, and Jane Siberry, whose latest album "Shushan the Palace" features his arrangements and orchestrations. (www.eastvillageoperacompany.com)

Peter Link ("Lena Dreaming") is probably best known for his work as a composer/lyricist. He has won the NY Drama Desk Award for his work in SALVATION, out of which came his first Gold Record, IF YOU LET ME MAKE LOVE TO YOU, THEN WHY CAN'T I TOUCH YOU? which sold over two million records. He is a two-time Tony Award Nominee on Broadway both for his musical score of Joseph Papp's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and for his score for Neil Simon's THE GOOD DOCTOR. He is the creator, composer, director and arranger of THE JENNY BURTON EXPERIENCE.He recently completed writing and producing two new CDs -- one, a cast album of his western musical, Sundown and the other, an inspirational CD for vocalist, Julia Wade.(www.peterlinkcreative.com) (Jenny Burton, lead vocal)

Libby McLaren ("When the Congregation") is an exceptional vocalist and keyboard player. She has toured extensively with the nationally acclaimed recording artists, The Roches. In addition to appearing on the Tonight Show, the Dick Cavett Show and the Late Show, Libby's keyboard, vocal, songwriting and arranging talents have appeared on albums released by Warner Bros., RCA Records, CBS Records and various independent labels. (www.flowerandmclaren.com)

Ann Marie Milazzo ("Little Noises") has been a soloist with “The Downtown Messiah” since its first year, and was a singer and songwriter in the band House Of Red. Among her many recording and touring credits, she has recently been on tour with Angelique Kidjo. She also sang a Stephen Schwartz song for the movie “The Prince of Egypt."

Bill Mitchell ("Knowing You Would Find Me") is a founding member of The Accidentals, an award-winning a cappella group that has performed with artists as varied as Richard Barone, The Chordettes, Petula Clark, David Johansen, Jane Siberry, and Ronnie Spector. He is an accomplished pianist who has accompanied singers since his earliest years. In the past 15 years he has arranged and composed pieces chiefly for The Accidentals. 'Rudiana,' his humorous rendition of 'Rudolf, the Red-nosed Reindeer,' won a CARA award (from the national acappella association). Bill's "Song Cycle" includes five poems, as he was the first person to set Marcia's poems to music, before the idea for the CD had emerged! Here's a clip from one of them:

Christy O’Leary ("Lifted") is one of the top Irish musicians of today. Christy sang with the leading Irish group De Danann, and was then a member of the world-reknowned band Boys of the Lough. He has two of his own cds out, The Northern Bridge, and Song’s Sweet Caress, a cd of traditional and original material recorded with American Bert Deivert. Christy has played and/or recorded with such diverse musicians as John Denver, UK rockers Andy MacKay and Phil Manzanera from Roxy Music , American Celtic singer Connie Dover, and famous Swedish singer/songwriters Björn Afzelius and Roger Pontare. (www.deivert.com/oleary.html)

Del Pedro ("Syncopation, Ocarina, Rue") is a NYC-based rock performer and songwriter whose first full-length CD 'Rock Church' was released this year. In addition to his regular musical pursuits, Del has also co-written the soundtrack for a short film 'Bill's Seat' and sponsored 'Rock 'n' Poets' nights with such luminaries as Charles Simic and Paul Violi. (www.delpedro.com) (Mary Lyon, lead vocal)

Marcia Pelletiere ("I Visited the King") is a singer, songwriter and poet, as well as co-producer and lyricist for the “Little Noises” CD. Marcia is a founding member of The Accidentals, She has also performed with The Brooklyn Philharmonic, the New York Art Ensemble, and many others. As a poet, she has published her work in journals and anthologies including The Southern Poetry Review, Calliope, Quarterly West, and Painted Bride Quarterly. She has received four Individual Writer's Grants from Poets & Writers, and has taught creative writing at many NYC schools, workshops, and arts organizations.

Vernon Reid ("The Mountain") is probably best known as the leader, guitarist and songwriter for the Grammy Award-winning band, Living Colour. He has also collaborated with musicians such as Public Enemy, Mick Jagger, Carlos Santana and the Roots, has produced Grammy-nominated albums by Salief Keita and James "Blood" Ulmer, and composed soundtracks for film, theater, and dance. (www.vernon-reid.com)

Suzzy Roche ("The Black Bag") is known both as a solo artist and as a member of renowned vocal trio The Roches. She has a new CD called “Why the Long Face,” as well as a recent CD project with her sister Maggie, “Zero Church,” a musical collection of 17 non-denominational prayers. (www.roches.com)

Terre Roche, ("My Friend in Herself") of the renowned vocal trio The Roches, is a soloist for “The Downtown Messiah.” She has recorded with artists including Paul Simon, Was Not Was, and Philip Glass. Her most recent solo CD is “The Sound of a Tree Falling.” (www.roches.com)

Catherine Russell, ("Offering") a soloist with “The Downtown Messiah,” has performed and recorded with musical greats from David Bowie, Jackson Browne, Cyndi Lauper, Chaka Khan, Steely Dan, Madonna to Paul Simon.

Rosie Vallese ("Peculiar, Ecstatic") was a member of several Manhattan a cappella quartets and chamber choirs before joining The Accidentals. She has been a featured performer in theaters and clubs in the New York metropolitan area. Some favorite shows have been: Anything Goes (Bonnie), Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Willa), A Little Night Music (Anne), Cole!, and Side By Side By Sondheim.

Jim Vincent ("The World Again") is a singer, composer, arranger, and one of The Accidentals' founding members. He has been an actor, singer and music director for off-off Broadway and children's theater; worked as a vocal coach, music director and arranger for club and cabaret singers; played at The Village Gate, Catch a Rising Star, The Comic Strip, and The Improv. (The Accidentals, vocals)

Gary Wolf ("Vandals") was the lead singer of the Los Angeles rock band Stickball. His theater credits include "Tony 'N Tina's Wedding," "Brighton Beach Memoirs," "Danny & The Deep Blue Sea," and "Fathers and Sons." He appeared on television in the CBS pilot "Can't Hurry Love" and the NBC movie of the week "No One Would Tell." His film credits include "Telling You," "Men," "A Perfect Little Man," "Overnight Delivery," "Firestorm," "Not Like Us," "Back to Hannibal" and "The Grocery Store."

Patti Wyss ("Poem for a Dog") is an actress, session singer, arranger, and orchestrator whose credits include 17 Ben Bagley albums, countless jingle sessions and back-up singing on just about everybody’s CD. She spent many years as arranger/assistant conductor for Country Music legend Eddy Arnold and orchestrator/musical director for Carnival Cruise Lines. She appeared for two seasons on the television show “Damn Right” (Syndicated/PBS). Patti performed in and co-orchestrated Singin’ in the Rain at The Paper Mill Playhouse with director James Rocco. She most recently starred in Edmund Cionek’s Attack of the 50 Foot Walt Whitman at Mabou Mines and his Tri-Sci-Fi: A Chillogy at the Flea Theater, both in NYC. (Margaret Dorn, lead vocal)

MORE MUSICIANS on the CD, as well as others who contributed their time and energy to the project:

Gunnar Backman is a producer, technician, composer, arranger, and musician in Sweden, who has performed internationally in a great variety of styles, from classical to pop, rock, big band, and World music. He plays instruments such as banjo, synths, 6 and 12-string fretted and fretless virtual guitar, 6 and 12-string acoustic guitar, and works with free form music based on sounds and live loops, live samples and live delays. He’s presently working on several studio projects with his groups Tinnitus Therapi Trip and Tors Hammare as well as producing projects for independent bands.

Laure-Anne Bosselaar, whose sultry French whispers grace "It Was Night," grew up in Belgium, and moved to the United States in 1987. Fluent in four languages, she published poems in French and Flemish. She is the author of the The Hour Between Dog and Wolf, and of Small Gods of Grief, which won the Isabella Gardner Prize for Poetry for 2001, both books published by BOA Editions.

Jenny Burton’s show, The Jenny Burton Experience, ran for seven years to sold out audiences at “Don’t Tell Mama.” She has sung at the Gospel Music Awards, and played a recurring role on ABC’s “All My Children.” In the 1980’s Jenny had four number one R & B/Dance hits, and was featured vocalist for C-Bank, whose mega hit, “One More Shot”, rose to Billboard's number five slot. Her first LP, “In Black & White,” (Atlantic Records) included the hit single, “I remember What You Like.” “Bad Habits”, off her second album was a #1 dance hit. She recently performed in a tribute to Harry Belafonte and Don King in New York City and was a featured performer in Black to Broadway at B.B. King’s world famous club.

Ben Butler is a guitarist who has worked with an incredible variety of artists, recording and touring throughout the United States, Europe and Australia. He has also led many projects as a musical director, songwriter and producer.

Bert Deivert grew up in Derry, New Hampshire, and moved to Sweden in 1974 where he embarked on his career as a singer/songwriter. He has had songs covered by other artists, done numerous radio and tv shows, and composed for theatre. Bert has played together with such diverse musicians as singer/songwriter Peter Case, rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson, old-timey legend Tom Paley, blues artist Eric Bibb, and Irish singer/piper Christy O'Leary.

Sohrab Habibion designed the beautiful graphics for the Little Noises CD. Check out his website to see more of his fine work.

The Holmes Brothers are: bassist Sherman Holmes, guitarist/keyboardist Wendell Holmes and drummer Popsy Dixon. The Chicago Tribune called them "...the undisputed masters of blues-based American roots music." They've recorded with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta, Phoebe Snow, Jungle Brothers and Joan Osborne. Their latest CD, "Simple Truths," offers up their signature combination of traditional gospel, blues, and funk.

Phillip Klum brilliantly mastered the "Little Noises" CD. He's the Chief Mastering Engineer for Jigsaw Sound. Phil hails from the music-rich Midwestern city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he grew up to the diverse sounds of Motown, Motor City rock-n-roll and the Detroit and (not-too-distant) Chicago Symphony Orchestras. He lived and worked in Los Angeles before making NYC his home. A published singer/songwriter himself, with a wide variety of musical talent in his family background, Phillip brings a wide musical scope to the mastering session.

Tony Lauria is an accordion and keyboard player, most notably these days with the NYC musical act known as
Spottiswoode and His Enemies. He is also an actor, and has appeared in many Off-Broadway shows. Tony also spends a fair amount of time traveling in Europe playing the accordion.

Mary Lyon is a singer, songwriter, performer and poet living in New York City. She was a founding member of the a cappella quartet LUNATUNE. Quirky original songs, written in collaboration with Composer Lou Shankman were part of a subsequent solo cabaret act. More recently she has written and performed a one-woman show, "Dancing in the Dark." Tap dancing will be featured in her next show!

Chris Pelletiere created the cover collage for the CD. He's a painter, illustrator, and cartoonist, and is currently an associate member of the Blue Mountain Gallery. His work is in many public and private collections including The Metropolitan Museum, The Brooklyn Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, The New York Public Library, Stephen King, Zak Norman, Robert Bloch, and Roald Dahl. Works in publications include cover art for two poetry collections: “Song,” by Brigit Pegeen Kelly, and “Elegy With a Glass of Whiskey,” by Crystal Bacon (both from Boa Publications).

Johnny Rodgers is a singer/songwriter whose highly anticipated debut CD, "Box of Photographs” will be released on the ps classics label in early ’05! Produced by acclaimed artist and producer Richard Barone, and featuring Grammy winner Randy Brecker, the album successfully showcases Johnny’s eclectic songwriting and performing style – seamlessly shifting from jazz to pop to rock, and other destinations – while revealing Johnny’s personality in a cohesive and entertaining song cycle.

Tyley Ross is co-founder of the East Village Opera Company From his star turn as Tommy in Pete Townshend's musical of the same name to mesmerizing performances in Miss Saigon and West Side Story, Tyley Ross has worked with, and performed alongside a veritable who's who of the performing world including artists as diverse as Pete Townshend, Alanis Morissette, Marvin Hamlisch, Claude-Michel Schonberg, Ed Harris, Chita Rivera and Julie Andrews. He has performed in numerous stage productions across Canada and the U.S. including performances at the National Arts Centre, the Shaw and Stratford Festivals, and on Broadway.