An award-winning singer/songwriter and pianist, continues to wow audiences and prove that he is the real deal. He is a gifted self-taught musician who excels in jazz, pop, and soul, as demonstrated by his expert writing and arranging skills on his critically acclaimed self-titled debut album of 2009. That same year, Matt won (by unanimous vote) the John Lennon Songwriting Contest’s top annual prize – the Maxell Song of the Year – for his jazz ballad “One of Those Nights”. That song also won the Billboard Songwriting Award in the Best Jazz Song category, and came in second in the International Songwriting Competition, as well as being nominated for a 2011 Los Angeles Music Award for “Best Male Vocalist” and “Best Jazz Song”. Matt attended Berklee College of Music, where he performed in the exclusive “Singer Showcase”, which highlights the school’s top eight singers. He cites many musical influences, such as James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Djavan, Miles Davis, and John Mayer, just to name a few. Even more impressive is the list of artists he has performed with, including Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, the Roots, Babyface, Christina Aguilera, and Livingston Taylor. Matt has been working and touring with his mentor and friend, Brian McKnight for the past several years. He also performs regularly with Javier Colon, the 2011 winner of the hit NBC show “The Voice”. Matt performed with both Javier and Cee Lo Green for the 2011 Rockefeller Tree Lighting show. Javier sings the soulful duet “Same Old Song” on Matt’s debut album, and Matt is a featured pianist on Javier’s upcoming album with Universal Records. Matt is a three-time “Amateur Night at The Apollo” winner, has performed with Brian McKnight on “Live with Regis and Kelly”, and was a musical guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ABC’s “The View”, and Bravo’s “Millionaire Matchmaker”. He was a featured performer on the international “Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror” tour in 2010. Perhaps more inspiring is his constant effort to share his talent by supporting various charities, such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Songs of Love, Defenders for Children, Hillcrest Educational Center, and Community Resources for People With Autism, as well as his local food pantry. It has always been in Matt’s nature to give back, and although Matt has performed all over the world, he remains very close to his family and friends in his hometown of Pittsfield, MA. What was your first instrument? What is your current obsession? One word description of yourself Matt Cusson In the short time since her graduation from Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music, singer-songwriter Liz Longley has assembled quite an impressive resume. While best known for her stop-you-in-your-tracks voice, Liz has quickly built a reputation as an accomplished songwriter, crafting intimately personal portraits through her music. Liz’s ever expanding fan base is not the only group to acknowledge her talent. In 2010 alone, Liz took home top prizes at some of the most prestigious songwriting competitions in the country; the BMI John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship Competition, the International Acoustic Music Awards and the Chris Austn Songwriting Contest. While she has frequently opened shows for established artists such as Mindy Smith, Nanci Griffith, Paula Cole, Livingston Taylor, Amos Lee, Shawn Colvin, Colin Hay and America, it is becoming clear that Liz is coming into her own as a performer. The Washington Post declared that she is “destined to a bigger audience,” Dig Boston called her “a rising acoustic sensation” and even John Mayer is a fan, calling her music “gorgeous, just gorgeous.” Most recently, executives at Sirius XM caught wind of Liz’s cover of Van Morrison’s hit “Moondance” and added it into regular rotation, along with her award-winning original song, “When You’ve Got Trouble.” They even invited her to perform live in their studios – not too shabby for a recent college grad. Liz may blush at the mention of her many accomplishments, but, if the last year is any indication, the momentum won’t be slowing anytime soon. Liz is currently touring the country in support of her most recent album, Hot Loose Wire, and preparing for a move to Nashville, TN where she hopes to write and record with some of the best in the business. What was your first instrument? What is your current obsession? One word description of yourself Videos: Liz Longley Born and Raised in London, Ontario, Ken Yates holds true to his roots as a Canadian singer/songwriter by following the influence of such folk stars as Neil Young. Self described first and foremost as a guitar player, Yates reaches out to his fans by crafting rhythmic guitar arrangements blended seamlessly with melodies that transport his listeners into the world of his lyrics. A recent graduate from Berklee College of Music in Boston, his debut CD, “The Backseat EP” has been grabbing the attention of listeners worldwide, most notably from John Mayer who recently blogged about the up and coming singer/songwriter’s song “I Don’t Wanna Fall In Love”. Artist Questions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E02TF9UUAE
Julia Easterlin is a vocalist, songwriter and performer from Augusta, Georgia. As a secondary student, Julia attended Davidson Fine Arts School where she received training in dance, classical piano, acting and visual arts, until committing to studies as a vocalist in 2005. Since then, Julia’s talents as a performer and songwriter have been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, The Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles, Downbeat Magazine, The John Lennon Foundation and the TEDxWomen Organization. Most recently, this Berklee College of Music grad performed at Lollapalooza and was recognized by the Improper Bostonian as an “Act to Watch”. Questions: First instrument – Voice! (It’s attached to my body. Easy access.) My first external instrument was piano. current obsession: Thumbing through design and architecture magazines. I love bold shapes and colors, and I’m inspired by the photographs in design periodicals. I have a recurring dream in which I live in a huge white room with enormous windows and high ceilings, and I’m hanging a massive red glowing sphere from the rafters. one word: Is the word “human” a good enough answer? I like it. “Human.” "No singer-songwriter makes electronics come across with more straightforward, organic verve than Julia Easterlin. She’s made a name for herself in Boston — as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, singer, and electronic-music brainiac. Easterlin’s ability to build a song with loops as she sings and strums would be nothing more than a stunt if not for her rigorous compositional focus — and charisma. " - The Boston Phoenix
Test Song Title
Matt Cusson
My Voice
Macaroni & Cheese
Happy
Twitter: @MattCusson
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Liz Longley
Piano! My grandmother found a free upright piano at a house sale and that day, it was in our house. My parents signed me up for piano lessons and I stomped my feet. I wanted nothing to do with it! Fifteen years later, that piano sits in my parents house… right where I wrote my first song and fell in love with music.
Eating healthy and taking care of myself. In January, I was in a serious car accident. Because of my injuries, I haven’t been able to run (which was a previous obsession). Now I’m focusing on nurturing my body to the best of my ability until I can hit the pavement again.
Human
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Twitter: @Liz_Longley
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Ken Yates
Seth Glier
Julia Easterlin
New Noise
The place for emerging artists through the lens of Livingston Taylor
Matt Cusson
Liz Longley
Ken Yates
Seth Glier
Julia Easterlin
