SwanRiseProductionsMarcAntoineBrianSimpson070814.doc TUCSON, July 11, 2014 – SwanRise Productions is pleased to announce that it is showcasing two world class talents of the contemporary jazz scene, Marc Antoine and Brian Simpson, this summer in a concert at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa on Saturday, August 2, 2014.  
Marc Antoine, who makes his home today in Spain, was born in Paris (France) on the 28th of May 1963. His parents bought him his first guitar when he was 11 years old which quickly became his third arm . Marc has had a guitar in his hands ever since. At age 13, his father saw such rapid progress that he sent him to the conservatory where he would study classical music. By then his mentors were Andres Segovia and John Williams. At 17 he’d already won many prizes and started showing an interest in a variety of music genres including jazz, rock, world, pop and more. Tragedy struck in the summer of 1981 when his debut career got cut short by a devastating accident to his left hand. The surgeon told him that his chances of playing again were very slim and next to nothing. However, through the adversity, his love and passion for music helped him overcome this tragedy and in 1984 he was back on the scene in Paris, performing in clubs and recording for artists like Charlelie Couture, France Gall, Jill Kaplan, Ray Lema and more. As a true citizen of the world, Marc kept moving, this time to Los Angeles in 1990. He stayed there for 12 years playing for music royalty such as Sting, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Cher, Selena, Queen Latifah, George Benson, Guru Jazzmatazz, Take 6 and others. His career boasts many #1 hits on the R&R contemporary jazz charts, as well as topping the billboard charts while regularly touring with contemporary jazz artists like Dave Koz, Chris Botti, Jeff Lorber, Jeffrey Osborn, Phillipe Saisse, Brian Simpson and others. He also performs or records with jazz Legends such as Peter Erskine, Jimmy Haslip, Mike Mainieri, Dave Valentin, Christian McBride and Mark Egan to name a few. He has received numerous awards and nominations in the U.S. and Canada and Marc was especially honored when George Benson mentioned him as "one of his favorite acoustic guitarists". Celebrated keyboardist, composer and studio musician, Brian Simpson, is known for his ability to sculpt timeless love songs, soulful party anthems and melodies that stay on your mind. Brian is truly a master at his craft. Hailing from Gurnee, Illinois and after graduating from Northern Illinois University, Simpson relocated to Los Angeles where he quickly immersed himself in the local jazz scene. Late night jazz sessions found him playing alongside everyone from saxophonists Everette Harp and Boney James to guitarist Norman Brown. The free-spirited musician soon found himself taking a temporary leave of absence from the jazz scene, touring the world with pop divas Teena Marie, Sheena Easton and Janet Jackson. His foray into the pop world didn’t end there; in January 1991 he co-wrote the #1 Pop hit “The First Time” by Surface, which conquered both the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. Placing his success in pop aside, Brian Simpson has always been a working jazz musician. He has toured with some of the greats of recent jazz history, including George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Larry Carlton, Kirk Whalum, and Jonathan Butler. Brian has been the musical director for jazz saxophonist Dave Koz for the past 15 years, and for the last 8 years the Musical Director, of the highly popular “Smooth Jazz Cruise" featuring Marcus Miller and David Sanborn. In addition to these two great talents, the concert features VIP tables, special hotel rates, discounts at resort outlets, after concert Meet and Greet, and special hotel pricing will also be available for concert attendees who purchase tickets for SwanRise’s annual showcase event, Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve Gala, which takes place at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa on December 31, 2014. The concert begins at 7:30 PM and doors will open at 6:30 PM. More information, including ticket purchases, is available at www.rhythmnights.com. |
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