Lila Mori is a versatile vocal artist, entertainer, and educator extraordinaire. For over 43 years, Lila has actively embraced a vocal career as both a jazz artist and a classical artist, and as a vocal educator. She has appeared as the featured soloist with The Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Colorado Springs Symphony, The Pikes Peak Civic Orchestra, the Broadmoor Pops Orchestra, and The Ken Miller Orchestra. For twenty-four years, audiences have thrilled to Lila’s performances with the Penrose Room Trio and the Ken Miller Trio every Wednesday through Saturday Broadmoor Hotel.

Jana Lee Ross is a musician with a repertoire that blurs the lines between classical music and jazz. She is in demand as a versatile soloist and sideman incorporating Bach, Bebop, Bill Evans, Bjork, and David Bowie into her personalized sound. After spending a not-so-wild youth as a not-quite-starving actress, she decided that she is most at home piloting a piano. That choice has planted her steadily at the honky-tonk upright of the Iron Springs Chateau and the baby grands of the Broadmoor Hotel. You can also catch her with the punk-jazz combo Jana Lee and the Powers That Be.

Michael Reese started playing guitar at the age of ten. He has been established as one of Colorado’s finest guitarists and has earned the honor of opening for guitar luminaries Johnny Winter, Robben Ford, and Steve Morse. Michael was nominated as “Best Guitarist of the Year” at the prestigious Los Angeles Music Awards for his work on his first solo CD. Michael’s second major music endeavor was produced by Santana drummer Michael Shrieve. Their first album was nominated as one of the best ten jazz CDs of the year by Jazz Central Station.

Artist Note: Playing guitar has always been a huge part of my life and I have always enjoyed sharing this gift in hopes of inspiring others to follow their dreams!

George Whitesell has been a staple on the Colorado Springs music scene since moving here from New York in 1972. George’s recording, Pray For Me (I Drive Academy), a novelty song about the woes of driving Academy Boulevard, became a regional hit in 1983. He is most well-known as a solo artist and for the bands, Magic Touch, Something Special, Salt Creek, Hot Wax, Metro Blues, and George Whitesell & His All-Stars. Currently, George enjoys performing solo (guitar and vocal) at private functions, coffee shops, restaurants, art openings, and senior living communities. Playing a wide variety of songs, his repertoire is sure to have something to please everyone.

Craig Walter has performed throughout the United States (from New Jersey to California) and is a familiar presence in Colorado Springs venues. He is a singer, songwriter, and performer who has several records and CDs to his credit. ‘First Stop’, ‘Still Learnin’ How To Fly’, ‘Driftwood Fires’ and the 2021 release ‘Last Chance Café’ are collections of Craig’s original songs. Craig has performed at the Fine Arts Center, the Pikes Peak Center, and at Stargazers tributes over the past several years.

John Spengler started playing guitar nearly fifty years ago, inspired by the likes of Neil Young, James Taylor, John Prine, and Dan Fogelberg. In the mid-’80s, he was the frontman and guitarist for the local band Lip Service for several years before he decided to become a high school science teacher. About six years ago, after 31 years in education, he picked up his guitar again and started writing in earnest.

Bill Snyder is a well-known singer/songwriter who has been performing on the scene for ages. Bill’s show includes his original compositions and draws from a repertoire that includes material spanning 100 years, with creative musical arrangements, fingerstyle guitar, percussive tapping, and live looping that whips up an eclectic musical stew with flavors of blues, jazz, swing, R&B, folk, rock, and country. Bill Snyder is a true crowd pleaser!

blue at Red Gravy, 23 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs Michael Reese started playing guitar at the age of ten. He has been established as one of Colorado’s finest guitarists and has earned the honor of opening for guitar luminaries Johnny Winter, Robben Ford, and Steve Morse. Michael was nominated as “Best Guitarist of the Year” at the prestigious Los Angeles Music Awards for his work on his first solo CD. Michael’s second major music endeavor was produced by Santana drummer Michael Shrieve. Their first album was nominated as one of the best ten jazz CDs of the year by Jazz Central Station.

Artist Note: Playing guitar has always been a huge part of my life and I have always enjoyed sharing this gift in hopes of inspiring others to follow their dreams!

Chad Traxler is a singer/songwriter based in Colorado Springs. Rhythmic, yet introspective, Chad’s style reflects his love of both classic and indie rock. One popular musician described Chad’s lyrics as “beautiful yet bittersweet.” Musical pedigree runs deep in Chad’s Midwestern roots. His cousins, The Carter Family, could always be heard in the Traxler house growing up. (June Carter was Johnny Cash’s wife.) This explains the classic country overtones in Chad’s guitar rhythms. Chad is currently collaborating with Talia Jade, a cellist, and percussionist who recently performed in Carnegie Hall. In addition to Chad’s originals, the duo covers a wide range of genres – rock, pop, country, and Latin – in their own unique, acoustic style.

Sarah Groh is a singer, storyteller, and connector who has enjoyed a flourishing voice studio for 27 years. Sarah created art programs for elementary schools, directed church and community music programs, and collaborated with college students. She has sung extensively with choirs throughout the nation and world. In Colorado, she leads the Sarah Groh Quartet, a jazz combo of amazing local musicians, and enjoys a sweet jazz duo with Jana Lee (piano) that began after their performance at the Artini in 2019.

Jana Lee Ross is a musician with a repertoire that blurs the lines between classical music and jazz. She is in demand as a versatile soloist and sideman incorporating Bach, Bebop, Bill Evans, Bjork, and David Bowie into her personalized sound. After spending a not-so-wild youth as a not-quite-starving actress, she decided that she is most at home piloting a piano. That choice has planted her steadily at the honky-tonk upright of the Iron Springs Chateau and the baby grands of the Broadmoor Hotel. You can also catch her with the punk-jazz combo Jana Lee and the Powers That Be.

The Mélange Duo includes Christina Converse Van Camp on flute and Jeff Wilson on guitar.

Jeff Wilson (guitar) is a middle school choir and band director by day. Wilson has been around Colorado Springs his entire life playing with The Little London Winds, Suga Bear and the Showtime Band, and approximately a zillion other jazz and cover bands.

Christina Converse Van Camp (flute) finds no greater thrill than embracing musical collaboration challenges. Christina performs regularly around southern Colorado with Mélange, Vehicle, The Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band, Bare Bones Trombone Choir, and several area jazz and cover bands.

The Mélange Duo plays Latin and Traditional Jazz tunes with a Twist! https://www.facebook.com/MelangeJazz

BJ Estares is a singer /songwriter who has experienced steady growth in popularity through versatility and creativity in the Pikes Peak Region after taking a 10-year break from music. He earned early honors opening for Ronnie Baker Brooks and with his band Route 61 opening for Tommy Castro and Texas blues-rocker Mike Zito. BJ and Route 61 performed original tunes from their first CD release “Full-Time Student of the Blues” at the Pikes Peak Center’s Studio B Showcase in 2012 and in 2013 performing the “all original” release “Easy Street”. BJ and Route 61 also performed regularly as a house band at Bronco Billy’s Casino in Cripple Creek from 2015 to 2018.

Deryk Cunningham puts on a fun and dynamic show with diverse covers spanning the past 60 years and a handful of unique and heartfelt originals. Upbeat music with stage banter and requests when an audience is looking for it…or something more low-key for a laid-back crowd that wants to socialize, it doesn’t matter what, Deryk is sure to please! With a career spanning over ten years, Deryk has been performing at Prime 25, The Club at Flying Horse, Oskar Blues, SWIRL, Rico’s and Herman’s Hideaway (Denver), and others…as well as private events and functions.

George Whitesell has been a staple on the Colorado Springs music scene since moving here from New York in 1972. George’s recording, Pray For Me (I Drive Academy), a novelty song about the woes of driving Academy Boulevard, became a regional hit in 1983. He is most well-known as a solo artist and for the bands, Magic Touch, Something Special, Salt Creek, Hot Wax, Metro Blues, and George Whitesell & His All-Stars. Currently, George enjoys performing solo (guitar and vocal) at private functions, coffee shops, restaurants, art openings, and senior living communities. Playing a wide variety of songs, his repertoire is sure to have something to please everyone.

FlashBlack is a three-piece vocal group; Monte Black on guitar and vocals with Sherry Black and Brittany Williams singing along. Their repertoire offers everything from Motown to Classic Rock and Country. This fun group pleases audiences with strong three-part harmonies and turns fans into friends everywhere they perform; resulting in a strong following in the Pikes Peak Region. FlashBlack is constantly adding new songs to their show and as a result, requests are welcome. They have opened shows for such notables as Hank Williams Jr., The Kentucky Headhunters, the Forrester Sisters, and more! If you’re looking for awesome vocals and a great time, FlashBlack won’t disappoint!

Craig Walter has performed throughout the United States (from New Jersey to California) and is a familiar presence in Colorado Springs venues. He is a singer, songwriter, and performer who has several records and CDs to his credit. ‘First Stop’, ‘Still Learnin’ How To Fly’, ‘Driftwood Fires’ and the 2021 release ‘Last Chance Café’ are collections of Craig’s original songs. Craig has performed at the Fine Arts Center, the Pikes Peak Center, and at Stargazers tributes over the past several years.

Michael Reese started playing guitar at the age of ten. He has been established as one of Colorado’s finest guitarists and has earned the honor of opening for guitar luminaries Johnny Winter, Robben Ford, and Steve Morse. Michael was nominated as “Best Guitarist of the Year” at the prestigious Los Angeles Music Awards for his work on his first solo CD. Michael’s second major music endeavor was produced by Santana drummer Michael Shrieve. Their first album was nominated as one of the best ten jazz CDs of the year by Jazz Central Station.

Artist Note: Playing guitar has always been a huge part of my life and I have always enjoyed sharing this gift in hopes of inspiring others to follow their dreams!

Bill Snyder is a well-known singer/songwriter who has been performing on the scene for ages. Bill’s show includes his original compositions and draws from a repertoire that includes material spanning 100 years, with creative musical arrangements, fingerstyle guitar, percussive tapping, and live looping that whips up an eclectic musical stew with flavors of blues, jazz, swing, R&B, folk, rock, and country. Bill Snyder is a true crowd pleaser!

Lila Mori is a versatile vocal artist, entertainer, and educator extraordinaire. For over 43 years, Lila has actively embraced a vocal career as both a jazz artist and a classical artist, and as a vocal educator. She has appeared as the featured soloist with The Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Colorado Springs Symphony, The Pikes Peak Civic Orchestra, the Broadmoor Pops Orchestra, and The Ken Miller Orchestra. For twenty-four years, audiences have thrilled to Lila’s performances with the Penrose Room Trio and the Ken Miller Trio every Wednesday through Saturday Broadmoor Hotel.

Jana Lee Ross is a musician with a repertoire that blurs the lines between classical music and jazz. She is in demand as a versatile soloist and sideman incorporating Bach, Bebop, Bill Evans, Bjork, and David Bowie into her personalized sound. After spending a not-so-wild youth as a not-quite-starving actress, she decided that she is most at home piloting a piano. That choice has planted her steadily at the honky-tonk upright of the Iron Springs Chateau and the baby grands of the Broadmoor Hotel. You can also catch her with the punk-jazz combo Jana Lee and the Powers That Be.

Chad Traxler is a singer/songwriter based in Colorado Springs. Rhythmic, yet introspective, Chad’s style reflects his love of both classic and indie rock. One popular musician described Chad’s lyrics as “beautiful yet bittersweet.” Musical pedigree runs deep in Chad’s Midwestern roots. His cousins, The Carter Family, could always be heard in the Traxler house growing up. (June Carter was Johnny Cash’s wife.) This explains the classic country overtones in Chad’s guitar rhythms. Chad is currently collaborating with Talia Jade, a cellist, and percussionist who recently performed in Carnegie Hall. In addition to Chad’s originals, the duo covers a wide range of genres – rock, pop, country, and Latin – in their own unique, acoustic style.

John Spengler started playing guitar nearly fifty years ago, inspired by the likes of Neil Young, James Taylor, John Prine, and Dan Fogelberg. In the mid-’80s, he was the frontman and guitarist for the local band Lip Service for several years before he decided to become a high school science teacher. About six years ago, after 31 years in education, he picked up his guitar again and started writing in earnest.