DEBBIE DUNCAN

Debbie Duncan may be considered the upper Midwest's "best-kept-musical secret", but she has become a local legend and treasure in her home of Minneapolis. Her personality, vitality, and versatility all contribute to that fact. She is a terrific entertainer, and this is certainly part of her appeal. Most importantly, however, "she's a superb vocalist, probably the finest in the area/" [Bob Protzman, St. Paul Pioneer Press]

Debbie hones her skills through years of experience. She studied classical voice for 14 years, including 4 years at Wayne State University. In Detroit she recorded back-up vocals for Mitch Ryder and Bob Seger. She then spent several years in the Los Angeles music scene recording back-up vocals for various artists and performing with her own jazz groups in popular nightclub settings.

MARY LOUISE KNUTSON

Pianist and composer Mary Louise Knutson is one very busy Twin Cities-based jazz artist.  Her debut trio CD "Call Me When You Get There," charted in the Top 50 in the U.S. and Canada for eight consecutive weeks and earned Knutson an award for "Top New Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year" from KWJL radio in California.  Not only is Knutson one of the area's most sought-after pianists, she is an acclaimed composer, having won numerous awards, including two from Billboard magazine for her compositions "How Will I Know?" and "Meridian".  Mary Louise has performed with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves, Slide Hampton, Von Freeman, Richie Cole, and many others. 

Mary Louise was selected as one of five finalists in the 2005 Mary Lou Williams "Women In Jazz" Pianist Competition hosted by the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

MICHAEL MONROE

From vinyl to digital, Michael Monroe is now in his forth decade of performing nationally in concert, festival corporate and educational settings.  His unique creation of music leaves his audiences mesmerized as he blends his rich vocals, guitar, bamboo and glass flutes, combining musical styles of acoustic folk and jazzy reggae.  Michael's original music and compelling energy bring a powerful style that is as much fun as it is innovative,,, music and technology working together powered by creativity... Michael Monroe was awarded a regional Emmy for Musical Composition/Arrangement.  The documentary, "Soaring On Mended Wings" titled after Michael's composition, also won an Emmy!

Composer, arranger and pianist Adi Yeshaya has resided in the Twin Cities since 1988. Born in Israel, he graduated Berklee College of Music (Boston) in 1985.  His credits include arranging assignments for Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Lena Horne, Donny Osmond & Doc Severinsen.

Adi has been involved in many aspects of composition and arranging in the Twin Cities. He has produced numerous CD recordings, served as musical director and arranger for the Minnesota Orchestra Cabaret Pops and composed music for various ensembles, orchestras and TV commercials. He also remains active as a piano player.

BETH YESHAYA

Beth started her professional singing career at the age of 17, when she left Minnesota to start performing at the Mt. Washington Hotel in New Hampshire. Consequently, she moved to nearby Boston, where she met her husband,  Adi Yeshaya and attended Berklee College of Music.

Among her public appearances, she can be spotted in various jazz venues in the Twin Cities, including Dakota, Yvette and the Luxxeford. Some of her performances include singing back up vocals for disco diva Gloria Gaynor and being featured together with vocalists Debbie Duncan and Dennis Spears fronting the Adi Yeshaya Big Band.