Harry Appleman ~ Jazz pianist and educator Harry Appelman has performed on concert stages on five continents. He has been chosen three times to participate in U.S. State Department music tours overseas — to South and Central America, Eastern Europe, Turkey and Cyprus, and South Asia. He performed in Egypt in February 2008 with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and has performed at the Festival Gnaouas et Musiques du Monde in Essaouira, Morocco and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Mr. Appelman is a member of Afro Bop Alliance, winners of a 2008 Latin Grammy, and has contributed several arrangements to the group's recordings. He has toured the United States and Canada with the Woody Herman Orchestra and the Artie Shaw Orchestra.
A recipient of a 2012 Maryland State Arts Council Award for composition, he was a finalist in both the 1987 and 1988 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competitions (finishing second in 1988) and one of three prizewinners in the 1989 Great American Jazz Piano Competition. Appelman has performed in small groups led by Conrad Herwig, Eddie Daniels, Gary Thomas, Drew Gress, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Jim Snidero, Brian Lynch, Don Braden, and Walt Weiskopf, among others. He has had long-term musical associations with such non-Western musicians as Afghani vocalist/harmonium virtuoso Humayun Khan and tabla player Broto Roy.
Mr. Appelman was named in Washingtonian magazine's February 2003 "Great Music" issue as one of the D.C. area's best jazz artists. He currently performs in the area at Blues Alley, the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Twins, and other popular jazz venues.
Appelman leads the latin jazz group Duende Quartet, and has played frequently with Palmetto recording artists Rumba Club. He has performed in concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Darren Atwater, and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra with guest soloist Branford Marsalis. He has also resided and performed in Boston and New York City — where he played with numerous creative and respected groups, ranging from trumpeter Scott Wendholt's quartet to vocalist Dakota Staton's trio.
A native of the Chicago area, Appelman began his classical music training in the first grade, later turning to the fusion and rock idioms and ultimately to jazz. After graduating with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Illinois — where he was honored as a Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude — he went on to earn a Master of Music degree with Distinction from the New England Conservatory
A recipient of a 2012 Maryland State Arts Council Award for composition, he was a finalist in both the 1987 and 1988 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competitions (finishing second in 1988) and one of three prizewinners in the 1989 Great American Jazz Piano Competition. Appelman has performed in small groups led by Conrad Herwig, Eddie Daniels, Gary Thomas, Drew Gress, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Jim Snidero, Brian Lynch, Don Braden, and Walt Weiskopf, among others. He has had long-term musical associations with such non-Western musicians as Afghani vocalist/harmonium virtuoso Humayun Khan and tabla player Broto Roy.
Mr. Appelman was named in Washingtonian magazine's February 2003 "Great Music" issue as one of the D.C. area's best jazz artists. He currently performs in the area at Blues Alley, the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Twins, and other popular jazz venues.
Appelman leads the latin jazz group Duende Quartet, and has played frequently with Palmetto recording artists Rumba Club. He has performed in concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Darren Atwater, and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra with guest soloist Branford Marsalis. He has also resided and performed in Boston and New York City — where he played with numerous creative and respected groups, ranging from trumpeter Scott Wendholt's quartet to vocalist Dakota Staton's trio.
A native of the Chicago area, Appelman began his classical music training in the first grade, later turning to the fusion and rock idioms and ultimately to jazz. After graduating with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Illinois — where he was honored as a Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude — he went on to earn a Master of Music degree with Distinction from the New England Conservatory
Craig Gildner ~ A dynamic guitarist, pianist and male vocalist blessed with perfect pitch. His love affair with Jazz and with the Beatles started very early in life and passion for both continues. The Jazz bug hit Craig for good in 1986 while a DJ at a local jazz station in his hometown of Elkhart, Indiana.
Craig moved to D.C. in 1991 to pursue a future in audio recording. Two years later, a performance by the Tom Cunningham Orchestra at a Middleburg, Virginia wine festival presented him with an unexpected opportunity to join the band as pianist, vocalist and occasionally guitar.
Craig formed Blue Sky 5 in 1999 with musician friends who frequent the swing scene’s dance floor. The quintet became an instant hit on the D.C. and Baltimore swing dance scenes.
In addition to Blue Sky 5 and the Tom Cunningham Orchestra, Craig has had the pleasure of performing with regional and national swing artists, such as Bill Elliott, Paul Cosentino, Casey MacGill, Big Joe Maher, and Johnathan Stout. He formed The Greg Gildner Trio with James Fowler and James Herron. Craig also often plays with Brazilian guitarist Beto Rodriguez.
When not hunched over his Baldwin upright working out an arrangement, Craig enjoys the pursuit of refining his dance style a la Dean Collins, cycling, cooking, collecting old movies, and adding items to his arsenal of vintage clothing.
Craig moved to D.C. in 1991 to pursue a future in audio recording. Two years later, a performance by the Tom Cunningham Orchestra at a Middleburg, Virginia wine festival presented him with an unexpected opportunity to join the band as pianist, vocalist and occasionally guitar.
Craig formed Blue Sky 5 in 1999 with musician friends who frequent the swing scene’s dance floor. The quintet became an instant hit on the D.C. and Baltimore swing dance scenes.
In addition to Blue Sky 5 and the Tom Cunningham Orchestra, Craig has had the pleasure of performing with regional and national swing artists, such as Bill Elliott, Paul Cosentino, Casey MacGill, Big Joe Maher, and Johnathan Stout. He formed The Greg Gildner Trio with James Fowler and James Herron. Craig also often plays with Brazilian guitarist Beto Rodriguez.
When not hunched over his Baldwin upright working out an arrangement, Craig enjoys the pursuit of refining his dance style a la Dean Collins, cycling, cooking, collecting old movies, and adding items to his arsenal of vintage clothing.
Cyndy Elliott ~ A life-long resident of the Washington DC area, Cyndy Elliott currently works as a freelance bassist, performing many different styles of music in big bands, small combos, orchestras and chamber ensembles. Cyndy is the co-leader of Swingtopia, a jazz octet. She has performed at many of the major venues in DC, including the Atlas Theatre, Bethesda Blues and Jazz, Blues Alley, Bohemian Caverns, Twins Jazz, and the Terrace Theatre, Millennium Stage, and Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center.
Cyndy has had the honor of working with several renowned musicians from the big band era, including Tex Beneke, Ray Anthony, and Maxine Andrews, and two of the original Mills Brothers, in addition to doing short tours with current versions of the Artie Shaw, Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey, Sammy Kaye, and Les Brown orchestras. Locally she has enjoyed working off and on for many years with the Tom Cunningham Orchestra and the Hank Levy Legacy Band, among many others.
Cyndy spent a number of years “on the road” touring with the big band show “In the Mood” and the Broadway musical “Meet Me in Saint Louis.” She did residencies in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts playing bass and piano with the all-women “Swingtime Canteen” show, in addition to being a frequent sub during its off-Broadway run. Cruise ship work took her to the Caribbean, Central America, and all over Europe. She toured Australia and New Zealand with a jazz trombone ensemble and performed in nine cities throughout China with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony.
Cyndy earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Maryland in 2009. As a graduate assistant she directed a number of ensembles and taught beginning jazz theory and improvisation. Cyndy received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Converse College. She had a 25 year career as a piano teacher and adjudicator with many award-winning students at the state and local level and earned permanent certification. In addition, she taught theory, ear training, piano, and voice in pre-college programs at Converse College, American University, and Montgomery College.
Cyndy has had the honor of working with several renowned musicians from the big band era, including Tex Beneke, Ray Anthony, and Maxine Andrews, and two of the original Mills Brothers, in addition to doing short tours with current versions of the Artie Shaw, Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey, Sammy Kaye, and Les Brown orchestras. Locally she has enjoyed working off and on for many years with the Tom Cunningham Orchestra and the Hank Levy Legacy Band, among many others.
Cyndy spent a number of years “on the road” touring with the big band show “In the Mood” and the Broadway musical “Meet Me in Saint Louis.” She did residencies in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts playing bass and piano with the all-women “Swingtime Canteen” show, in addition to being a frequent sub during its off-Broadway run. Cruise ship work took her to the Caribbean, Central America, and all over Europe. She toured Australia and New Zealand with a jazz trombone ensemble and performed in nine cities throughout China with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony.
Cyndy earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Maryland in 2009. As a graduate assistant she directed a number of ensembles and taught beginning jazz theory and improvisation. Cyndy received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Converse College. She had a 25 year career as a piano teacher and adjudicator with many award-winning students at the state and local level and earned permanent certification. In addition, she taught theory, ear training, piano, and voice in pre-college programs at Converse College, American University, and Montgomery College.
James Herron ~ An accomplished jazz drummer and percussionist from Washington, D.C. and founder of The Abbey Road Jazz Ensemble.
James Herron began studying drums at age 11. He was humbled to have years of study with the late Bill Reichenbach (Drummer for Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd). James graduated from Charles W. Woodward High School and continued his studies at Montgomery College receiving awards in music . He performed with the Montgomery County Orchestra and Jazz Band.
James performed frequently in the DC area with The Craig Gildner Trio, The Arch Thompson Jazz Quartet, The Captones, and as a guest drummer. He accompanies many renowned musicians including Dick Durham, Wayne Wilentz, Jonathan Epley, Ed Morgret, Amy Shook, Max Murray, James Fowler, Neil Lewis, Pepe Gonzalez, Blake Cramer.
James Herron is an award winning Voice Actor. He provides narration worldwide for multiple TV series, Film, Documentaries, Public Television programming, and works regularly with some of the nation's most revered advertising agencies and motion picture studios. James works from his home studio in addition to the nation' s finest recording and production facilities.
Awards include ~ 2016 Cannes Film Festival Award - Telly Awards 2008-2016 -2021 - Equus Award 2016
James Herron began studying drums at age 11. He was humbled to have years of study with the late Bill Reichenbach (Drummer for Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd). James graduated from Charles W. Woodward High School and continued his studies at Montgomery College receiving awards in music . He performed with the Montgomery County Orchestra and Jazz Band.
James performed frequently in the DC area with The Craig Gildner Trio, The Arch Thompson Jazz Quartet, The Captones, and as a guest drummer. He accompanies many renowned musicians including Dick Durham, Wayne Wilentz, Jonathan Epley, Ed Morgret, Amy Shook, Max Murray, James Fowler, Neil Lewis, Pepe Gonzalez, Blake Cramer.
James Herron is an award winning Voice Actor. He provides narration worldwide for multiple TV series, Film, Documentaries, Public Television programming, and works regularly with some of the nation's most revered advertising agencies and motion picture studios. James works from his home studio in addition to the nation' s finest recording and production facilities.
Awards include ~ 2016 Cannes Film Festival Award - Telly Awards 2008-2016 -2021 - Equus Award 2016