Bronson Hoover ~ is a modern day renaissance man. He’s been a sous chef, touring keyboard player, animator, motion graphics artist, broadcast television cameraman, PTA president, bass player, drummer, artist, songwriter, faux finish painter, theatrical technical director, lighting designer, and pit orchestra conductor.
As a jazz pianist Bronson has had the great fortune to learn from the best. Bronson has studied with Dave Kane, George Colligan, Barney McAll, Ron Elliston, and Bill Boublitz. He’s shared the stage with Parliament/Funkadelic, G Love and Special Sauce, and Charlie Hunter to name a few.
Bronson has traveled up and down the east coast playing in a number of regionally successful funk and reggae groups. Locally Bronson has played with some great players like Steve Sachse, Nasar Abadey, Mike Noonan, Walter Cosby, George Jones, Wes Crawford, and Eric Cathcart.
In 1999 Bronson began his career in broadcast television. He started working as a cameraman for Chris Matthews and Tim Russert, and soon moved to graphics playback for Nightline and ABCNews. After taking a course at the Corcoran Design School, Bronson switched to motion graphic design and he hasn’t looked back. Bronson has produced video pieces for the likes of Michelle Obama, the BBC, and Marriott. He’s currently an Adobe Certified Instructor and teaches regularly.
When Bronson isn’t working or practicing, he stays busy tending to his lawn in rural Montgomery County, MD. He has a wonderful wife, two teenage sons and he’ll sleep when he’s dead.
As a jazz pianist Bronson has had the great fortune to learn from the best. Bronson has studied with Dave Kane, George Colligan, Barney McAll, Ron Elliston, and Bill Boublitz. He’s shared the stage with Parliament/Funkadelic, G Love and Special Sauce, and Charlie Hunter to name a few.
Bronson has traveled up and down the east coast playing in a number of regionally successful funk and reggae groups. Locally Bronson has played with some great players like Steve Sachse, Nasar Abadey, Mike Noonan, Walter Cosby, George Jones, Wes Crawford, and Eric Cathcart.
In 1999 Bronson began his career in broadcast television. He started working as a cameraman for Chris Matthews and Tim Russert, and soon moved to graphics playback for Nightline and ABCNews. After taking a course at the Corcoran Design School, Bronson switched to motion graphic design and he hasn’t looked back. Bronson has produced video pieces for the likes of Michelle Obama, the BBC, and Marriott. He’s currently an Adobe Certified Instructor and teaches regularly.
When Bronson isn’t working or practicing, he stays busy tending to his lawn in rural Montgomery County, MD. He has a wonderful wife, two teenage sons and he’ll sleep when he’s dead.
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.
Holly Shockey ~ a native of Potomac, Maryland, grew up performing in musicals and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theater from Syracuse University. Holly spent a number of years performing in local theater, performing such roles as Maria in West Side Story, Christine in Phantom of The Opera, Sister Leo in Nunsense, and Julie Jordan in Carousel, to name just a few.
Highlights of her 20 years of service with The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” Washington, DC, include: female soloist at the 1996 Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, vocalist for President Ford’s 90th birthday celebration at the White House; soloist at the Norwegian Tattoo and a Mideast tour of Afghanistan and Kuwait, performing for our troops. Holly also performed as a backup vocalist for Kenny Rogers, Tom Jones, Martina McBride, Will Smith, Don McLean, Usher, Bono, Foreigner, Kathy Mattea, Wayne Newton, Kenny Loggins, Sylvia McNair and Dolly Parton.
Holly is the lead soprano with the group, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, a Manhattan Transfer type quartet. The group was featured in Nantes, France, at the Nuit du Jazz Festival. The group released their Christmas album, “Fools for Yule” this past year. Without surprise, the album received a high ranking among jazz charts on Amazon Music.
Holly has been teaching voice and performing privately for over 25 years. Currently, she teachers at her home voice studio, Brandywine Music Studios located in North Arlington, Virginia. Holly specializes in teaching vocal technique and coaching students on repertoire. Her passion is to inspire confidence in all of her students through performing and “living the text” of music they are singing. Prior to Covid, Holly held workshops twice a year and ran Glee Club LLC to help elementary students achieve that goal.
Highlights of her 20 years of service with The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” Washington, DC, include: female soloist at the 1996 Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, vocalist for President Ford’s 90th birthday celebration at the White House; soloist at the Norwegian Tattoo and a Mideast tour of Afghanistan and Kuwait, performing for our troops. Holly also performed as a backup vocalist for Kenny Rogers, Tom Jones, Martina McBride, Will Smith, Don McLean, Usher, Bono, Foreigner, Kathy Mattea, Wayne Newton, Kenny Loggins, Sylvia McNair and Dolly Parton.
Holly is the lead soprano with the group, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, a Manhattan Transfer type quartet. The group was featured in Nantes, France, at the Nuit du Jazz Festival. The group released their Christmas album, “Fools for Yule” this past year. Without surprise, the album received a high ranking among jazz charts on Amazon Music.
Holly has been teaching voice and performing privately for over 25 years. Currently, she teachers at her home voice studio, Brandywine Music Studios located in North Arlington, Virginia. Holly specializes in teaching vocal technique and coaching students on repertoire. Her passion is to inspire confidence in all of her students through performing and “living the text” of music they are singing. Prior to Covid, Holly held workshops twice a year and ran Glee Club LLC to help elementary students achieve that goal.
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