Uri Caine, a Philadelphia-born pianist and composer, studied with Bernard Peiffer, George Rochberg, and George Crumb, and early on performed with leading jazz artists such as Philly Joe Jones and Hank Mobley. Since moving to New York in 1985, he has released over 30 albums as a bandleader, ranging from solo piano works to collaborations with ensembles like the Lutosławski Quartet, and is known for innovative reinterpretations of classical composers including Mahler, Wagner, Mozart, Verdi, Schumann, and Bach. His projects span acoustic and electric trios, and he received a Grammy nomination in 2009 for The Othello Syndrome.
Caine’s recent commissions include works for major orchestras such as the Brussels Philharmonic, the SWF Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. He has composed widely for international ensembles, served as Composer in Residence for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and performed his orchestral Diabelli Variations with leading symphonies. He was Director of the Venice Biennale in 2003.
Throughout his career he has collaborated with notable artists across jazz and experimental music, received grants from major U.S. arts institutions, and performed at top jazz and classical festivals worldwide.

Songstress Barbara Walker, with her generous, resounding, vocal cords has always been destined for success at center stage. From her musical beginnings as a 16 year old vocalist singing professionally with her organist father, Bill Walker, this young, dynamic West Philadelphian has always been recognized as an impassioned singer of great promise. She is an entertainer in the truest sense of the word, backed by an incredibly powerful voice; a woman whose performance exemplifies the word “excitement".
Her career has been rich and varied, marked by performances in film, theater and recordings with local and international artists and musicians such as LL Cool J for Island/Def Jam Records. Singing “Here Comes the Morning” in the mega hit movie, ”The Score,” starring Robert DiNero, Marlon Brando, Angela Bassett, and Ken Norton, Barbara made her Hollywood debut.
The American Music Theater Festival had the pleasure of working with Barbara Walker in the stage play tribute to Duke Ellington, “Essentially Ellington,” for which she received rave reviews.
She has toured the country with tenor saxophonist extraordinaire, the late Grover Washington, Jr., Patty LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Herbie Hancock, Diane Schuur, Uri Caine, Diana Krall, Les McCann, Bradford Marsalis, Al Jarreau, Chic Corea, Toots Thielemans, the late Oscar Brown, Jr., Bobby Durham, Nancy Wilson, Celine Dion, Micheal Bolton, Manhattan Transfer, and the late Maynard Ferguson. (Ally Walker)