Jonathan Karrant was born in the heart of America at the foothills of the Ozarks in the old western town of Fort Smith, Arkansas east of the Arkansas River. Audiences have characterized Jonathan as a great interpreter of song, a storyteller, a singer who brings music and lyric alive. Some refer to Jonathan as an amazing song-stylist who sings from the American songbook, an entertainer of star quality. Others say he paints a picture, he presents a mood and captivates a room through song. Jazz Corner said “Karrant’s voice is romantic without being cloying, warm but not forced” and “that he sings standards with an emotional weight that make it seem as if he had written the songs himself”. He will tell you that he loves people, loves connecting with other musicians and with his audience, and loves sharing time with those who also love to celebrate life and music. Jonathan’s album “On and On” hit to number four in the jazz charts. The album features such songs as “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” and “Doodlin’”, as well as the title track, and was produced by Tyler Monks, with pianist Josh Nelson, bassist Rob Thorsen, guitarist Mark Shapiro, and drummer Duncan Moore. Jonathan was honored in the 2014 New York City Jazz Cabaret Honors and, in 2015, he was voted “Best Singer” for the Bravo San Diego Awards. Also, in 2015 Jonathan was asked to present two-time Grammy Award winner, Diane Schuur, with the proclamation of “Diane Schuur Day” in Palm Springs, Ca.

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Vocalist Alexis Cole is an accomplished jazz performer with a sophisticated, urbane style and warm, resonant voice, well suited to traditional standards and swing. Cole has performed with the likes of Fred Hersch, Bucky Pizzarelli, Don Braden and Matt Wilson. Although based in N.Y.C., she has played and taught in locales worldwide, including teaching at an affiliate of the Berklee College of Music in Ecuador and as a faculty member in the jazz voice programs at SUNY Purchase, William Paterson University and Western Connecticut State. From 2009 to 2015, Cole enlisted in the Army and was the vocalist with the West Point Band’s big band The Jazz Knights. Her 2021 release Sky Blossom: Songs From My Tour of Duty on Zoho, collated the arrangements written for her by Jazz Knights music director Scott Arcangel.

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Music has always been a major part of Dana’s life. Playing classical piano since the age of 6 and studying classical voice since the age of 13, she has gained a respect and understanding for all different types of music. Having a mother who loved jazz her whole life, Dana has been heavily influenced by jazz since she was young. At the age of 13 she began to take jazz piano lessons which furthered knowledge of the technical aspects of jazz. Dana has also studied at the Litchfield Jazz Festival Summer Institute where she had the opportunity to work with great teachers who helped her explore her style, as well as meeting great artists who have had a major impact on her career. As well as vocalists, instrumentalists have had a huge impact on her vocal style, making it pure and original yet true to the style of jazz. This year Dana was recognized by the NFAA Talent Search, placing in the top 10 percent nationally. At the 2006 Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival Dana was awarded Judge’s Choice for piano and vocal within her group. She also received the overall Outstanding Vocalist award.

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The recipient of the Creativity Award in Music from the Salem State Center for the Arts, Abrianna Madden makes her Connecticut debut. Abrianna hails from Salem Mass and is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She has been the recipient of numerous scholarships while a student at SSU including the Tim Cook Scholarship, American Legion Scholarship, John Finnegan Scholarship, and the SSU Presidential Arts Scholarship. Abrianna has been a Dean's list student every semester. She has been involved in multiple student music ensembles including chamber singers and improv ensemble. Abrianna has performed at off campus at various events, including Salem's So Sweet. She looks forward to graduate studies in jazz performance.