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Thursday, May 21, 2015

Bill McVail's new EP, Garden Leave



Bill McVail's new EP, Garden Leave, takes an honest look at the road to change - complete with both the fears of leaving the comfortable path behind, as well as the joy and power that comes with discovering that new pathways are there for the taking.  It is a collection of songs that were years in the making, with the "garden leave" providing the platform for their eventual expression.  It is a statement that change is not only possible, but it is essential for a full realization of who we are. 

After 27 years in the investment business, I decided to get off of the hamster wheel that I had been turning, leaving the sausage factory to take a step back and take stock of who I was, where I was, and where I wanted to go next.  The decision was literally years in the making, but recording this record in my basement was very much here-and-now.  Making this record was a journey of complete honesty, reflecting both the fears and rewards that come with going off-road.  It covers a wide range of musical styles, but the message is the same - it is never too late to change your path in life.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

SoulDirection1





SoulDirection1 


My Story: Zaricor Jackson Jr.

Hi! My name is Zaricor but most people call me Sonny. I’ve been singing for quite a while. At one time in my life I was about to sign a lucrative contract. But I backed out of it, never fully understanding why but yet satisfied with my decision. Years later I got saved, became a deacon, sang in the choir, then became a preacher and began to work faithfully in outreach ministry to the less fortunate in Watts, California – a city that I had grown up in. 

I never thought about singing again professionally. I spent most of my time assisting the Pastor and teaching Sunday School. And I was truly happy. I spent a lot of my time encouraging others in the church as well as in the community. A lot of people enjoyed my singing and encouraged me to sing more on Sundays. And sometimes secretly I would think about how nice it would be to sing again professionally. Then I met a woman and invited her to go and minister with me and some friends. That’s when things started to change.

My Story: Lillie Van Buskirk-Jackson

Hi! My name is Lillie. When I was young my mother and I went to church and I was baptized at the age of 8. During the course of life, my mother passed and church just wasn’t really in my life. Thanks to some wonderful Christians, I rededicated my life to the Lord . I started singing in the choir at church and playing hand bells. 

My husband and I sang duets and sometimes trios with his sister at church services. We also had the opportunity to lead worship in several different churches. We were blessed enough to be able to record an album and were looking forward to ministering to small churches across Southern California. Unfortunately the Lord decided it was time for him to go home. I was still interested in continuing to sing, but it seemed so far away. I just continued to stay in church and help lead worship. Then I met a man who invited me to go and minister with some friends. That’s when things started to change.

Our Story:

From the moment we met, it was pure magic. We had an unusual chemistry from the beginning. We started singing together in local churches and the invitations just poured in. We were thankful for that and a little surprised at the same time because our styles were quite a bit different from others on the many programs we were invited to minister. Several years later, that man and woman that met by chance were married.

Little did we know that what we thought was going to be just a singing ministry and singing at different churches would actually be turned into God equipping us for street ministry. So we put aside our music for many years and concentrated on street ministry. We did the street ministry faithfully and it consisted of giving away food and clothing and praying for people's needs in the inner city which we still do. For more details, see our page on street ministry. We finally got a release from God and felt comfortable going back to pursuing our singing ministry which was pushed aside many years ago because of our commitment to the street ministry. We thank God that He has provided us with both ministries to reach out to our community.


We were fortunate enough to meet some influential gospel ministries in Los Angeles that took us under their wing. And we will always be grateful for that. We have been blessed enough to host our own cable program for many years. We also have had the honor for many years of producing and hosting the Gospel Concert for the Watts Summer Festival – which has been an institution for over 45 years. We will always be thankful for the opportunity that was given to us by the late Tommy Jacquette – a towering figure in the community. Then another blessing came in form of a 90 year old lady and community leader, the late Ms. Edna Aliewine and the CEO and founder of the Black Businessman’s Expo – Mr. Harold Hambrick. 

We were asked to produce and host the Gospel Concerts for the day of the Watts-Willowbrook Christmas Parade in 2010 which has been in existence over 45 years. We also received training from Ms. Barbara Stanton of Wattstar on communicating with elected officials regarding components of the parade.


We are licensed ministers of WEA (Western Evangelical Association) in good standing.

Our hearts are still with the less fortunate that we find around us. To be perfectly honest we get as much joy from street ministry as we do from music, so we combine the two. For more on that story, go to our Street Ministry page.

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read our story.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

David Serero


 
French baritone David Serero has received international recognition and critical acclaim from all over the world. At only 31 years old, this fresh performer “born to be on stage” has already given more than 600 concerts and performances throughout the world. Some of those have been broadcast on worldwide TV totalizing an average audience of 30 millions of viewers and 18 millions on radios.
 
Performing on the most prestigious worldwide stages and for the most important occasions, this true SHOW-MAN brings a fresh approach to the Opera world by giving more than 80 concerts per year, during which he brings all his eclectic repertoire (Opera, Broadway, World Music and Theater), resulting as unique shows. He has given concerts at the Opera Garnier Paris, L'Olympia,
 
The Eiffel Tower..the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Budapest Opera conducted by Placido Domingo, concert at the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam...and made his WEST END debuts at the Dominion Theater in London. He has sung more than 20 lead roles in Opera, Operetta and Musical Theater.
 
David Serero has been performing more than 10 parts in Theater and 20 in Films. He organizes several concerts in benefit to charities for which he commits himself on a daily basis and performed for Presidents and biggest world's leaders. He often goes to perform in Hospitals, schools…etc. David Serero has recently performed his signature role of Don Quixote from MAN OF LA MANCHA in Paris.
 
David has received the Prize for Best Interpretation for the role of Don Quixote by the Dale Wasserman Foundation in Los Angeles. November 2012 in Paris, David Serero performed and produced the world premiere of Duke ELLINGTON's only musical: BEGGAR'S HOLIDAY. In January 2013, David Serero has performed with JERMAINE JACKSON the musical "YOU ARE NOT ALONE", a musical written, directed and produced by David Serero.
 
David and Jermaine have recorded a unique version of french classic "Autumn Leaves" (Les Feuilles Mortes) on the album I WISH YOU LOVE directed and produced by David Serero where Jermaine Jackson performs Jazz standards. In June 2013, David presents the 1st edition of the LONDON MUSICAL FILM FESTIVAL at the Bush Hall in London. Mixing styles and genres with all his human and theatrical qualities, David Serero provides unique performances full of dynamism, energy, humor, modernity and his “joie de vivre” to his most important cause: YOU.
David has recently performed for French president Mr NICOLAS SARKOZY

On April 2013, David Serero releases his debut solo album "ALL I CARE ABOUT IS LOVE" with Broadway classic from his famous rendition of "If I were a rich man" from Fiddler on the Roof, french version of "The Quest" from Man of La Mancha (adapted by Jacques Brel), Chicago, Ol' Man River, Mexico (French Operetta), Jazz standards and Russian songs!

Born in Paris in 1981, David Serero started his career in musicals and theater in New-York (where he lived for 3 years). Then in 2002, David Serero discovered Opera. In 2004, he moved to St Petersburg (Russia) to study at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in the Opera and in the Dramatic Theater department.
That same year he made his operatic debut singing Scarpia (Tosca) and Germont (La Traviata). From his acclaimed debut, David received an invitation to be part of the prestigious Young Soloists Academy of the Mariinsky Theater in St Petersburg, Russia, founded by Valery Gergiev and directed by Larissa Gergieva. He became the first "non-Russian" to be part of the Academy.
He has toured in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Russia, USA and Israel. In 2006, David Serero made his European debut singing Escamillo (Carmen), his most signature role, at the Brasov Opera in Romania, staged by Cristian Mihaielescu. David Serero received the high distinction of "Ambassador of the city of Brasov" from the Romanian government for his debut performance. In 2007, he returned to sing the parts of the Four Villains (Tales of Hoffmann) in that same company.
 That same year, David made his U.S debut singing Alfio (Cavalliera Rusticana) & Tonio (I Pagliacci) in Harrisburg, PA. He received critical acclaim for his acting qualities. At 26 years old, David Serero is the youngest French opera singer to make his U.S debut. (Source A.F.P). In 2008, David Serero performed the part of Escamillo (Carmen) at the Livermore Valley Opera (San Francisco, CA) staged by director James Marvel.
Invited by the conductor Richard Beswick (ex-Artistic Director and Producer of the legendary label Decca in London for 20 years), he made his France debut with Doctor Malatesta (Don Pasquale), with the Centre Philharmonic in 2008.

Thanks to the Encouragement Prize that he received from the Bizet Foundation, David Serero performed the part of Zurga (Pearl Fishers) in Romania. During 2009, David Serero performed the roles of Enrico (Lucia di Lammermoor) and Escamillo (Carmen) both in Florida, USA.

Mr Serero has performed the parts of General Boum (La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein / Offenbach) and the Vice-Roi (La Perichole / Offenbach), both for a total of 70 performances.

David Serero participated in the Opéralia competition (founded and directed by legendary tenor Placido Domingo) in Hungary 2009. During this competition, David Serero was featured in a documentary of Placido Domingo broadcast on the National Hungarian TV.

David Serero was chosen to perform the part of Zapata (Le Chanteur de Mexico) for the 50th celebration of the operetta in Nice 2010. David performed the part of Valiente (Andalousie) in Lyon in 2012.

David Serero performed the Premiere of the first Opera in Hebrew "The Dybbuk" by composer Ofer Ben-Amots in Israel in the festival Kfar Blum.This performance was broadcast LIVE on all radios in Israel.

In June 2012, David founded the 1st Paris Film Festival of Musical Film.

July 14th 2012 (Bastille Day), David Serero performed the French and Israeli national anthem for the President of Israel: Mr Shimon Peres.

David Serero performed his most signature role: Don Quixote from Man of La Mancha in Paris at the Theatre des Varietes (March 2012). He has also perfomed it in Deauville (August 2012). For his interpretation, David has received the high distinction Prize of best Cervantes/Don Quixote from the Dale Wasserman Foundation in Los Angeles.
In August 2012, David performed his Deauville Opera & Broadway festival for its 3rd consecutive year.
September 2012, David Serero was the Artistic Director, Arranger and Producer of "I WISH YOU LOVE", the new album of Jermaine JACKSON (Jackson Five member) of Jazz standards. On this album David Serero and Jermaine Jackson performed together a duet on Autumn Leaves (french classic "Les Feuilles Mortes" originally performed by Yves Montand). The video clip of this song was directed and produced by David Serero. He actually chose to shoot it in black & white.
October 2012, David made his debut on WEST END, performing a SOLD OUT concert at the Dominion Theater in London. During his stay, he also performed a show in benefit to the Meir Panim UK charity in London.
November 2012, David performed the title role of BEGGAR'S HOLIDAY, the only Duke Ellington's musical, at the Espace Pierre Cardin in Paris during 6 sold out shows. This musical has never been performed since 1946.
David has directed, arranged and produced the Cast Album Recording in which he also performs the lead part of Happy Mac.
The video clip of "In Between / Tomorrow Mountain" has been released.
In January 2013, David Serero has performed with Jermaine JACKSON  "YOU ARE NOT ALONE", a new musical written, directed and produced by David. This musical was performed in Paris and toured in France during the month of January 2013.
February 2013, David has toured in Israel with concerts in benefit to the WIZO wth concerts in Nethanya, The Jerusalem Music Center..etc.
March 2013, David recorded his debut solo album "ALL I CARE ABOUT IS LOVE".
On May 22nd 2013, David had the honor to perform the French nationa anthem (La Marseillaise) for French president Mr Nicolas SARKOZY during his visit in Netanya, Israel.
Besides singing operatic roles, Mr Serero is quite active in concerts by singing over 80 concertsper year throughout the world.
Among his next performances: Concert at the BUSH HALL in London (June 18th 2013). Concert at the French Embassy in Tel Aviv with the presence of the President of Israel, Mr Shimon Peres (July 14th 2013). Concert in Singapore for the Grand Prix. Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2014. Concerts in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Performances in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv and New York are announced for the 2013/2014 season! Concert in Agadir in September 7th 2013.

Among the recents of 2012/2013: West End debut at the Dominion Theater in London. Gala concert in benefit of Meir Panim in London. Concert at the Allegro in Lyon. Concert in Nethanya and in Jerusalem at the Jerusalem Music Center in benefit to the Wizo. Concert for the liberation of Guilad Shalit with the presence of Guilad Shalit in Paris' City Hall. Concert at the Royal College of Music during the Festival of Russian songs. David performed for French president Mr Nicolas SARKOZY during his visit in Israel on may 22nd 2013.

Among the recents of 2011/2012: Opera Festival at the Theatre of Deauville. Opening night of the Festival in Vonnas. Concert for the European Day of Jewish Culture in Paris. Concert in Tessaloniki at the Archeologic Museum with pianist Cyprien Katsaris. Debut at the ConcertGebouw of Amsterdam. Concerts in New Caledonia and Ile de la Reunion with pianist Gerard Gahnassia. Role of Valiente from Andalousia in Lyon. Concert in Moscow. Concert in Tel Aviv at the Felicja Blumenthal. Concert for the 1st Paris Film Festival of Musical Film. Concert in Lyon, Dijon and Chantilly. Musical show "Sepharade" with writer Eliette Abecassis based on her book. Showcase at Virgin in Nice. Concert at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem for Israeli and Palestinians children. Concert for the Technion.

Among those of 2010/2011: David has given a concert in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Deauville (Normandy) at the Theater of the Casino Lucien Barrière of Deauville. For the 100th anniversary of the French Institute of London, David Serero gave a concert in London. Concert for the European Medical day in Paris. Concert at the Theatre des Varietes in Paris. Russian Tour with popular Russian singers Zarina Maliti and Felix Tsarikati in Moscow, St Petersbourg and Vladikavkaz. Opening season at the Opera du Ranelagh (for which David Serero is the Artistic Director). World Concert Tour with the world renowned Master pianist Cyprien Katsaris at the Opera du Ranelagh. Concerts in Israel at the Felicja Blumental Music Center in Tel-Aviv. Concert at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem for Israelis and Palestinians children. Pre-Opening concert of the Cannes Film festival in Cannes (April 20th 2011). Concert Salle Molière of Lyon (May 16th 2011). Concert in Paris and in Nice in benefit to the Hospitals Hadassah. David Serero performed a concert with two of the most famous singers in Russia: Joseph Kobzon and Zarina Maliti at the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow.

Among those of 2009/2010: Open air Concert for Summer Festival in Paris. Tribute concert for the 50th death anniversary at the Czech Centre in Paris. Concerts for children in Hospitals. David Serero gave more than 30 others concerts in prestigious venues such as: Theatre du Gymnase, L'Alhambra, Salons France-Amerique, Salle Cortot, Theatre Adyar...etc. Concert for the 100th anniversary of the International Women Day in Paris. 2 concerts for "Les Envolées Lyriques" (1st festival dedicated to Opera in Paris). Concert for the year France-Russia 2010 in Paris in the historical location of the Russian Conservatory Sergei Rachmaninov. Concert in Montpellier. Broadway concert in Chantilly. Invited by the Russian star Zarina Maliti, David Serero gave 3 sold out concerts with her in Moscow and Vladikavkaz. This last one was broadcast by the Russian TV for an average of 15 millions of viewers. David Serero gave his annual Gala in benefit to the UNICEF at the Theatre le Ranelagh in Paris. Concert for the French national Music day in Paris. Gala for the Technion. David has performed the French national anthem in front of the Eiffel Tower for 15.000 people.

During 2008/09: Mr Serero has performed a concert for the 80th Anniversary of Anne Frank in Paris with the sponsor of the Embassy of Netherland and Germany. Concert in support of the French-Israeli hostage Guilad Shalit. Gala concert in benefit of the UNICEF in the city hall of Paris with Mr Jean Tiberi (former Mayor of Paris). Opening concert of the Festival of Jewish Cultures at the Grand City Hall of Paris with the sponsor of the Embassy of USA in France. Opera Gala in Florida broadcast to millions of viewers. Dinner Gala at the UNESCO in Paris. Dinner Gala for ministers of French Government. He sung the French National Anthem for the venue in France of the Prime minister of Israel: Mr Benjamin Netanyahou.

David Serero has received the "Excellent distinction” from the Paris Competition Professional Union of Masters of French Singing (UPMCF) in the Superior level and was a finalist of the International competition of Operetta & Musical Theater of Marseille 2010.

In 2009, he funded with his business partner his own production company: David Serero Productions. Producing concerts, Operas, plays, musicals and shows throught the world (over 200 performances produced). In september 2011, David Serero created his own record label.

David Serero is the founder and Artistic Director of the Opera du Ranelagh (a new Opera house in Paris) at the Theatre du Ranelagh in Paris during 2010 and 2011. He is also the Artistic Director and Producer of the Opera Festival from the Group Lucien Barrière of Deauville.

As an actor in Theater plays and Films, David Serero has already performed 10 lead roles in Theater, from T. Williams to Shakespeare, in France and USA. Since 2008, David performed in 19 featured films (check IMDb). In films, David was with Melanie Laurent in "Et Souain..tout le monde me manque" and recently in the up coming film "CZ12", with and directed by Jackie Chan.

Besides his French native tongue, David Serero speaks fluently English, Italian, Russian and Hebrew and sings in Italian, French, English, Russian, Spanish, German, Hebrew, Czech, Armenian, Yiddish and Ladino.

Establishing himself as a "People's Artist", David Serero organizes and participates in several concerts and galas in order to raise funds for Humanitarians organizations throughout the world such as the UNICEF. Like his mentors, David is not content to use music to just entertain people, although he is quite a dynamic performer. He uses music to bring people together, to bridge the gap between the races, and to heal the human heart. David is also an active defender of Human Rights.

David Serero supports strongly the Hadassah hospitals in Jerusalem by performing concerts in benefit to this cause. He has been named President of the Young Hadassah France in 2011.

David Serero is the founder of Forbidden Talents (www.forbiddentalents.com), which promote through series of concerts and events the work of Talents who were forbidden by the Nazi regime. Among them are Weill, Zemlinsky, Ullmann,...etc and Bohuslav Martinu for whom Mr Serero gave the tribute concert for the 50th death anniversary of the Czech composer at the Centre Tchèque in Paris with the support of the Martinu Foundation Prague.

Mr Serero is regularly subject of documentaries and interviews from worldwide different Medias with the aim of promoting Opera and Music to the largest audience. Mr Serero affects others repertoires than Opera such as Jazz standards, Broadway Musicals, Showtunes and World Music.

David studied Jazz Piano at the Bill Evans Piano Academy in 1999 and graduated from the Rimsky Korsakov Conservatory in St Petersburg as an Opera Soloist with the "Honor" mention as well as from the Dramatic Theater department in 2004. David graduated as an actor from the H.B Studio in NYC in 2003.. He has studied voice with Anna Maria Bondi, Jorge Chaminé and Christian Jean (in memoriam). He works with vocal coaches such as Janine Reiss (Vocal Coach of legendary Maria Callas) and Damien Lehman.