Maria Martinez, Mary Ekler, Lynn Keller, Angela Carole Brown, Beth Marlis, Janelle Sadler

Who are The Suits?

Let’s get to know each other a little better

When we’re not having fun playing together as “The Suits”, we’ve been busy making music with some people you might know (a tiny sampler)…

Ricky Martin, Keb Mo, David Foster, Natalie Cole, American Idol, Diana Ross, Barry White, Burt Bacharach, Sergio Mendes, Helen Reddy, Louis Bellson, Carol Channing, Rita Coolidge.

Chances are you’ll find us playing in Broadway musicals, TV shows, doing world tours, being musical directors and “sidemen” in concert halls, festivals, recording studios and clubs.

B A  N  D    B  I  O  S __________________________________________

Angela Carole Brown

A n g e l a   C a r o l e   B r o w n 

VOCALS 

Singer and writer Angela Carole Brownhas been a veteran of the L.A. music scene for more than two decades as a vocalist and recording artist.  She has recorded voice-overs, movie cues, jingles, and CDs for herself and with other artists, including on Josh Groban’s hit single “You Raise Me Up”; for South Park’s Matt Stone and Trey Parker; and four CD releases of her own.  

She has worked theatre, clubs, concert halls, television, and radio, in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including the lead in L.A. Music Award’s “2004 Best Rock Opera of the Year” Symphony of the Absurd with Elvis Schoenberg’s Orchestre Surreal and her critically lauded Off-Broadway, one-woman show, The Purple Sleep Café, New York City.  As a writer, Angela’s nonfiction has been published online by The National Kidney Foundation.  Her poetry has won the Heritage Magazine Award.  She is a published novelist, whose debut novel, TRADING FOURS, was released in 2006.

http://www.angelacarolebrown.com

            __________________________________________

Janelle Sadler

J a n e l l e  S a d l e r

VOCALS

During her early years as a talented young performer in Florida, award winning vocalist Janelle Sadler caught the proverbial “first big break” that lead to her gig as a backup singer with pop star Donny Osmond.

She then moved to LA, and has never looked back, having toured the world singing backups behind mega talent Natalie Cole and many others. She has sung and recorded lead vocals for the TV shows Brothers And Sisters, Smallville and can be seen on the small screen in the recent VH1 Classic show Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp.

http://www.janellesadler.com

             __________________________________________

Lynn Keller

L y n n  K e l l e r    

BASS

Lynn Keller is originally from Chicago, Illinois, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of Texas at Austin. Lynn has toured with many artists including Diana Ross, The Fifth Dimension, Michelle Shocked, Oleta Adams, Freda Payne, and has served as Musical Director/bassist for Rita Coolidge, Nell Carter & Simply the Best, and currently for Jackie DeShannon.  

In 2004, Lynn toured as bassist with the 1^st National Touring Company of Little Shop of Horrors.  She has since been the bassist on three world premiere musicals: Sister Act, Mask and Leap of Faith, in addition to playing the opening of Leap of Faith on Broadway, in spring 2012. Lynn played bass for Hollywood Week (2008) on American Idol and has toured with many of the Idols from seasons 1 – 7.  She has performed at Lincoln Center with Alan Menken in a solo concert, and in countless concerts backing artists such as Stevie Wonder, Alan Paul (from the Manhattan Transfer), Lucy Lawless, Olivia-Newton John and Sophie B. Hawkins, just to name a few. Lynn currently teaches in the bachelor’s program at Musicians Institute.

http://www.lynnkeller.com

              __________________________________________

Beth Marlis

B e t h  M a r l i s  

GUITAR

While working her way up the musical food chain, versatile guitarist Beth Marlis has performed with a wide range of artists, including Harold Land, Brownie McGee, Helen Reddy and Louis Bellson. She maintains an active schedule as a freelance guitarist on stage, in clubs, tv and film.

She holds a Masters degree in Music from USC in Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance, and has co-authored two best-selling instructional books and DVDs for Hal Leonard/MI Press (Guitar Soloing and Advanced Guitar Soloing). She also serves as a Vice President at Musicians Institute (where she’s been on the guitar faculty since 1987), Executive Director of The Musicians Foundation and Vice Chair for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

http://www.bethmarlis.com

               __________________________________________

Mary Ekler

M a r y  E k l e r    

KEYBOARDS, PIANO

Mary Ekler has performed in various musical capacities around the globe. She serves as musical director, pianist, and arranger for Rita Coolidge, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Wilson Phillips, Helen Reddy, Stefanie Powers, Michele Lee, Phantom’s Leading Ladies, Dee Dee Sharp, Freda Payne, amongst others. Mary was a pianist and arranger on American Idol Season 10 and Season 11. She can also be seen as pianist and Music Director on many of the PBS Doo Wop specials.  She has served as musical director for more than a dozen theatrical productionsat venues such as The Ford Theatre, The El Portal Theatre, Musical Theatre Guild, San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, and many others.

An award winning songwriter, Mary’s compositions have been performed and recorded by Sergio Mendes, Glenn Yarbrough, Helen Reddy, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Deniece Williams and Cheryl Barnes. She has composed music for the television series Matlock and for numerous feature films. In addition, Mary wrote the United States theme song for “Million Minutes for Peace” performing it at the United Nations, St. John’s Cathedral and the Hollywood Bowl. 

http://www.maryekler.com/

            __________________________________________

Maria Martinez

M a r i a  M a r t i n e z    

DRUMS

Respected drummer, percussionist, clinician and educator, Maria Martinez is originally from Camaguey, Cuba and was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has performed with such artists as Maia Sharp, El Chicano, Rita Coolidge, Trini Lopez, Angela Bofill, Klymaxx, Emmanuel, Barry White, Nell Carter and Johnny Paycheck. Television and recording appearances include The Jessica Simpson Christmas Show, Perfect Couples, The Late Show, The Drew Carey Show, Dukes of Hazzard, No Borders CD, Soul Train and many others.

In addition to being an in-demand clinician, Martinez is the author of several educational books and DVDs published by Hal Leonard.

C O N T A C T   U S

_____________________________  redshooz@me.com

Join the jazz party in a thrilling night of entertainment when seven women jazz musicians hit the stage like melodic volcanoes. Special guest MAYSA from Incognito and JAZZ IN PINK group violinist KAREN BRIGGS, flutist ALTHEA RENE, keyboardist GAIL JOHNSON, guitarist DARLENE MORENO, bassist LYNN KELLER and drummer POCKETT posses class, sass and style running the jazz musical marathon from traditional to smooth to contemporary jazz sounds!

This tour de force concert is a wonderful night of music. If you enjoyed 3 Mo’ Tenors then you’ll love 7 Mo’ Divas! Hosted by Board Members Beverly Bolden, Annette Williams and Gwen Hunt and TBAAL Women’s Guild.

Dallas Convention Center Complex, 650 South Griffin St, Dallas, Texas 75202

Saturday, February 04, 2012 – 8:00 pm