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Bill Cantos
Performance of the Month

The music and lyrics of Bill Cantos have been recorded by artists spanning the worlds of pop, jazz, theater, gospel, and world music: Ramsey Lewis, Lea Salonga, Patti Austin, Brenda Russell, Herb Alpert, Cheryl Bentyne, The Imperials, Flora Purim, Clay Crosse, Helen Baylor, Mark Winkler, and many others.

Since 2008, Bill has collaborated live and in the recording studio with Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, contributing to six albums. He also performs regularly with Burt Bacharach as keyboardist and featured vocalist. He was a backing vocalist on three world tours with Phil Collins and has also toured with Diane Schuur, David Foster, Deniece Williams, Debby Boone, Freddie Hubbard, Vikki Carr, and Rita Coolidge; and has recorded with artists such as Elton John, Leon Russell, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, Bob Dylan, Brian Bromberg, Jay Graydon, Andrae Crouch, Clint Black, and Kirk Whalum.

He also has a deep love for Brazilian music, and has worked extensively with some of Brazil’s best-known artists, including Dori Caymmi, Sergio Mendes, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, and Gal Costa. In addition, he has produced albums for Lisa Ono, Steve Amerson, Tony Guerrero, Deniece Williams, and Lillias White.

​Bill has recorded six solo CDs; his Love Wins: New Standards for the New Millennium is a collection of original songs written in the style of classic jazz standards.



This performance was originally recorded live on July 29, 2021, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.

Photo courtesy of Dirk Bolle

Roberto Plano
Newport Music Festival

The 47th Annual Newport Music Festival welcomed the return of talented, award-winning, Italian pianist Roberto Plano.

Featuring works by Scriabin, Debussy, Say, Brahms, Liszt and Ginastera, this Newport Music Festival veteran and exceptional artist delivers a sensational performance. Enjoy Plano’s concert from one of the Newport Preservation Society’s historic Newport Mansions and most beautiful venues, The Breakers.



This uncut, unedited performance was originally recorded on July 14, 2015. at the Newport Music Festival in Newport, RI.

Geoffrey Keezer with Gillian Margot

With his highly regarded discography, unique compositions, and acclaimed performances in a variety of configurations, multiple GRAMMY-nominated pianist Geoffrey Keezer commands the attention typically reserved for the living legends of jazz. A native of Eau Claire, WI, Keezer was playing in jazz clubs as a teenager, holding down the piano chair for Art Blakey at age 18, and touring in the company of Ray Brown, Joshua Redman, Diana Krall, Art Farmer, Benny Golson and Barbara Hendricks in his 20s. More recently he has toured with Wayne Shorter, Dianne Reeves, David Sanborn, Chris Botti, Sting, Joe Locke and Christian McBride; produced and arranged three GRAMMY-nominated recordings with vocalist Denise Donatelli, and released a series of albums drawing influences from Hawaiian, Okinawan and Afro-Peruvian folk traditions.

His 2009 album Áurea was nominated for a Best Latin Jazz Album GRAMMY award. Geoffrey’s 2013 solo piano release Heart of the Piano, seeks to redefine solo jazz piano as a personal and interactive showcase of melody, energy and groove, while his 2018 album On My Way to You is a stunning new set of music featuring his working trio with the addition of guest vocalist Gillian Margot.

Geoffrey’s compositions have been commissioned by the Mainly Mozart Festival, Art of Elán ensemble, Saint Joseph Ballet, Zeltsman Marimba Festival, Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra and Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. His music can be heard in the films What Happens in Vegas and Inhale, and in numerous TV shows.

In this performance, he is joined by vocalist Gillian Margot, who feels equally at home in the musical worlds of jazz, R&B, and pop.



This performance was originally recorded on August 6, 2016, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.

New! Artist's Studio
with John Proulx

His piano playing is hot and swinging, and his voice recalls the smooth, mellow sounds of a young Chet Baker. GRAMMY-winning composer, singer, pianist, and recording artist, John Proulx's latest CD Say It features Chuck Berghofer, Joe LaBarbera, Larry Koonse, Bob Sheppard, a duet with Melissa Manchester, and three string-quartet arrangements by Alan Broadbent. In addition to touring with his own trio, John has performed with the likes of Anita O'Day, Natalie Cole, Melissa Manchester, and Marian McPartland.

John began his formal musical education at the age of three on violin, but quickly switched to classical piano lessons. His late grandfather, Clyde Proulx, was a jazz guitarist who introduced him to the world of jazz. Hooked on the freedom of improvisation, his education took him to Chicago to study at Roosevelt University’s Chicago School of Performing Arts then moved to Los Angeles to further his musical pursuits. He also spent four months at the prestigious Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency hotel in New York City playing a nightly solo piano/vocal engagement.

Enjoy this intimate musical program in the studio with host and fellow Yamaha artist Tom Zink, as he sits down with John to learn more about his history, influences, and approach to music.



This performance was originally recorded on December 20, 2021, at Ming Dynasty Studio in Long Beach, CA.

Davina & The Vagabonds
Live from MIM

Since exploding onto the scene in 2005, Davina & The Vagabonds have grown from a down-and-dirty blues band into one of the most exciting acoustic ensembles on the international stage. This high-energy quintet has established itself with a stellar live show, a professional look, and good old-fashioned hard work.

With influences ranging from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, the band draws from the last 100 years of American music and is converting audiences one show at a time. As you'll see and hear in this special event, DATV’s shows are filled with New Orleans charm, Memphis soul swagger, dark theatrical moments that evoke Kurt Weill, and tender gospel passages. Davina’s voice and stage presence defy category in a different way. Davina has been compared to Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday and Betty Boop, but comparisons don’t suffice. Davina is a true original.



This unedited performance was originally streamed live and broadcast on May 30, 2019, from Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ.





photo by Garret Born

True Willie
and the Boys
Performance of the Month

Every summer, the Festival of Arts brings to the stage some of Southern California’s most well-known tribute bands. Talented performers pay homage to music legends as they re-create popular songs.

Musicians and fans agree – Willie Nelson is an iconic figure in American music history. Roger Hegyi as “True Willie” pays tribute to the life and music of one of the world’s most recognizable and distinctive musicians.

“Roger looks and sounds so much like The Man that fans and friends are convinced that he and Willie were twins separated at birth!” Not just a Willie Nelson “impersonator,” Roger has found a way to reach into the musical soul of Willie Nelson and share it with audiences wherever he performs. Chosen as the most authentic and convincing tribute act to Willie Nelson in America, the True Willie tribute band is fast becoming the first choice with audiences across America.

Roger Hegyi began singing in his church at 10 years old before being recognized as “one voice in a million” by professionals in the music industry. Roger has since amassed over 40 years of experience as a singer and guitarist, including several engagements in Southern California at the Anaheim Angels Stadium and the San Diego Padres Stadium, in theater groups and through thousands of performances in small clubs. The True Willie tribute band represents Roger’s lifelong dream to honor the music of Willie Nelson and the influence Willie has had not only on Country and Western music, but also on American music history.



This performance was originally recorded live on July 30, 2019, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.