Don Stiernberg

Don has been a full-time professional musician for more than 20 years. He currently records and performs as a commercial musician in Chicago. Regarded as the protege of master jazz mandolinist Jethro Burns, Don also plays guitar and fiddle, and hits the occasional vocal part. He has appeared on about 30 CD's, including seven as producer. Highlights from this list include two critically acclaimed recordings (Blue Skies and Night Skies) with banjo cohort Greg Cahill, and Fidgety Feet, an award winning children's album with Steve Rashid. In addition, Don teamed up with Jethro Burns on Swing Low, Sweet Mandolin and Bye Bye Blues, Burns' final two recordings on David Grisman's Acoustic Disc label. As a member of the Jethro Burns Quartet, Don has shared the stage with such luminaries as Chet Atkins , Steve Goodman, and The Newgrass Revival. More recently, he has performed with Chicago jazz violinist Johnny Frigo and Texas Playboy legend Johnny Gimble. Fellow mandolinists David Grisman and Sam Bush have invited him onstage for impromptu jamming as well. Don also enjoys teaching and writing about the mandolin, giving workshops at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, The Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, and the Old Town School in Chicago. A former editor of Mandolin World News, he currently serves as the jazz columnist for Mandolin Magazine.

For more information about Don, including a discography, check out his own site.

New!! Listen to Don's Interview on Fresh Air with Terry Gross. During the interview, Terry plays music from Don's new CD About Time, from the Jethro Burns album Bye Bye Blues, and Don plays live in the studio.

John Carlini

Guitarist, composer, arranger & conductor John Carlini had as his earliest musical influences a New York Philharmonic violinist (his father) and a nationally-known concert pianist (his mother).  He is a Berklee College of Music graduate (arranging/composition, with guitar as primary instrument), and lists the following as some of his proudest musical accomplishments: (1) guitarist, U.S. Navy Show Band; (2) Music Director & guitarist, David Grisman Quintet; (3) orchestrator & composer for the Frederico DeLaurentiis film, King of the Gypsies (featuring the late Stephane Grappelli); (4) guitarist (replacing Jerry Garcia) in the groundbreaking Great American Music Band; (5) Musical Director, the Ice Capades; (6) Orchestrator, off-Broadway musical, Song of Singapore; and (7) Conductor/Arranger, Nashville Mandolin Ensemble.

John currently leads The John Carlini Quartet, is a principal member of Stiernberg & Carlini, writes a column for Flatpicking Guitar Magazine; and serves as an instructor for various guitar workshops & festivals.  His recording accolades are many.  The list includes (1) “River Suite for Two Guitars” with the legendary Tony Rice; (2) “The Games’ Afoot” with the John Carlini Quartet; (3) the Grammy nominated “Dawg 90” with the David Grisman; (4) “A Christmas Gift” with vocalist Bill Robinson; (5) “Reflections” with Butch Baldassari; (6) “Angel Eyes” with Don Stiernberg; (6) “By George” with Don Stiernberg; and most recently, (7) “Further Adventures,” John’s first solo outing.

John Carlini is one of the architects of the new acoustic music genre.  In fact, you could argue convincingly that he and Tony Rice “invented new acoustic guitar." (Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine).  He has contributed significantly to our American musical heritage, he is an important part of today’s acoustic jazz scene, and we are very proud to bring him to you as a Blue Night Records artist.

Jim Cox

Jim grew up in Champaign, Ill., where he attended the University of Illinois and earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance on the double bass. Upon graduating he toured with Earl "Fatha" Hines for three years, then settled in Chicago, where he has since worked full-time in the music industry. Jim has performed with numerous notable jazz artists, including Judy Roberts, Red Rodney, Randy Brecker, Louie Bellson, Rosemary Clooney, and Eliane Elias. For the last five years he has been working regularly with famed pianist Marian McPartland. Jim's extensive discography includes projects across a wide range of musical styles: jazz, bluegrass, klezmer, folk, and New Age. He teaches string bass at three Chicago area colleges as well. Jim Cox is a solid, inventive bass player, and we eagerly anticipate his contributions to many more Blue Night releases.

Curt Morrison

Curt, like so many of Chicago's finest jazz musicians, also studied at the University of Illinois. He maintains a rigorous musical schedule in Chicago, playing with The Don Cagen Orchestra, with his own rock group The Saltines, and with a host of additional musical talents. Curt writes jingle and soundtrack music. He shares his knowledge and expertise with several guitar students as well. In addition to his soulful guitar solos and complex textural backup, Curt's impressions and wacky jokes make any recording studio a fun place to be. Blue Night Records is proud to present the jazz guitar of Curt Morrison.

Kevin Connelly

Kevin has been a mainstay at Woodside Ave. studios for many years, helping rhythm sections coalesce. Amazingly adept at a wide range of styles, from swing jazz to electronic drum programming, Kevin has appeared on CD's by Cynthia Barber, Eric Barnes, Michael Brandmeier, Jim Gill, Megan McDonough, Steve Rashid, and many others. He has also done several jingle and soundtrack dates (e.g., McDonalds, Bud Light, Oldsmobile, Sears, Quaker Oats, Starkist Tuna, and Weber Grills), many of which he wrote himself! Kevin is also the propietor of Kevin Connelley Drum Studio, where he imparts to young students (and professionals) the skills which have made him one of the most called upon musicians on the Chicago recording and performing scene.

Art Davis

Art is yet another University of Illinois jazz alumnus. During one tour of duty as a teaching assistant he even tutored a young Curt Morrison, making their appearance on this recording a reunion of sorts. Art's academic credentials are surpassed by his reputation in the real world of jazz. He's toured with Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra, and has appeared with such greats as Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Natalie Cole, Clark Terry, Diane Shure, Rosemary Clooney, and Louie Bellson. Art has recorded with many well-known performers as well, and is trumpet player of choice for everything from traditional to mainstream to modern jazz gigs in Chicago.

Richie Fudoli

Richie is the real deal. He is legendary on Chicago's jazz scene, not only as a reed virtuoso, but as a guru and mentor as well. One evening on a bandstand the leader introduced a Nat King Cole arrangement. "Ah yes, Nat King Cole," said Richie "my first big gig!" His credit list also includes Peggy Lee and countless other superstars of the jazz idiom. Richie sees the bright side of life. "We are the lucky ones" is just one of his famous sayings, a reference to the privileges and joys (as opposed to hardships and travails) of being a musician. Richie co-leads a quintet with trombonist Bill Porter at On Green Dolphin St. in Chicago, and is in constant demand for any gig or session involving sax, clarinet, or flute.

Russ Phillips

Russ was born to play the jazz trombone. He proudly carries the legacy of his father, Russ Phillips Sr., who played with Louis Armstrong. Russ leads his own Windy City All-Stars at Andy's, one of Chicago's most popular jazz venues. He also performs with The Ken Arlen Orchestra. Outside of Chicago, Russ has attracted a legion of fans on the jazz festival circuit, where he makes appearances as an All-Star or guest artist with musicians such as Howard Alden, Warren Vache, and Jake Hanna. Russ has also performed with Lionel Hampton, Doc Cheatham, and Buddy DeFranco. He is currently putting the finishing touches on a long awaited solo project.

Alejo Poveda

Alejo brought his unique musical gifts from his birthplace in Costa Rica to Chicago more than two decades ago. A creative multi-instrumentalist, he has been known to play everthing from drum kit to tree branches. His energy has propelled hundreds of sessions, including work for such well known artists as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, and Dave Mason. Alejo has also performed with Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, and Joe Williams, just to name a few. Alejo shares his knowledge of Latin rhythms with children in Chicago schools and with students in percussion clinics. His own band, Chevere, is a Latin jazz powerhouse that must be seen to be believed. When Alejo arrives at the studio, the rest of the cats, the engineer, and even the executive producer gather 'round wide-eyed as he unveils "the toys" his rich experience tells him will enhance the music.

Steve Schneck

Steve is a multifaceted individual. His skills as a trumpeter and bandleader are well documented on his quartet album "Together Again" on the Lake Shore Jazz label. He's also an attorney, specializing in civil rights cases. Originally from New York (another town with a decent jazz scene), Steve studied at Julliard, the Manhattan School of Music, and Eastman School. The soloing skills he displayed on "About Time" were also cultivated in Steve's musical family --- his father plays guitar, his mother is a pianist and teacher, and his uncle played (of all things) the mandolin!