Dueling Pianos!

J&J Acoustic is an acoustic duo featuring Jamie Warren and Jeff Spicher. Utilizing twin acoustic guitars and vocal Harmony’s that allow for a wide variety of song selections from the old school vibe of Seals & Crofts to the fresh pop of Dua lipa, J&J Acoustic offers something for every musical taste, done in an acoustic setting.

Both Jamie and Jeff have been performing separately and together regionally and locally in various acts for over twenty five years. In addition , Jamie Warren operates Warren Guitar lessons in Mishawaka Indiana and has studied at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles California.

Jeff Spicher has been a guitar instructor at Hoosier-dads music and Home-Run music in Mishawaka. he has also recorded several albums and has contributed soundtrack music for independent film director Donald Corthier.

This experience allows J&J Acoustic to draw from a wide variety of musical styles in order to keep things interesting for the audience. 

Buddy Pearson has been steadily playing bass for 36 of his 47 years. Hailing from a very musically supportive family. Buddy was given his first upright bass at age nine, and, in one way or another, has never looked back. In addition to playing bass nightly for others, national and local, Buddy also puts his guitar skills in a solo setting at weekly performances at several venues, with his own brand of Soul, Pop, and Jazz. Along with playing, Buddy has been teaching all levels of electric and upright bass privately for the last 20 years, currently teaching at South Bend’s The Music Village.

Tim was born and raised in SW Michigan.  As a young boy he was greatly influenced by two of his uncles who played flamenco guitar.  He would listen for hours as they played the old Spanish ballads from Puerto Rico.  His uncle gave him a guitar at 13 years old and Tim was hooked.
From age 15 on, Tim played solo and with various rock bands.  He has attended the Front Porch Music school in Valparaiso, Indiana as well as a number of classes ranging from piano and theory to vocal studies and master guitar.
Tim plays different shows from festivals, concerts, supper clubs, pubs and cafes.  He is known for his 70’s & 80’s style and features the music of various artists, like: Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor, America, Poco, Eagles, Jimmy Buffet, Cat Stevens, CSNY, Van Morrison, Jim Croce, John Denver, Paul Simon, John Fogerty, etc.

Dueling Pianos featuring Dean & Joel.

South of Disorder has been sailing the Chicago area for more than 15 years.  Comprised of veteran musicians who just happen to love the music and lifestyle of one Jimmy Buffett.  The band puts on a colorful, energetic and interactive show. South of Disorder calls it music “Buffett & the Beach” which includes lots of Buffett, tunes he covers and some he should cover.  Come out and help search for the fabled “Lost Shake of Salt” and the quest for the perfect Margarita!

Adding smooth jazz vocal stylings to a variety of genres, Chad Thompson enjoys an interactive crowd which often finds itself singing along to covers of Garth Brooks, Zac Brown Band, Neil Diamond & Billy Joel.  Previously leading up the original country music bands The Road Home and Local Motive, he shared the stage with bands Exile, Highway 101, Ronnie McDowell & The Eli Young Band.  Now playing solo acoustic venues, Chad enjoys free-forming on keyboard and guitar, and most of all, bringing people together.

Dan Reisen is a local acoustic and vocal artist from Valparaiso, Indiana. Focusing on genres such as classic rock/easy listening, blues and indie folk, Reisen has advanced his music career over the past 10 years exponentially. Playing all over Northwest Indiana, parts of Michigan and reaching into Illinois, Dan Reisen has made his mark as a local musician and is passionate about performing.

Dueling Pianos Live.

Michelle Velez & The D.A.M. Band featuring Dennis, Andrew, and Michelle can be heard playing acoustic tunes and singing sweet harmonies. Performances include a wide variety of classic hits ranging from: The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchel, Miranda Lambert, Prince, Johnny Cash, The Monkees, Alanis Morissette, and many more!  

International touring artists Diane Van Deurzen & Lisa Otey are a dynamic duo, a perfect blend of hot jazz, sultry blues and boogie-woogie. They take their act to festivals, clubs and theatres around the world and are known for creating an atmosphere of intimacy with their humor and joyful interactions with the audience.

Performances include the Thredbo Blues Festival in Australia; Box Factory for the Arts, Michigan; Yardbird Suite in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Blues in Bisbee and Tucson Folk Festivals, Arizona; Le Bilboquet and Caveau de la Huchette jazz clubs in Paris; Yoshi’s in California; Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado in Sonora, Mexico; Wild Rose Moon in Indiana; Silver City Blues Fest in New Mexico; and the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland.

Diane Van Deurzen and Lisa Otey have been inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame. Lisa has also been inducted into the Tucson Music Hall of Fame and appeared on the Grammy-nominated CD, “Ladies Man” with Pinetop Perkins. 

Diane and Lisa have co-produced several CDs on their label, Owl’s Nest Productions, including Diane’s “I Never Knew”, Lisa’s “Trio”, “Bring Your Own Boa” for Lisa Otey and the Desert Divas, and Diane & Lisa’s duo CDs, “You Got What I Want”, “Wild Women” and their Christmas hit, “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe”.

Diane grew up in rural Wisconsin, one of 7 children in a blue-collar community that centered around the paper mill and dairy farms near Appleton. Her father nurtured her love of singing by introducing her to the albums of Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald. Diane also loved poetry, which influenced her style as a lyricist. Diane always created opportunities to perform professionally, singing in bands, working in theatre and making recordings, alongside her career as a nurse in Wisconsin and, since 1992, as a teacher in Arizona. Lisa grew up in a rural community outside of Portland, OR, one of 3 children in a family of musicians. Lisa moved to Arizona in 1984 to study jazz piano and begin her career performing and also working in theatre. In 2005, Diane & Lisa began performing as a duo, touring across Europe, Australia, the US, Canada, and Mexico. In 2015, they began touring in the Midwest, making Michigan their home in 2021.

“Diane is one of the finest instinctually pure singers I have heard”
-Tucson Weekly

“Van Deurzen’s voice is warm and soothing, pouring out the lyrics with effortless control.”
-Tucson Lifestyles

“Whenever these two artists perform together, people comment on their easy rapport and emotional connection. Otey’s piano and vocals are hot and steamy. Van Deurzen sings sweetly. Together they blend like a musical cappuccino with extra foam on top.” -Chuck Graham

“Fun stuff from Lisa Otey and Diane Van Deurzen. (Wild Women) is a tribute in song to 100 years of women blues singers with a great mix of sass, sentimentality, and humor.” -Duncan Hudson, KXCI

“They put their hearts and souls into each song they sang and the fun they exuded on stage was infectious as it engulfed the audience.   Hand clapping, toe tapping, smiles, hoots and hollers prevailed throughout their 2 hour performance. People are still talking about their uplifting performance and can’t wait for them to return” -Clearwater Tribune

“Playback” is a duo dedicated to preserving the ballads and love songs of our youth. Randy and Ken have the experience of playing together for more than five years,  all over Michiana. The boys recreate the classic songs of artists like: Everly Brothers, America, Simon and Garfunkel, Beatles, Eagles and many more. Come sing with us!

Dueling Pianos Live.

Carlo Basile (www.carlobasileguitar.com) has travelled to over 40 countries to study, perform and teach Spanish guitar styles with a global influence. Carlo has received numerous awards and grants along the way to his bringing a message of collectiveness and cultural unity. Carlo is a co-leader and co-producer for the Surabhi Ensemble. The Surabhi Ensemble most recently completed tour of peace and artistic collaboration to Vietnam, Spain, Portugal, Senegal and Mexico. Carlo has most recently co-produced Covid safe livestream performances, workshops, and videos with members of Surabhi and guest artists. The award winning work of Juan Dies and Sones de Mexico over the past 25 years is well known in the Chicago area and nationally. Carlo is currently planning a tour to India with the Surabhi Ensemble for 2024. 

 

Fran Banish (www.franbanish.com) is a Chicago born, formerly LA based Blues-Rock guitar legend. After receiving radio play in Chicago in the late 80’s with the progressive pop-rock band Security, he toured and recorded internationally, earning a Gold Record award playing lead guitar and co-writing on Duncan Sheik’s 1996 debut for Atlantic Records. Fran also did guitar session work for TV, films, and radio. He’s done stage and session work with Keb’ Mo’, Rami Jaffe of The Wallflowers and The Foo Fighters, Dan Lavery of Tonic and The Fray, Berry Oakley Jr., Chris Stills (son of Stephen of CSN&Y), and Kofi Baker (son of Cream’s Ginger Baker) among others.  

With over 30 years of experience Dan has been touring the countryside with doing his own unique blend of acoustic Americana. With deep roots in acoustic guitar and banjo, Dans music incorporates elements of various American music styles, including woodstock rock, blues , bluegrass, jamgrass,  roots-rock, folk &  classic country resulting in a distinctive sound that highlights a lifetime of musical experiences.

Dan recorded, performed on and produced a CD with the Art Gomperz Band that  made it into the Top 10 of the European Country Music Association Charts and  the song “Don’t Worry Anymore” Nominated IMA Americana Song of the Year.
His original Banjo Instrumental “Courts in Session” received extensive radio play including the SIRIUS bluegrass channel and his recent CD and guitar instruction have been featured in two issues of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine.

Over the years, Dan has shared the stage with such great acts as: Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident,  Steep Canyon Rangers, Corn Meal, Pure Prairie League, Commander Cody, Peter Rowan and the Dillards.
Dan is currently involved in his solo performances as well and playing with The Boulevard Billies.

The Whateverly Brothers – Jamie Miller, Ed McKibbin and Ron Miller blend their harmonies bringing vocal-driven “acoustic goodness” to classic rock, country and R&B songs you love. 

Dueling Pianos Live.