The pop, soul, and R&B sounds of Motown face off with the famous hits from The Philly Sound in this incredible evening of classic songs including Ain’t No Stopping Us Now, Love Train, What’s Going On, I’m Gonna Make You Love Me, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, and more.

Join us after the concert in the Mary Seaton Room for a party featuring live music by local band Urban Renewal! This special event is open to all ticketholders.

Program

Byron Stripling, conductor
Chester Gregory, vocals
Ashley Jayy, vocals
Brik.Liam, vocals
Eric Metzgar, drums
Shubh Saran, guitar

–INTERMISSION–

About Byron Stripling

With a contagious smile and captivating charm, conductor, trumpet virtuoso, singer, and actor Byron Stripling has ignited audiences across the globe. In 2020, Stripling was named Principal Pops Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and his baton has led countless orchestras throughout the United States and Canada. As a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Stripling has performed frequently under the baton of Keith Lockhart, and was the featured soloist on the PBS television special “Evening at Pops” with conductors John Williams and Keith Lockhart. Currently, Stripling serves as artistic director and conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, Stripling has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with over 100 orchestras around the world including the Boston Pops, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and orchestras throughout Europe and Asia. He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and performs at festivals around the world.

An accomplished actor and singer, Stripling was chosen, following a worldwide search, to star in the lead role of the Broadway-bound musical, Satchmo. Many will remember his featured cameo performance in the television movie, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, and his critically acclaimed virtuoso trumpet and riotous comedic performance in the 42nd Street production of From Second Avenue to Broadway.

Television viewers have enjoyed his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of The Grammy Awards. Millions have heard his trumpet and voice on TV commercials, TV theme songs including “20/20” and CNN, and soundtracks of favorite movies. In addition to multiple recordings with his quintet and work with artists from Tony Bennett to Whitney Houston, his prolific recording career includes hundreds of albums with the greatest pop, Broadway, soul, and jazz artists of all time.

Stripling earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster. He has also played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, and Buck Clayton, in addition to the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and GRP All Star Big Band.

Stripling is devoted to giving back and supports several philanthropic organizations, including United Way and Community Shelter Board. He also enjoys sharing the power of music through seminars and master classes at colleges, universities, conservatories, and high schools. His informative talks, combined with his incomparable wit and charm, make him a favorite guest speaker to groups of all ages.

Stripling was educated at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. One of his greatest joys is to return, periodically, to Eastman and Interlochen as a special guest lecturer.

A resident of Ohio, Stripling lives in the country with his wife Alexis, a former dancer, writer, and poet, and their beautiful daughters.

About Chester Gregory

Chester Gregory is an award-winning singer and actor, last seen starring in Motown: The Musical as the iconic Berry Gordy. Broadway credits include Motown: The Musical, Hairspray, Tarzan, Cry-Baby, and Sister Act. Other credits include August Wilson’s Fences and Two Trains Running. He has toured nationally with Dreamgirls, Sister Act, as well as his one-man show, The Eve of Jackie Wilson. Chester has received many awards, including the Jeff Award and a NAACP Theatre Award, and has been presented the keys to the cities of his hometown of Gary, Indiana and East Chicago. He has also been chosen as an Honorary State Representative of Indiana and has received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, Columbia College Chicago.

Chester is currently producing several projects and recordings. Add him on social media @ChesterGregory and chestergregory.com.

About Ashley Jayy

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Ashley Jayy has been multitalented and artistic from a very young age. Singing became a key part of her life when Ashley began singing solos and leading choir songs in her local church and with choirs around town. Ashley’s musical ear developed rapidly as she was able to listen to music and not only single out the notes or tunes she would hear, but also retain them and interpret them in her own unique way. This only enhanced her already impeccable musicality and unique ability to interpret music of all styles. She began to write her own songs and create and arrange unique harmonies, and her creativity grew as she blossomed and came into her own.

Ashley started her musical journey singing with such great artists as Liv Warfield and Mike Phillips. These ventures led her to the late and great Prince, whom she soon began touring with shortly after he was introduced to her singular vocal talent. Ashley became a member of the New Power Generation and now sings regularly with Tevin Campbell, Monica, and Jazmine Sullivan. Ashley is spreading her wings and soaring as she embarks on her solo vocal journey, becoming the Ashley Jayy.

About Brik.Liam

Cultivated in diverse backgrounds and raised in the church with his mother as head of the choir, Jacoby “Brik.Liam” Williams was exposed to different genres of music that influenced his current sound. Brik.Liam was born in Petersburg, Virginia and reared in Germany and Houston, TX. His frequent relocation is a result of his military family upbringing. His early introduction to music helped shape his outlook on music and creativity. Now as an artist, Brik.Liam is in a league of his own, fusing classic soul vibes like the sound of Marvin Gaye with the urban contemporary music fans are accustomed to today.

The stage name Brik.Liam is a two-part compilation: “Brik”– a synonym of his favorite color red – and “Liam”, an abbreviation of his last name. Brik.Liam also has a signature image of a floating, red balloon that helps fans to identify his work in any setting. Brik’s perspective on artistry and his contribution to the music industry today can be described as poetic and unconventional, which adds to his unique appeal.

Brik.Liam’s career has evolved to greater success in recent years. He has released albums, performed with some of the industry’s brightest talents, and has showcased his music across the globe. Brik has performed in places like London and the Republic of the Congo. Notably, Brik has toured the United States as an opening performer for Grammy-winning artist PJ Morton during the 2018 More Gumbo Tour and the 2019 Paul Tour. Since then, Brik.Liam also completed a solo tour in Russia and released his EP, What’s The Matter, Brik.

“My goal in creating music and art is to make people feel understood, heard, and to make better choices and find happiness because of the telling of my story. I want to grow their minds and imagination, little by little.”

About Eric Metzgar

Eric Metzgar is an in-demand drummer and versatile collaborator who offers his musicianship to various jazz/pop artists and symphony orchestras worldwide. He has had the opportunity to play with numerous first-rate performers including Jeff Tyzik, Sutton Foster, Joe Locke, Jimmy Greene, Shayna Steele, Byron Stripling, and Delfeayo Marsalis.

Metzgar is a passionate educator deeply invested in music teaching and learning. Each summer, he teaches at the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop under the direction of saxophonist Alexa Tarantino. He maintains a private studio and serves as a clinician at grade schools and universities.

Metzgar holds a BM in Drum Set Performance and an MM in Music Teaching and Learning from the Eastman School of Music. He lives in New York City and tours frequently around the world.

About Shubh Saran

Shubh Saran is a New York-based guitarist, composer, and producer who has performed globally with his band throughout the United States, India, Canada, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Mexico. Having grown up in six different countries, his career has been shaped by a mixture of influences. Saran’s intricate compositions fuse sounds from modern jazz, neo-soul, and rock with classical and contemporary Indian music. In October 2021, Saran independently released his second full-length album and fourth overall release titled “inglish” – a groundbreaking work that explores concepts of assimilation, global identity, and native culture.

Pitchfork described inglish as “a heartfelt exploration of the ups and downs of being part of the world’s fastest-growing floating tribe – part global citizen, part cultural refugee,” and named the album to its list of Best Jazz and Experimental Music of 2021. DownBeat described inglish as a “scintillating musical brew,” and awarded the album three and a half stars. Before moving to New York City to start his music career, Saran studied at Berklee College of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. In 2017, Saran made his critically acclaimed debut with the release of “Hmayra,” and later followed up with “H.A.D.D.” (2018), and “Becoming” (2019). Throughout his career as a recording artist, each release has represented a different introspection for Saran.