Jeff Tyzik, conductor

Grammy Award winner Jeff Tyzik is one of America’s most innovative and sought-after pops conductors. Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. Tyzik holds The Dot and Paul Mason Principal Pops Conductor’s Podium at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Detroit Symphony, the Oregon Symphony and The Florida Orchestra. This season, Tyzik will celebrate his 23rd season as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Frequently invited as a guest conductor, Tyzik has appeared with over fifty orchestras including the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, Milwaukee Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
In May 2007, the Harmonia Mundi label released a recording of works by Gershwin with Tyzik conducting the RPO and acclaimed pianist Jon Nakamatsu. This recording stayed in the Top 10 on the Billboard classical chart for over three months. Alex Ross of The New Yorker, called it “one of the snappiest Gershwin discs in years.” “His concert is the kind of thing that’s likely to give classical music a good name, perhaps even make it seem, dare I say, relevant,” writes John Pitcher of the Gannet News Service.

As an accomplished composer and arranger, Tyzik has had his compositions recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony and Doc Severinsen with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He has also produced and composed theme music for many of the major television networks, including ABC, NBC, HBO, and Cinemax, and released six of his own albums on Capitol, Polygram and Amherst Records.

Tyzik worked closely with Doc Severinsen on many projects including orchestrating many of the great band leader’s symphony orchestra programs. He produced a GRAMMY Award winning album, The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen, Vol. 1. Tyzik’s subsequent recordings with Severinsen garnered three more GRAMMY nominations.

In his twenty-two years with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Tyzik has written over 200 arrangements, orchestrations and compositions for orchestra. A consummate musician, Tyzik regularly appears as a guest conductor in the orchestra’s classical subscription series. He has also been commissioned to compose original works for orchestra, including a Trombone Concerto, which was funded by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and subsequently performed at Carnegie Hall. Tyzik conducted the world premiere of his original work New York Cityscapes with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in 2010. Tyzik composed a Timpani Concerto, commissioned by the RPO, and also led the RPO in the premiere of his new orchestral suite, “Images: Musical Impressions of an Art Gallery” to rave reviews. In the 2015/16 season, Tyzik premiered his new work “Jazz Concerto for Violin and Orchestra” on his Philharmonic Series performance with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

A native of Hyde Park, New York, Tyzik began his life in music when he first picked up a cornet at age nine. He studied both classical and jazz throughout high school and went on to earn both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music. While there, he studied composition/arranging with Radio City Music Hall’s Ray Wright and jazz studies with Chuck Mangione. Tyzik subsequently toured with Mangione as lead trumpet and worked on five Mangione recordings as a producer and performer from 1976 to 1981.

Committed to performing music of all genres, Tyzik has collaborated with such diverse artists as Megan Hilty, Chris Botti, Matthew Morrison, Wynonna Judd, Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel, Dawn Upshaw, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Mark O’Connor, Doc Severinsen and John Pizzarelli. Tyzik has created numerous original programs that include the greatest music from jazz, classical, Motown, Broadway, film, dance, Latin and swing.

Paul Loren, vocalist

Leading a new generation of soulful crooners, Paul Loren is a singer, songwriter, producer and consummate entertainer.

A native New Yorker, Paul was raised on the rich legacy of soul, classic pop, and the Great American Songbook and in those musical idioms he feels most at home. Taking elements from early R&B, jazz and Brill Building pop, he crafts his music with an ear towards timelessness.

“I started singing at 3 years old along with the little 45rpm records my mom would play and start ed playing piano at 4 years old. The voices I remember most and identify with are Ray Charles, Frankie Valli, Sam Cooke, Sinatra, Aretha, Otis, and Tony Bennett. Growing up in New York, Billy Joel was also a big influence.”

This last year has been a breakthrough year for Paul as he performed on his first National Tour in support of Brendan James, opened for “The Temptations” as part of Stamford’s Summer Concert Series “Wednesday Night Live”, and sold out Joe’s Pub at the Public in NYC multiple times. Paul was also selected by Jennifer Lopez to perform at her Birthday Gala in Las Vegas, was a featured artist at the AAA Radio Convention in Boulder Colorado, and shared the stage with Paul Shaffer, Queen Latifah, and Christie Brinkley at Target’s launch event for New York Fashion Week. Paul’s appearance on “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” showcased his talents for millions of viewers; with a winning song and viral video to boot. In addition, Paul landed his first television sync on NBC’s “Mysteries of Laura”, performed on the Nationally Syndicated Radio Show America Weekend with Ed Kalegi, showcased at the headquarters of the world-renowned Leo Burnett Ad in Chicago and had the unique honor of performing at the legendary STAX Museum in Memphis Tennessee.

His debut single “All By Myself” was supported by radio stations Lighting100 in Nashville, SiriusXM’s The Pulse, WCOO/Charleston and KPND/Spokane, among others. He is now preparing to release what will be the second single from the EP, titled “I Know A Place.”

"The new track started out as a simple folk song,” says Paul. “There's an optimism that runs through the heart of the tune--which I believe in--it moves me every time I sing it.” In support of the new release, Paul will be performing at Rockwood Music Hall and at Joe’s Pub at the Public in NYC. He also has the privilege of partnering with The Ryan Seacrest Foundation at their Children’s Hospital in Dallas, Texas where he’ll be playing new music for children and their parents at a special concert this holiday season.

Andy Roninson, keyboard

Andy Roninson is a pianist and composer currently living in New York City. He is a recipient of the 2019 Jonathan Larson Grant. In 2017, he participated in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project.

As a keyboardist, he has performed and/or recorded with artists in virtually every style, including jam bands, funk bands, rappers, bluegrass artists, ska bands, church choirs, and others. He has arranged music for a capella groups, gospel choirs, full-size jazz bands, string quartets, brass quintets, etc. He's performed at venues such as the Village Underground, B. B. King's, Smoke, the Van Dyck, and many more. He was a featured act on a bill that included Marvin Hamlisch, James Earl Jones, and Kelli O'Hara.

He studied classical piano for years before studying jazz performance at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College with teachers Charles Blenzig, Arturo O'Farrill, Kevin Hays, Hal Galper, Jon Faddis, Steve Wilson, Todd Coolman, and others. At Purchase, he was awarded the James Moody Scholarship and graduated summa cum laude. He has shared the stage with such jazz legends as Hank Jones, Chris Potter, Randy Brecker, and others.

He has music directed and conducted Off-Broadway (Atlantic Theater, the Public Theater, Playwrights Horizons) at regional theaters (Park Playhouse, the New London Barn Playhouse) as well as at colleges (Dartmouth College, Fordham University, Purchase College) and numerous workshops and readings in New York City (Off-Broadway's Triassic Parq, AWOL's 8 Minute Musicals, etc.). He orchestrated, conducted, and played keyboards, guitar, and melodica for the NYC premiere of Wonderland: Alice's Rock and Roll Adventure. He was the Associate Music Director for A Second Chance by Ted Shen Off-Brodway at The Public Theater and was a copyist for St. Joan by David Byrne and directed by Alex Timbers. He was a rehearsal pianist for String by Adam Gwon and Sarah Hammond and Bella by Kirsten Childs, both at Playwrights Horizons. 

He is the creator/host/executive producer of the podcast TAKE A TEN, a one-of-a-kind, monthly audio podcast of original, orchestrated ten-minute musicals. Each musical is a fully contained story created for the program by Andy Roninson and a collaborator and features performances by some of NYC and Broadway's top actors, including Tony-nominees Laura Osnes and Rob McClure. Episodes of TAKE A TEN have been produced at City Theatre in Miami, Broadway au Carré in Paris, France, Baldwin Wallace University, the New London Barn Playhouse, and Theatre Now New York's SOUND BITES festival four times, where it won Best Actress (Katie Whetsell, "Finding the Words"), Best Actor (Kyle Olsen, "The Almost-In Laws") Best Lyrics (Kevin Hammonds, "The Answering Machine"), and Best Musical twice ("The Answering Machine" and "The Almost In-Laws"). Episode #8: "Evelyn Shaffer and the Chance of a Lifetime" has been published by Samuel French and was the recipient of the City Theatre National Award for Short Playwrighting. For a full list of productions of and awards for TAKE A TEN, visit TakeATenMusicals.com/about/. 

To listen to every episode for free, download from iTunes or listen online at SoundCloud.com. Tweet to @TakeA10Musicals, follow on Instagram, and Like the Facebook page for all the latest updates!

Andy is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop where he was awarded the Robert B. Sherman Scholarship in 2010 and the Jerry Harrington Award for Creative Excellence in 2011. His work has been featured several times at the BMI Semi-Annual Smoker, a showcase for selected works from the Workshop.

He co-wrote two full length musical comedies, Exorcism on Aisle Five and For The Birds, both with librettist Kristofer Wellman. He wrote music for the 15-minute musical "One More Room" (lyrics and book by Misha Shields), which was presented at the New York Theatre Barn and the BMI Workshop. He wrote music and lyrics for the eight-minute musical "Zander" (libretto and additional lyrics by Kelsey Celek), which premiered at the Artist Without Limits' 8 Minute Musicals series.  And for Prospect Theater's Stage Fright, he wrote book, music, and lyrics for the ten-minute musical, "Shuffle Off."

Greg Mayo, vocalist & guitar

Greg Mayo is a producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in New York.  In his White Plains studio, he’s been making records with some of New York City’s most talented artists.  Stylistically, his work may be hard to pin down - but that’s just how he likes it.  

His latest endeavor is a ‘producer record’ - releasing a single every month, partnering with a different artist (in a different style) on each song. 

In addition to producing for and performing in countless projects scattered across the musical spectrum,  Greg plays guitar and sings in Brooklyn Sugar Company, a rock and roll band based in New York. Greg also leads an old school soul band appropriately called Greg Mayo Band singing and playing piano.  In the last year he's produced records for soul singer BSKi, hip hop group ItsTheReal, and rock/folk artist Robbie Gil.  

His productions can be heard on shows like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix), The Masked Singer (FOX), and performed by The Roots on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (NBC).  As a sideman his reputation is also well established, performing with Jon Bon Jovi and Kings of Suburbia, Blood Sweat & Tears and Norwegian soul artist Bernhoft.  Most recently Greg signed on perform in Revolution: Beatles Symphonic Experience.  Each month, a new city and a different symphony performing Beatles hits with a symphony orchestra! 

Zach Jones, vocalist & drums

Zach Jones is a talented singer/songwriter who is accomplished both as an acoustic artist as well as a rock artist. Zach found his voice at a young age, and has spent much of his waking hours practicing and perfecting his craft. Zach’s roots are largely in Alternative, Classic and Grunge Rock, but he also has a soulful and deep aspect that comes across in many of the original songs he’s written and performed.

As the lead singer for the rock bands NBTF and Rose Hollow, Zach is very commanding in his stage presence. NBTF won the Loudoun Battle of the Bands in 2017, after being together for less than 2 years. They then went on to open of Bon Jovi at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC on May 14, 2018 during Bon Jovi’s “This House is Not for Sale” tour. The band had performed several charity/benefit concerts, and had release two EPs that can be found on iTunes, CDBaby, Amazon, Spotify, etc.

As an acoustic artist, Zach blends acoustic versions of Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Sevendust, Stone Temple Pilots, and many others with his own original work. Zach’s typical set runs 3 to 4 hours of continuous music without repeats.

Brian Killeen, bass

Brian Killeen is a NYC bassist that has enjoyed performing with many inspiring artists. Some of his favorite musical situations have included sharing stages with Chuck Loeb, Jarle Bernhoft, Liz Longley, A Great Big World, and Joe Sumner, as well as various on and off-Broadway theatrical productions. He is thrilled to be a part of Revolution: The Music of The Beatles.

Colin Smith, vocals

With a career spanning over 20 years, Irish born Colin Smith has led a musical life as varied as it is impressive. With his former band MrNorth, while on RCA, they toured extensively with the likes of The Who, Van Halen, Sheryl Crow and Journey among many others. As a solo artist, songs from his two records have been licensed to movies and TV alike. Colin has been seen in live collaborations with Alicia Keys and has worked multiple times on Saturday Night Live as the featured vocal talent. Colin has been most recently been seen touring with Christina Aguilera, duetting with her on the GRAMMY winning “Say Something” to audiences across the globe, as well as performing background vocals for the show. Colin splits his time between NYC and LA.