The Music of Open Sky Artists

Depending on where you are in the world, the weather may be warmer than is typical for wintertime, but that’s no reason you can’t embrace the coziness of the season with some music from our clients that’s sure to warm your soul right up.

We are incredibly proud to serve these artists. Get to know a bit about them as you listen and watch below. And keep in mind: if you’ve got an event coming up, these musicians know how make it one for the ages. Don’t hesitate to inquire about booking.

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The Ladybugs

The Ladybugs play a unique blend of genres they call “dreamy Latin cowgirl jazz” with a repertoire that reflects their home city: culturally diverse, fashionable, and welcoming to all people. They combine their reverence for the Great American Songbook with the music of their Cuban, Colombian, and Brazilian heritage to create a uniquely New York sound. 

fake tapes

Inspired by neo-soul greats like D’Angelo and Erykah Badu — and informed by their background in Brooklyn’s jazz scene — fake tapes is all about the pleasure principle. They exist at the intersection of jazz, R&B, and funk, but above all, they share soulful music in a fun and creative way.

The Vipers

The Vipers are an early jazz, swing, and blues band — featuring acoustic guitar, upright bass, trumpet, saxophone, and homemade washboard percussion. Their repertoire of witty songs from the 1920s and 30s, classic blues, R&B, and western swing is augmented by original tunes with moving (yet often bawdy) lyrics and catchy four-part vocal harmony.

Four-Ever Yours String Quartet 

Based in New York City, Four-Ever Yours String Quartet is an enchanting, elegant group of string musicians known for their lush renditions of classical and popular favorites.

Alex Levin Trio

The Alex Levin Trio prides itself on being one of the best jazz bands in New York City. They have celebrated the Great American Songbook with performances at Top of the Rock, Top of the Standard, The W Hotel, Chelsea Piers, and Smalls Jazz Club in the West Village, to name a few. Simply put, the Alex Levin Trio sets the gold standard for jazz piano and swing in New York.

Chika and the Starry Night

Fronted by Chika Tanaka and her husband Tatsuya Sakurai, this ensemble’s swinging style is informed by their love of jazz — as well as their devotion to one another. Their soulful, elegant sound may leave you a bit starry-eyed.

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Want to bring music to your event? Get the conversation going by submitting an inquiry.

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Clipper Erickson

With training from Juilliard and Yale, Clipper Erickson has earned many prizes and widespread critical acclaim in his career as a pianist. He has played at Moscow Conservatory, Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall, and his performances demonstrate a commitment to underrepresented composers, past and present.

Street of Dreams Jazz Band

Street of Dreams Jazz Band is a vintage jazz and swing group with a lush, romantic sound. The New York City-based ensemble features gorgeous arrangements of timeless jazz standards from the Great American Songbook — and an era when swing was king.

Love, Charley

Love, Charley is inspired by a bygone era of flappers and speakeasies. This New York City-based hot jazz and swing band features the transcendent vocals of Martina DaSilva, whose timeless sound sparkles like champagne.

The B# Trio

The B# Trio will get your fingers snapping and toes tapping. Featuring jazz favorite Ryo Sasaki and his superb trumpet playing skills, The B# Trio is a sharp, wonderfully uplifting ensemble that will transport you to the heyday of jazz.

Evergreen Jazz Band

The Evergreen Jazz Band embodies the essence of vintage jazz — especially in the style of Billie Holiday. They bring a swinging sense of be-bop to the American Songbook, and their creative arrangements always illuminate something new in the classic standards we all love.

Sarah King and the Smoke Rings

Sarah King and the Smoke Rings evoke the elegance and charm of the swing era, playing music from the 30s and 40s with wit and style. An extraordinarily elegant band with regular performances at The Standard Hotel in New York City, they deliver unforgettable sophistication and style — and go great with a fizzy cocktail!

The Lovesome 

The Lovesome performs effervescent, danceable jazz and vintage R&B from the 40s through 70s. Anchored by the rich vocals of Kelsey Jillette, the group celebrates songs made famous by Ray Charles, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Etta James, and many more.

Want to bring music to your event? Get the conversation going by submitting an inquiry.

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And A Happy New Year

On this, the last day of 2019, we are taking stock of the things that made our year incredible. We are grateful to the artists, institutions, and supporters without whom Open Sky Artists could not exist, and we look forward to another year of making life easier for creative professionals in the performing arts. 

Without further adieu, here are our 2019 highlights, from January to December:

January

Our client Justin Guarini traveled to Bozeman, Montana for his first RIVER at the home-base of our CEO and Founder, Lori Rosolowsky. Justin conducted a series of master classes for young actors and performed in a fundraiser for institutional partner Verge Theater’s production of Fun Home.

February

David Canfield of Fanfare Archive reviewed our client Clipper Erickson’s latest release, Tableau, Tempest & Tango: “A superior recording, worthy to stand alongside the best… Just about the most ferocious-sounding “Baba-Yaga” on recording, and the most resplendent ‘Great Gate’ imaginable. One of the finest pianists of his generation in interesting repertory that shows off his considerable skill and artistry as a consummate musician.”

March

We completely overhauled three websites for our artists and reached out to over five hundred venues and presenting institutions on behalf of our clients.

April

We helped our client Justin Guarini launch a musical theatre coaching business, release his first book, and elevate his digital presence.

May

Alex Levin Music (the collective representing our clients the Alex Levin Trio, The Ladybugs, and others) became a preferred music vendor at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, the Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, Pennsylvania, Cairnwood Estate in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, and The Picnic House in Brooklyn, New York’s iconic Prospect Park.

June

We helped our client Justin Guarini launch the Audition Secrets podcast, a series of conversations with theatremakers about the choices and challenges that have shaped their careers. We produced the first fifteen episodes which included interviews with Patti LuPone, Laura Osnes, Laura Bell Bundy, Michael Cerveris, and Sierra Boggess.

July

Our client, instrumentalist and educator Clark Chaffee, brought his award-winning techniques for rhythmic notation and key shapes to Bozeman, Montana for his first RIVER, offering four multi-generational workshops to musicians of all skill levels.

August

Fresh off of two assistant choreography gigs at American Conservatory Theater (ACT) and Stanford University, Open Sky Artists welcomed our first ever choreographer client, Meredith Joelle Charlson.

September

Broadway veteran Jeff McCarthy traveled to Bozeman, Montana for a RIVER at Rhapsody-in-View, the home of our CEO and Founder, Lori Rosolowsky.

October

Our client, pianist Clipper Erickson, realized a career-long dream to perform the works of composer R. Nathaniel Dett on what would have been his 137th birthday. The concert’s form reflected those that Dett used to host — a collaboration of choral voice, solo voice, and piano.

November

We attended The Producer’s Perspective Super Conference in New York City, a theatre-centric weekend of panels and networking that was hosted by Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Ken Davenport. The Open Sky Artists team presented a talk on marketing and made countless meaningful connections.

December

We launched an online newsletter that highlights opportunities for artists and brings a bit of joy to your inbox each week. Sign up for this short-and-sweet weekly email here.

What a year! We can’t wait for the next one.

Client Spotlight: The Ladybugs

“In all of contemporary music, The Ladybugs are easily one of my favorite things. The emerging genre generally known as new hot jazz has no shortage of artists who are talented, imaginative, attractive, and ridiculously young. But even by that standard, The Ladybugs stand out as a vocal duo that is both charming and musically substantial in equal portions.”

— The Wall Street Journal

The Ladybugs play a unique blend of genres they call “dreamy Latin cowgirl jazz” with a repertoire that reflects their home city: culturally diverse, fashionable, and welcoming to all people. They combine their reverence for the Great American Songbook with the music of their Cuban, Colombian, and Brazilian heritage to create a uniquely New York sound.

“The Ladybugs’ refreshing sound and smart interpretations of early jazz tunes come as something of a revelation: light popular music from the early 1900s still has the power to enchant. The talent in this band is enormous and much fiercer than its name implies. With all due respect, no ladybug ever sounded this good.”

— The New York City Jazz Record

Learn more about our awesome clients.

They Say the Neon Lights Are Bright

Founded by Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Ken Davenport, The Producer’s Perspective Super Conference is a gathering of the world’s top theatrical talent for a weekend of education, inspiration and connection — and half of the Open Sky Artists team will be there November 16 and 17, 2019!

Broadway is changing, which has ripple effects for the theatrical community across the country and even the world. At the Super Conference, hundreds of the world’s smartest creators descend upon New York City to learn what’s new, what’s hot, and what’s actually working and trending right now.

Our very own CEO and Founder Lori Rosolowsky has been invited to give a talk on How to Market Your Project, and our client Justin Guarini will showcase his humor and charm as the weekend’s emcee.

Other notable guests and speakers for the conference include Heidi Schreck (Pulitzer Prize Finalist What the Constitution Means to Me), Joe Iconis (Be More Chill), Ken Davenport (Once on this Island, Spring Awakening), Itamar Moses (The Band’s Visit), and Bartlett Sher (To Kill A Mockingbird, My Fair Lady). See the full list here. Panels will include Navigating the Collaborative Process, The Art of Pitching to Producers, and Getting Your Work Produced Across the Country — to name a few.

This conference is perfect for:

• Playwrights of all levels wanting to get their script in top shape, in the hands of people who can make a difference in their career, and on a stage.

• Producers who want to find projects that will succeed, bring together a team, and get a show all the way to Broadway.

• Actors who want connections with industry professionals who could advance their career and a deeper understanding of the business of Broadway.

• Artistic staff who want to get up to date on industry trends and make connections with professionals from across the country.

• Directors who want to make connections with potential collaborators.

• Theatre lovers looking to immerse themselves in the process of creating theatre and networking with professionals in the industry.

Want to join us and hundreds of theatre professionals in New York? Register while you still can and use code OPENSKY to save.

Client Spotlight: Justin Guarini

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Justin Guarini’s robust performance career launched with the first season of American Idol in 2002. His stage and screen appearances since then include Broadway productions of Wicked, American Idiot, Romeo and Juliet, In Transit, and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Justin is a musical theatre coach and the host of the Audition Secrets podcast.

Justin has hosted shows shows like Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight along with live events for the TV Guide Network, the Oscars, the Emmys, and the Grammys. He continues to reprise his role as the lovable Lil’ Sweet in commercials for Diet Dr. Pepper.

Justin is a generous humanitarian: he has advocated for music education funding on Capitol Hill by lobbying for the International Music Products Association. He has worked with Education Through Music Los Angeles, a nonprofit utilizing music education as a catalyst to improve academic achievement, motivation for school, and self-confidence in underserved communities. Justin has also partnered with RandomActs.org and GISH.com to participate in global kindness campaigns.

Justin is dedicated to his loving family; his wife, daughter, and sons make up his happy home. It is here that he draws his support and the desire to live his best life.

Learn more about our awesome clients.

On the Road: Virginia Workshops with Justin Guarini

Broadway star, American Idol favorite, and our client Justin Guarini traveled to Stephens City Virginia this month to lead four performance workshops in partnership with CCLTalent. Designed for actors and singers ages 12 and up, these workshops focused on Pop Singing, Musical Theater, and Audition Techniques for Actors, providing valuable tools and techniques to performers of all experience levels.

Justin’s robust performance career launched with the first season of American Idol in 2002. His stage and screen appearances since then include Broadway productions of American Idiot, In Transit, Romeo and Juliet, Wicked, and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. He is also the host of the weekly podcast, Audition Secrets, with guests like Patti LuPone, Laura Osnes, and Laura Bell Bundy.

CCLTalent, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, is a full-service talent agency for all ages that specializes in children, teens and young adults. They collaborate with artists who possess a passion for the art, (theatre, musical theatre, film, television, new media and voice), an understanding of the industry, a dedication to continued training, and a strong work ethic.

Client Spotlight: Meredith Joelle Charlson

Meredith Joelle Charlson is a contemporary dance and theatre choreographer based in San Francisco, California. She most recently assistant choreographed the world premiere of A Walk on the Moon at the American Conservatory Theatre and choreographed the world premiere of Tinderella: the modern musical at The Custom Made Theater Company. She has trained with Stanford University and Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in Northern Israel. Meredith is a recipient of the Louis Sudler Prize for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Dance.

Learn more about our awesome clients.

Client Spotlight: Clipper Erickson

With training from Juilliard and Yale, Clipper Erickson has earned many prizes and widespread critical acclaim in his career as a pianist. He has played at Moscow Conservatory, Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall, and his performances demonstrate a commitment to underrepresented composers, past and present.

“One of the finest pianists of his generation in interesting repertory that shows off his considerable skill and artistry as a consummate musician.”

— David Canfield, Fanfare Archive

In addition to his powerful renditions of the great classical repertoire, Clipper continues to be active in premiering and promoting new works by American composers.

An essential part of Clipper's musical mission is the inspiration of future generations of musicians by encouraging the love of music through his commitment to education, performance in schools, and master classes. His teaching career has included appointments at Bucknell University, Temple University, and Westminster Conservatory. We are so happy to have him as our client!

Learn more about our awesome clients.