member profiles

Winner of three Downbeat Awards, Ulrich Ellison has been gaining international recognition as an electric guitar player and songwriter whose sounds and tones are on the verge of the blues tradition and contemporary rock. Ellison’s guitar style is both economic and focusing on the essential statement. What underlies his sound is an ethereal quality that takes the listener on a musical journey.  Among the various achievements rank a nomination for a European Blues Award 2016, 2 Austin Music Awards in the category “Best Blues/Soul/Funk” as well as the prestigious 2016 Award for “Best Guitar” as first European ever. Bridging the gap between Americana and European classical sensibilities, Ellison has carved out a unique voice on guitar. His latest 2021 release “Power Of Soul” is a Tribute to the late Jimi Hendrix featuring luminaries Tommy Shannon (SRV), David Grissom (John Mellencamp), Matt Schofield, Greg Koch and legendary Blues voice Chris Farlowe (Colosseum, Hamburg Blues Band). Since 2020, he is also the founder and CEO of the “Total Guitar Transformation” Academy, empowering guitarists worldwide to become the best version of themselves.

From Turkey to the United States, Utar Artun's musical career has taken significant turns: from a classically trained percussionist to a Contemporary composer and multi-style microtonal pianist. Utar began his musical journey at age eight at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory. His passion for music, especially sounds rooted in cultures beyond European and Middle Eastern traditions, has led him to discoveries that continue to enrich his musical background perceptions that transcend geographical, cultural and ethnic boundaries. At age nine he composed his first original music for piano. At age 11 he started to study with well-known Turkish composer Prof. Ilhan Baran, and was able to compose music for full symphonic orchestra in his third year.

Vahagn Stepanyan is a gifted keyboard player, songwriter, composer, arranger and music producer. His musical giftedness has been recognized by Grammy® Award-Winning artists and well-known musicians across the world. Throughout the years Vahagn has collaborated with a host of artists through studio work, tours and writing including Eric Marienthal, Nathan East, Melvin Lee Davis, Wojtek Pilichowski, Eric Moore, Adam Hawley, Mark Lettieri, Richie Gajate Garcia, Ida Nielsen, Feodor Dosumov, Danielle Withers, Sirusho and many other incredible artists.

Ventriloquist, musician, composer, and performer Valerie Leonhart Smalkin was one of the writers, performers, and co-producers as well as the head puppeteer of the Emmy award winning television program It's Kindertime on Baltimore’s ABC affiliate. Her children’s CDs have received several Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff award, and have been on the Grammy ballot. She’s also an award-winning writer, and sings with the The Silverbacks Jazz quartet in Baltimore.

Powerhouse recording artist VALERIE GHENT wows audiences with her emotive, evocative voice, piano chops to match, and “soul-stirring, uplifting songs full of vitality and joy.” A native New Yorker with a bluesy, funky piano style and a stunning 3 1/2 octave range, it’s no surprise she was longtime musician/vocalist/recording engineer with music legends Ashford & Simpson, toured with Debbie Harry, performs with music legend Valerie Simpson and has worked with renowned artists as diverse as Dr. Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, Billy Preston, Sir Cliff Richard and Defunkt.