GEORGE BENSON

George Benson was born March 22,1943 in Pittsburgh, Pa. He is an American musician, whose recording career began at the age of 21 as a jazz guitarist. He is however, better known to the public at large as a Pop/R&B singer, famous for such hits as "Give Me The Night", "Lady Love Me (One More Time)", "Turn Your Love Around", "In Your Eyes" and "This Masquerade", amongst many others. George Benson started out playing straight-ahead instrumental jazz with organist Jack McDuff. Benson got his first experience playing with his several-year stint with McDuff's group. At the age of 21, Benson recorded his first album as leader, The New Boss Guitar, with Brother Jack McDuff on organ.

Benson's next recording was It's Uptown with the George Benson Quartet with Lonnie Smith on organ and Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax. This album showcases Benson's talent in constructing swinging bebop lines at blistering tempos. Benson followed it up with "The George Benson Cookbook," also with Lonnie Smith and Ronnie Cuber.

ELLE "ThatChick" JOHNSON

ELLE, also known as THAT_CHICK, has been singing and writing poetry for many years. She has been blessed to headline many packed showcases at the once famous now defunct Sweetwaters Club as well as opening for many acts including Ray, Goodman and Brown and the jazz group Pieces of a Dream. She has had the good fortune to be featured on the CD of jazz drummer extraordinaire Lenny White. She has also regularly performed on Paltalk Internet radio - which has an international audience.

Elle is currently working on projects with up and coming producers and artists. It is the music of Chaka Khan, who with her vocal skill and ability to relay her emotions with a song that made it clear to Elle that she had to sing. “Chaka Khan is the reason I sing today,” Elle responds when asked why she loves writing and performing. “Chaka Khan is the truth!” Natalie Cole, Patrice Rushen Anita Baker, Sade and Brenda Russell have also been big influences in Elle’s musical life. “Sade’s smooth throatiness talks to me – shows me it’s ok not to sing happy songs all the time, while Brenda Russell’s music proves that people really will listen if they can relate to the things I write about.

When listening to Elle you hear the smoothness of Sade, the fire of Chaka Khan, the simplistic truth of Brenda Russell’s writing style and a dash of Anita Baker’s sultry tones. It’s truly a “melting pot of emotions” for your ear.

Presently THAT_CHICK Elle hosts a radio program entitled "Taste of Romance". She is a true lover of love songs... not the same old same old love songs, but when "I love you" is said in a unique way - it gets her attention. Although recently becoming single Elle still believes in love and it shows…Most of Elle’s poetry is about love, however she also writes about life in general - up's, down's disappointments, as well as life’s high points.

Elle is currently working on a project, which will blend poetry, and soulful music that is sure to reach anyone who has a heart - a poetry/music CD that she has waited a very long time to do. Elle says “Life is beautiful...even when its raining, there is something to smile and be thankful about. Take each moment and make a memory.”

MULGREW MILLER

Mulgrew Miller is an American jazz pianist born in 1955 in Greenwood, Mississippi. In a childhood filled with early musical experiences and constant meddling in jazz piano, Miller is said to have set his mind definitely to becoming a jazz pianist after hearing a record by Oscar Peterson (a first for Mulgrew). “It was a life changing event. I knew right then that I would be a jazz pianist”. Mulgrew did indeed become a jazz pianist, and has adopted more from Peterson than his profession. Much of Mulgrew's playing has the same technical prowess so often connected with Peterson. Currently, Mulgrew maintains a working trio with Derrick Hodge on bass, and Karriem Riggins on drums. With this trio he has released two albums to date (both on the label Max Jazz Records): Live At Yoshi's Vol. 1 (2004), Live At Yoshi's Vol. 2 (2005).

Mr. Miller, has been hired as the new director of the jazz studies program at William Paterson University, in Wayne, N.J.

On May 20, 2006, Miller was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Performing Arts at Lafayette College's 171st Commencement

ARINE WARD

ARINE WARD, better known throughout the poetry world as Skee Wee 1908 was born November 6, 1973 to the Bishop and Mrs. James Ward, right outside Music City, TN. A 1996, graduate of TSU, with a nursing degree, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INC. Arine heads the family business as well as maintains employment within the travel industry. Arine is single and makes her home in Houston, Texas.

Arine says she has been writing all ofher life. But within the last six months, she has taken on the challenge of recording her work. After hosting an open mic poetry hour on Paltalk.com, in the Black House of Music and Soul Jams, she saw the excitement and eagerness of poets striving for a better tomorrow. She was encouraged to step out and see which direction her work could actually flow. After speaking with a beats producer, and learning the ins and outs of the poetry world, networking began to flourish. Soon people who had no Idea she existed started inquiring of my next read. From there She became and active member of Nipps Poetic Nook on paltalk.com, Chocolate Nipps, took Arin under her wing, and together they make things happen.

When she is able, Arine does a lot of volunteer work, especially within the developmental pediatric units. Her ultimate favorite pasttime, is running. Arine loves to run. You can catch her in gyms and tracks coast to coast just running!

Currently though, she is recovering from ACL/Cartilage surgery, and with time on her hands, she has been able to pour more energy into the craft that has given her the outlet to heal and work all at the same time. Arine is currently working on her first CD Project, entitled “The Rebirth of Me” a brief history of this CD, is more of a testimonial from where she's been to the person she is today. Overall being the Bishops daughter, to being kidnapped, Arine is a survivor with a story.