bios

BILL CANTOS

Keyboardist, singer, songwriter, arranger, producer - Bill thrives on variety. He is currently on tour with music legends Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, who cut two of his songs on their new CD, Anything Goes; he's also toured and/or recorded with Phil Collins (his world-wide 'First Final Farewell Tour'), Alan Bergman, Bob Dylan, Diane Schuur, Kirk Whalum, Barry Manilow, Lisa Ono, and Rita Coolidge, among many others.

His songs have been covered by such artists as Ramsey Lewis, Lea Salonga, Patti Austin, Brenda Russell, Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne. Bill has a deep love for Brazilian music, and has been fortunate to work extensively with many of its finest artists, including Sergio Mendes, Dori Caymmi, Flora Purim & Airto Moreira, and Gal Costa. Bill has released six solo CDs including his latest, LOVE WINS: NEW STANDARDS FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM, an album of new songs written in the style of classic jazz standards. JAZZIZ magazine singled out Bill as an artist to watch and SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS called him a “bright new star”. He's currently putting the finishing touches on a new album.

Gospel music is a passion for Bill; he leads worship, has written songs for Clay Crosse, Maranatha Music and Helen Baylor, performed for half a million people as musical director/keyboardist of the Promise Keepers worship band, and appears on CDs by Donnie McClurkin, Tommy Walker, and Andrae Crouch. He is also heard around the world on the “Haven Today” radio broadcast.

Theater is another avenue for his talents; he appeared in the LA world premiere of Cy Coleman/Alan & Marilyn Bergman's musical, LIKE JAZZ, and has written an one-act musical, "The Little Room". He has performed on the soundtrack to dozens of films including Spiderman 3, WALL-E, Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs, Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself, & Polar Express.

Growing up in San Diego, California, Cantos received a Masters in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he studied piano with Fred Hersch. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Mari Falcone.

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MARI FALCONE

Mari's multi-faceted career - pianist, keyboardist, musical director, conductor, composer, arranger, vocalist - defies boundaries and encompasses many musical worlds. She's toured extensively with Donna Summer, Amy Grant, Vikki Carr, Nell Carter, Debby Boone, Kim Hill, Deniece Williams, and many others

Her original music is a mix of pop, classical, jazz & gospel. She has written a ballet - "The Garden Suite" was written for and premiered by the Florence Dance Company in Florence, Italy; she composes for TV and film; and she has released three solo albums ("And All This", "Embrace The Cross", and "Christmas Peace"). Her current writing projects include a one-act opera and several musical theater pieces.

She's served as musical director for Off-Broadway, touring musicals, and many L.A. theatrical productions, including a stint with the legendary Groundlings improv comedy troupe. She writes special material for comedienne Louise Duart, and composed the theme song for "Couples Who Pray", a live project based on the book by Duart and Squire Rushnell. Mari wrote and produced Debby Boone’s album for children “The Snow Angel”; her music was also featured in the show "Catskills On Broadway" and the short film "Jillian's Vantage", which won the Grand Prize at the Damah Film Festival.

She's served as musical director for Off-Broadway, touring musicals, and many L.A. theatrical productions, including serving as musical director for the legendary Groundlings improv comedy troupe. She's written songs for gospel artists Helen Baylor and Haven, and has made countless TV appearances, including two times on the Grammy Awards. In addition, she was honored as the first female conductor to appear at Caesar’s Palace.

Born and raised in the Chicago area, she received her Masters degree in classical piano performance from the University of Miami as a student of Rosalina Sackstein. Still a Windy City girl at heart, she now lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Bill Cantos.