Renée Baker

Renée Baker, composer, violinist/violist, conductor is founder/leader of thirteen contemporary music performance entities–Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, FAQtet, Mantra Blue Free Orchestra, Red Chai, Project 6, Wrinkled Linen, Connoisseur Musica String ensemble (classical), Poemusici (spoken word), Mimetic Cast (new music performance ensemble and publisher), Blanche’ (experimental orchestra), Baker Artet, TUNTUI (experimental piano quartet) and the Renee’ Baker Trio. She has created eclectic chamber festivals for Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Joffrey Ballet Chamber Series, Norris Cultural Arts Center and Classical Symphony Hall.

As a composer, Ms. Baker has penned creative compositions for her own groups, as well as the Chicago Sinfonietta Chamber Ensemble and the Great Black Music Ensemble/AACM. In 2009 Ms. Baker’s compositions were premiered in Umbria Italy and Suoni Per Il Popolo (Montreal). Ms Baker has presented over 20 concerts including her compositions for the Chicago State University Student Afternoon recital series, from 2002-2007. She has premiered over 10 works on the Chicago Sinfonietta Chamber Series 2008-2010. Her first full symphony piece, commissioned by Chicago Sinfonietta, Sundown’s Promise for Taiko and Orchestra was given it’s world premiere(2 performances) in October 2010, and was met with critical acclaim. Her second symphony piece, commissioned by Chicago Sinfonietta, Divertimento Notte blu was given its world premiere (2 performances) in May 2011 and was widely met with great reviews.

Ms. Baker was accepted into the cutting-edge Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute (2010) at Columbia University. In 2010 she completed a score for a 1960′s film by Jack Behrends sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. She composed the score for the Museum of Contemporary Art Program (Chicago) entitled Brass Epiphany, part of the 45th Anniversary celebration of the AACM for November 2010.

George Peter Tingley

Award-winning composer George Peter Tingley has accumulated more than 50 years of musical experience, a rich musical journey that began with study of the violin at age four. By 16, George was already a full-fledged member of San Francisco’s Musician’s Union Local #6, listed as keyboardist, bassist, composer, and arranger.

His training has been absolutely first-rate beginning with early study of the violin under the tutelage of noted Bay Area cellist, conductor, and composer Dr. Alexander Manke. Harvard-trained organist Dr. Kenneth Mansfield guided his progress in his early teens. After completing three music degrees (two at the University of Southern California), George went abroad to Paris to study privately with one of the greatest teachers of the 20th-century, Nadia Boulanger.

George is highly accomplished in several areas of music including teaching, composing, and recording. In addition to college teaching and his well-documented contributions to the Music Teachers’ Association of California, George has produced over 100 educational works published by such prestigious companies as Alfred, Hal Leonard, and Warner Bros. He has written for Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and his music has been featured on ABC and CBS television networks including one Super Bowl commercial. Most recently his music has been heard in the films of celebrated Japanese documentarian Jin Tastsumura.

Supplementing his encyclopedic knowledge of music theory is George’s exceptional practical knowledge of orchestration, musical acoustics, computerized music, and audio engineering.

Chris Tozzi

Hailing from San Francisco, Chris Tozzi is an instrumental guitarist who writes and performs under the band name "Tozzi." Chris has been active in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene since 2003 and has been in many bands, including Coke, White Nile, Rock Show, and Golden Vein. Chris' father, Mike Tozzi, and brother, Michael Tozzi Jr., are both accomplished musicians who perform and record in the Central Coast part of California.

Tozzi has been compared to the styles of Joe Satriani, but departs in touch and feel by detaching from the normal "shred instrumental guitar player." Inspired by early instrumentalists, such as The Ventures to modern day Steve Vai, as well as contemporary movie and game soundtracks, his fusion of unique sound creates a journey for the listener described as "colliding with the outer reaches of space."

Tozzi's debut album, "Olympus Rising" (Release Date: September 10, 2008) is a mixture of textured rock-driven melodies.

What the Industry Says About Chris Tozzi
"Chris Tozzi takes you through a few mood swings on this tune, and the result is a pretty hip soundtrack to your next breakdown...The spooky Italian interludes add atmosphere--but the harder parts are a fabulous amalgam of melody, tone, technique, and fury."
Michael Molenda, Editor in Chief, Guitar Player Magazine
Review of the song, "The Luxury," in the January 2008 issue