Meet the Artists
Peter Martin Weiss - bassist - guitarist
Peter began studying the guitar and string bass as a teenager, and later attended Berklee School of Music. He received his Bachelors degree from SUNY Oneonta, and a Masters degree from Manhattan School of Music, One of his greatest mentors was Homer Mensch, former principal bassist of the NY Philharmonic, with whom Peter studied for six years.
Peter became an established bassist on the NYC Jazz scene, also performing with the Bronx Symphony, the Greenwich Village Symphony, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. He taught for five years at the State University of NY at New Paltz on the jazz faculty.
As a long time member of the Etta Jones/Houston Person Quintet, Peter traveled world wide and recorded on over 40 CDs, including his own, Bass Hits, on the Savant record label. The group was like a family, the music swinging and passionate, while performing internationally at jazz festivals and concerts. His 30 years of performance credits include playing with Nat Adderly, Ray Bryant, Winard Harper, Michael Carvin, Claudio Roditi, Donald Harrison, Hank Crawford, Richard Wyands, Gloria Lynn, Frank Wess, Grady Tate, Kenny Washington, Melvin Sparks, Lorez Alexandria, and Della Griffin.
Peter met pianist Jane Hastay in San Francisco while on tour and soon after they were married. The couple collaborated and produced the CD Never Never Land.
Now living in East Hampton, Peter currently teaches private guitar and bass lessons, sings with the Choral Society of the Hamptons and performs locally on bass and nylon string guitar.
Jane Hastay - pianist
After graduating from Mills College in Oakland, CA, where she won the Flora Boyd Memorial award for piano performance, Minnesotan Jane Hastay immersed herself in the San Francisco music scene. She toured Europe with Lilith Theater Company, performed with the Brazilian dance troupe Escola Nova de Samba, played in the American Hawaii Cruise Lines Orchestra, accompanied Concord recording artist Denise Perrier, and had a long standing engagement leading her own trio at the Fairmont Hotel.
One night while Jane was playing in a jazz club, legendary vocalist Etta Jones came in with her bassist Peter Martin Weiss. A long conversation in an all night diner blossomed into letters and long distance phone calls; the two recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary.
After moving to New York Jane received her Masters Degree in Jazz Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music. She continued her performing career at the Blue Note, The Lenox Lounge, The Five Spot, DeFemios and the New Haven and Newark Jazz Festivals. She toured Japan with the all woman Kit McClure Big Band, and also played with Etta Jones, Michael Carvin, Frank Wess, Houston Person, and Della Griffin. Jane has produced many concerts including an International Women in Jazz-sponsored performance at Saint Peter’s Church, featuring Etta Jones.
Jane is currently the director of music and organist at St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Montauk. In addition to her freelancing as a pianist/vocalist she frequently acts as musical director in cabaret shows and theatrical productions including Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along at the Southampton Cultural Center.
Dominic Inferrera - baritone
Mr. Inferrera is equally at home singing opera, oratorio, musical theater, pop, jazz, and contemporary music. He has appeared with Jack Everly and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Oregon Symphony, Utah Festival Opera, Colorado Symphony, Ocean City Pops (New Jersey), and the Naples Philharmonic in Florida with conductor Erich Kunzel, and the Meredith Monk Ensemble.
Mr. Inferrera is a favorite soloist with the Greenwich Village Singers, and the Choral Society of the Hamptons. He enjoys performing contemporary music in venues such as Merkin Hall and the Moscow/St. Petersburg Contemporary Music Society, including frequent collaborations with composer Louis Karchin in pieces such as American Visions, a song cycle on Yevtushenko poetry with the Da Capo Chamber Players, and Orpheus, a masque for baritone, chamber ensemble, and dancers available on Albany Records. Fanfare magazine remarked, “Karchin’s music is not easy to sing and baritone Dominic Inferrera… captures the wide range of expression [he] demands of his singers.”
Lilah Gosman - soprano
Lilah holds a Masters in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Mignon Dunn. Lilah earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Peabody Conservatory where she was a student of Phyllis Bryn-Julson. Lilah is a featured artist in a new opera lecture series, where she performs scenes from various 20th century operas and works with contemporary composers such as Mark Adamo and Robert Aldridge. She maintains a passion for new music and has premiered several new works by contemporary composers.
Toby Altman - Vocalist
Most babies start out babbling words like “Mama & Dada” but Toby Altman’s first words were a jazzy interpretation of the Campbells’ soup commercial, “Mmmmm good.”
Everyone’s journey has different callings and she is simply answering the loudest and clearest one.
Toby has sung at the Blue Note, the Green Street Cafe, and Mikells, in NY, and performed at several annual appearances of the NY Women's Jazz Festival at Lincoln Center. Touring the Caribbean and Asia taught her that the international language is MUSIC. Now Toby has chosen to live on the North Fork where it all began, performing frequently for her community. Most recently she has sung for the 2nd annual “Jazz on the Vine Concerts” on the East End of Long island.
Rebecca Dorsey - Vocalist
Other memorable appearances include La Cave in Paris, Peter Scott’s in Orlando, the Lai Lai Sheraton in Taiwan, and The Bermuda Jazz Cruise Festival. She recently produced a touring original cabaret act, “The Room Above,” a tribute to the spirits in her ancestral Long Island homestead. These days, Rebecca manages to juggle a busy performing career with an active family. Her most devoted fans are her TV producer husband Paul Shavelson, 17 year-old daughter Aria, (who created Rebecca’s bejeweled mic stand) and son Mercer, age 9, a budding pianist, drummer, and violinist.
Having lived in Paris, Rebecca's heartfelt connection to French chansons has received much acclaim. She is thrilled to share her love for all things French in Under Paris Skies.
Stephanie Mocilan - Violinist
Stephanie Mo
cilan began her studies in violin at the age of 11. She placed first in numerous competitions, including a performance at Wolftrap in Alexandria, VA and Congress of Strings, held in Cincinnati, OH. At age 14, Stephanie began performing period music and Highland Fiddling for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in the Historic Area, as well as performing jazz with many of the pianists at the Williamsburg Inn and Lodge. Stephanie received her Bachelors Degree in Music Performance and Education from The College of William & Mary.
Ms. Mocilan gave concerts and high tea recitals at The Governor’s Palace, Burton Parish Church, and the Capital Building. Over the years, she has had the privilege of performing for Queen Elizabeth and U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush Sr. In NYC, Stephanie has appeared as an Irish and Scottish Highland fiddler for the Emerald Society, the St. Andrews Society, at Highland Games and events at Malcolm Forbes’ estate in NJ. Ms. Mocilan’s Long Island concert roster includes the Choral Society of the Hamptons, Peconic Masterworks, Choral Society of the Moriches, Sound Symphony, Long Island Symphonic Choral Assoc. and the Hampton Chamber Orchestra. She directs a Pre-k through 8th Grade Suzuki Strings program at the Our Lady of the Hamptons school. Several of her students attended the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute this summer receiving high commendations.
Joshua South - baritone
Joshua So
uth made his Carnegie Hall debut singing the role of Riff in the New York Philharmonic’s West Side Story Suites. He was a member of the Servant’s Chorus in a semi-staged production of My Fair Lady, starring Kelsey Grammer, Brian Dennehy, and Kelli O’Hara, also with the New York Philharmonic. In the 2006-07 season Joshua appeared in the American premiere of Sir Paul McCartney's oratorio Ecce Cor Meum at Carnegie Hall. He has performed at Avery Fisher Hall with the American Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leon Botstein, and in New York City’s Sacred Music in a Sacred Space concert series.
Ensemble credits include the New York Choral Artists, the Choir of St. Agnatius Loyola, Temple Emanu-El, and Concert Chorale of New York. He is a soloist and cantor for services at the Cathedral of St. Patrick - broadcasted internationally on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. In the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s critically acclaimed staging of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Mr. South’s role as Peter was described as “unforgettable” by the New York Times.
Among other careers in New York Joshua plays piano for the Ballet Academy East, is a professional photographer, and has been seen on the big screen in The Notorious Bettie Page. Television credits include PBS Live from Lincoln Center, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Good Morning America.
Art of Song
Vanessa Trouble - Vocalist
“Vanessa Trouble is a rare talent!”
Jack Lebo, Big Band Report.
Vanessa Tro
uble’s swinging, vivacious style was showcased during her years as lead singer for New York’s Central Park Stompers. She’s been performing for over a decade in New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Atlanta, New Orleans, London, and Paris. She has charmed audiences in Ireland and Norway, and was the headlining artist at the Four Seasons Hotel and the Venetian Hotel & Casino in Macao, China.
Vanessa entertained Jennifer Lopez and friends for the star’s 40th birthday celebration. She has performed for Bill Gates, Clark Terry, Dana Carvey, Penny Marshall, Quincy Jones, Colin Cowie, Melissa Etheridge, Tom Selleck, Ron Perelman, Sheldon Adelson and George Pataki. New York venues include Pierre’s in Bridgehampton, Opia Lounge, Tavern on the Green, The Carlyle Hotel, The Rainbow Room, The New York Stock Exchange, The Bubble Lounge, The Screening Room, Café Deville, Torch, The Grand Havana Room, Cibar, Metronome, and The Mansfield Hotel "M" Bar.
Festivals: Bethlehem, PA Musikfest, The Old Westbury Summer Concert Series, Annual Fleet Week Gala ‘04 aboard the Intrepid Museum. Corporate clients: The Walt Disney Company, Honeywell, Calvin Klein, American Express, Lancôme, SL Green, David Yurman and Microsoft.
Vanessa has given children's educational concerts at New York public schools, and has lent her voice to Nickelodeon’s popular children’s show Blue’s Clues, singing the original song Day Turns Into Night.
CD’s include The Summer Sessions (1999) and Too Darn Hot (2004).
Linda Ciofalo - vocalist
In the mid-80s, she competed with 300 singers to clinch the coveted featured vocalist spot with The Big Band Association 18 piece jazz orchestra. Her love for jazz and arranging led to recording a CD of standards, jazz-pop and original works. Take the High Road was rated 5 stars by Jazzreview.com. It led to performances at major New York clubs such as the Blue Note, Iridium, the 55 Bar, Old Westbury Gardens and the Long Island Distinguished Artists series. Beside headlining with her own groups, Ms. Ciofalo has also shared the stage with jazz legends including her mentors vocalist Mark Murphy and guitarist Les Paul.
Ciofalo released her second CD in the Fall of 2007. Sun Set has received major airplay, and has been voted one of the top Vocal CD's of 2007 by Jazz Police and All About Jazz. Following her release performance at The Kitano, N.Y.C., Linda completed a West Coast Tour and was invited to perform in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Diet Coke Women's Jazz Festival at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola to a sold out crowd.
Linda was recruited by the Lincoln Center Institute/Tilles Center Education Outreach as a Music Teaching Artist in the New York State public school system, and is the head of the jazz vocal program for the Long Island High School for The Arts in Syosset, N.Y. Ciofalo has received awards from NYSCA, NYFA and the National Council of PTA.
Ciofalo's third recording project, Dancing With Johnny, released in the summer of 2010, is one that has always been near and dear to her heart - a Johnny Mercer tribute. "Sassy, Salty and Sultry,” San Francisco Chronicle pick list.
Morris Goldberg - sax & clarinet
New York based
Well known to jazz lovers, Mr. Goldberg won popular acclaim through his featured performances on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album. Goldberg performed with Hugh Masekela, among others, before leaving South Africa to broaden his musical horizons.
In the United States, he attended the Manhattan School of Music and regularly recorded and performed with artists such as Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. He also worked with exiled South African singer, Letta Mbulu. In 1974, Mr. Goldberg returned to Cape Town and participated in Abdullah (Dollar Brand) Ibrahim's recording, "Mannenberg", on which he was featured. In 1991, Goldberg was featured in Hugh Masekela's spectacular homecoming tour, "Sekunjalo", a twenty-date road show that featured Masekela, Bayete and Sankomota.
From 1980 until 1988 Morris traveled and performed with Harry Belafonte. He appeared on three videos. The last one, "An Evening with Harry Belafonte and Friends", was done for PBS and can still be seen on PBS stations throughout the country.
Goldberg attained nationwide acclaim as saxophonist and wind specialist on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" for the six year duration of the television show, from 1996 until 2002. During that time he accompanied many artists such as Tony Bennett, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Barry Manilow, Phil Collins and more.
In 2004 Goldberg did an extensive tour of the USA with Hugh Masekela, playing major jazz festivals and culminating in the Playboy Jazz Festival, which was recorded and aired on WBGO Newark and WLIU Southampton.
In March of 2005 Goldberg performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival with his band "Ojoyo". In 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999, Goldberg returned to South Africa to perform at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown. Morris remains based in New York, but retains strong links with Cape Town and its musicians.
Dick Behrke - trumpet
Dick’s impressive career as a musician, conductor, and award-winning creator of music for TV, radio and industrial film commercials included working with Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., Lena Horn, Ray Charles, Ray Bolger, Wayne Newton, Eubie Blake, Gregory Hines and Patti Austin. Dick recorded 2 singles for Barry Manilo, Somewhere In the Night, and Ready to Take a Chance Again, the theme from the movie Foul Play. In 1989, Frank Sinatra took Behrke’s Pan Am jingle, adding lyrics by Sammy Cahn, and recorded it as a single, Just Say Hello. Dick has won many awards, including six clios (ad industry’s Oscar) and English Ad Council’s Best Song. Today he lives on Shelter Island with his beautiful wife Mickey, and is having a joyful time playing jazz trumpet.
Darcey - vocalist
Vocalist, composer
, arranger, poet and educator Darcey is celebrating her 35th year on her creative journey. As a young singer, she was the house vocalist at Gurney's Inn for 5 years. During that time she performed for celebrities Halston, Dick Cavett, Cheryl Tiegs, Peter Beard, Lauren Hutton, Bill Murray and Martin Scorsese. The experience helped her develop a wide repertoire of songs and styles that now add to her inventive interpretations of jazz standards. Along the way, Darcey has performed in New York, Canada, Mexico, Atlantic City and Washington, D.C.
Her first release in 1999 was a Holiday Jazz CD, "My Favorite Present" which included 3 original holiday songs. "SoulShadows", a Vocal/Guitar eclectic mix, followed in 2008. Darcey’s soon-to-be-released 3rd CD, "I Hear Music,” was recorded live at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center.
For her work with her own company, Love Sent, Darcey gathers tidbits of information about a recipient, then creates a personalized poem and picks the most appropriate song for that occasion. The resulting singing phonegram always invokes a mixture of laughter, tears and smiles across the wires.
Darcey studied music at Five Towns College and the Singers Forum in NYC. Her practice as a music educator includes A Jazz Journey, an interactive program for children where they learn about the history, sound and feel of Jazz. She also leads Performing From the Heart, a vocal and performance master class for girls, and Music Together, an Internationally recognized early childhood music program.