Kristin Sponcia is a pianist, vocalist, composer and teacher who is from Milwaukee but now lives in Chicago. Her career has focused on teaching and performing American jazz. ME: How did you get involved with Wisconsin Music Ventures? KRISTIN: It was through a friend of mine, Marcya Daneille, who was already a member. She suggested … More Spotlight of the Week: Kristin Sponcia
Linda Binder is a violinist and mandolinist whose performed with a number of ensembles in the Milwaukee and Chicago area. Among her groups have been Smith & Binder, PaVda, Toco Rio and The Lake Mandolin Quartet. ME: How did you get involved with Wisconsin Music Ventures? LINDA: Steve Smith, who I play in a jazz … More Spotlight of the Week: Linda Binder
Cosmic Endeavors are a jazz band formed in August 2020. Originally beginning as an instrumental group, they were able to reach new horizons with the addition of vocalist and producer Demetri Rogers. They’ve been exploring time and space since. I spoke to Julian Singh, the drummer and pianist. ME: How did Cosmic Endeavors get involved … More Spotlight of the Week: Cosmic Endeavors
B.D. Greer is a vocalist with a background in R&B, jazz, blues, and soul. Originally from Wisconsin, she lived in New York for 21 years before returning to Wisconsin in 2020. She’s been making a name for herself in and around Milwaukee since. ME: How did you get involved with Wisconsin Music Ventures? BD: So, … More Spotlight of the Week: B.D. Greer
Keith Watling is a jazz guitarist and instructor who has performed both solo and in ensemble. He is one half of the duo String Theory, who do an eclectic range of covers encompassing jazz, blues, Latin, and classic rock. ME: How did you get involved with Wisconsin Music Ventures? KEITH: Well, it was quite some … More Spotlight of the Week: Keith Watling
Mike Neumeyer is a percussionist, composer, and teacher who has been writing and recording music for over 20 years. He’s a faculty member at Milwaukee Area Technical College and also works with the Oak Creek marching band. His primary instruments he records compositions with are the marimba and vibraphone, both of which he’s released many … More Spotlight of the Week: Mike Neumeyer
Suzanne Grzanna wears many hats. She’s a saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, publisher, and producer who has won over seventy awards for a wide range of work in the last few years. She’s a member of the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, and Guild of Music Supervisors. She also runs her own label Diva Records and has released … More Spotlight of the Week: Suzanne Grzanna
Dave Schoepke is a composer and drummer known for playing with The Willy Porter Band since 2002. He also plays in soul-blues band Tweed, heads the improv recording project Blank Radio, is a session musician, and releases music of his own. Last year he released his album “Tessellated Resonance” which was all his original drum … More Spotlight of the Week: Dave Schoepke
Marcya Daneille is a classically trained vocalist and voice coach who specializes in jazz, soul, and gospel. She’s studied in Italy and England, taught in New York, and had contracts with opera companies in Chicago before ultimately settling in Milwaukee. I was excited to find out that she grew up in the south Chicago suburb … More Spotlight of the Week: Marcya Daneille
J Ryan Trio are a longstanding group that plays jazz standards as well as familiar blues tunes in and around the Milwaukee entertainment sphere. I sat down with two members, Alissa Weber and Ryan Janscha, only to learn that there’s a bit more to them than the word “trio” implies. ME: So, to start – … More Spotlight of the Week: J Ryan Trio
