Faith Winthrop, voice.
Faith Winthrop, San Francisco's grande dame of song, is one of the most respected singers and vocal coaches on the scene today. Her beautiful tone and sensitive lyric interpretation grace jazz and cabaret music. She began singing professionally in Boston in 1953, then launched her West Coast career as singer-in-residence at the legendary hungry i, performing with such luminaries as Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Jonathan Winters and Woody Allen. While keeping San Francisco as her home, she appeared at the foremost jazz and cabaret clubs, such as the fabled London House and Mr. Kelly's in Chicago, and the Blue Angel and Village Vanguard in New York. Winthrop called an intermission to her skyrocketing career to marry and raise a family, and to begin her teaching career. She became a faculty member of the music department at Mill College and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she teaches vocal jazz and musical theater performance. At her private studio, she has coached many noted singers including Ben Vereen, Al Jarreau, Holly Near, Paula West, Lavay Smith, and Jacqui Naylor. Faith continues to be active as a performer, at such venues as the Plush Room, the Mabel Mercer Foundation Cabaret Convention and New York's Town Hall.
Mike Greensill, piano.
After graduating from Leeds College of Music in England, Mike toured Europe and the Far East, finally settling into his adopted home, San Francisco in 1977. Well known in his role as musical director to Wesla Whitfield with whom he has recorded fifteen albums, Mike is also resident piano player on Sedge Thomson’s weekly radio show to the world, "West Coast Live." He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the White House, and as an arranger has had the opportunity to write for big bands and symphony orchestras including the Boston Pops and the San Francisco Symphony. “Greensill is an accompanist in the great tradition of Jimmy Rowles and Ellis Larkins.”
John Wiitala, bass.
One of the most in demand bassists in the Bay Area, John has played with Jessica Williams, Mark Levine, Akira Tana, Vince Lateano, Wesla Whitfield, Madeline Eastman, Bruce Forman and Jackie Ryan, among many others.