Summer Breeze: Yacht Rock Classics

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Paul Loren has always been steeped in the classic American songbook. Loren launched his solo career with a string of sold-out shows in New York City at famed venue Joe’s Pub at the Public with his ‘One-Night Only Band’ in early 2014. His first solo single, “All By Myself,” released in 2015, was supported by radio stations Lightning100 in Nashville, SiriusXM’s The Pulse, WCOO/Charleston and KPND/ Spokane, among others.

A six-song debut EP came in 2016, Paul Loren Is…Available!, featuring swing-era covers of classic songs by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. 2017 saw the release of the single and video for the original song, “I Know A Place,” inspired by Civil Rights-era anthems and “evoking the somber hope of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World.” (HuffPost) A slew of singles followed, including the 50’s-inspired “(Gonna Take) A Little Time,” with its accompanying whimsical video filmed at Brooklyn’s The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club and premiering on Parade.com. During this time, Loren was personally selected by Jennifer Lopez to perform at her Birthday Gala in Las Vegas; appeared on “The Tonight Show” starring Jimmy Fallon, partnered with The Ryan Seacrest Foundation; performed at the legendary STAX Museum in Memphis Tennessee; and recorded in the world-renowned Sun Studio. He has opened for and supported touring artists including: The Temptations; singer-songwriter Brendan James; American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks; folk singer and guitarist David Bromberg; British soul singer James Hunter; and has shared the stage with Paul Shaffer, Queen Latifah, Christie Brinkley and food personality Giada De Laurentiis.

With his 22-song collection Betwixt & Between, Paul has pivoted in a new and exciting musical direction. The songs traffic in a depth and brutal honesty not found in his earlier material. “While his earlier material put him on the map, Loren’s heightened, and at times devastating, lyricism set against an upbeat groove-based sonic backdrop sets the LP as a career milestone.” (American Songwriter). Through it all, he ties together the more profound lyrical territory with a blazing rhythm section that feels rearing and ready to hit the road again.

Tony Vincent is a recording artist, actor, and producer whose career has spanned more than two decades across New York City, London, and Nashville. He first gained national attention as a finalist on NBC’s The Voice, after releasing two major-label albums rooted in indie-pop.

Vincent moved into rock-based musical theater soon after, performing on Broadway in RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Green Day’s American Idiot. He also appeared in the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar and Andrew Lloyd Webber: Masterpiece (Live from Beijing).

In London’s West End, he originated the role of Galileo Figaro in We Will Rock You, Queen’s theatrical production. That collaboration led to a global broadcast performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody” for Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, seen by more than 200 million viewers.

Today, he performs internationally—headlining concerts, symphonic shows, and private events—while also running his South Nashville studio, SoundShop370. There, he works with artists as a producer, writer, and collaborator, and leads a hands-on artist development program for emerging vocalists, musicians, and musical theater performers.

Brie Cassil, a versatile singer, actor, and composer, has captivated audiences worldwide with her remarkable talent. As a child, she nurtured her passion for music by performing in school shows and solos with her high school orchestra. After graduating, she moved to New York City, where she has graced the stages of numerous musical productions.

Cassil’s versatility is evident in her portrayal of iconic characters like Mimi in RENT, Little Sally in Urinetown, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and Suzy in the off-Broadway cast of The Marvelous Wonderettes. Her remarkable ability to seamlessly transition between various musical styles, including rock, opera, pop, and musical theater, has allowed her to perform on some of the world’s most prestigious stages.

From leading musical workshops in Brazil to opening for renowned artists like ADLER, Cassil’s international performances have taken her across the globe. She has had the privilege of performing on the grand stages of hundreds of theaters, including the iconic Nassau Colosseum and the legendary Carnegie Hall.

Driven by her deep gratitude for the opportunity to pursue her passion and share her voice with the world, Cassil continues to travel and perform, spreading joy and inspiration through her music.

Shubh Saran is a New York-based guitarist, composer, and producer who has performed globally with his band throughout the United States, India, Canada, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Mexico. Having grown up in six different countries, his career has been shaped by a mixture of influences. Saran’s intricate compositions fuse sounds from modern jazz, neo-soul, and rock with classical and contemporary Indian music.  In October 2021, Saran independently released his second full-length album and fourth overall release titled inglish – a groundbreaking work that explores concepts of assimilation, global identity, and native culture.  

Pitchfork described inglish as “a heartfelt exploration of the ups and downs of being part of the world’s fastest-growing floating tribe—part global citizen, part cultural refugee,” and named the album to its list of Best Jazz and Experimental Music of 2021.  DownBeat described inglish as a “scintillating musical brew,” and awarded the album three and a half stars. Before moving to New York City to start his music career, Saran studied at Berklee College of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. In 2017, Saran made his critically acclaimed debut with the release of Hmayra, and later followed up with H.A.D.D. (2018), and Becoming (2019). Throughout his career as a recording artist, each release has represented a different introspection for Saran.

Chris Kuffner has been a professional bassist Guitarist and music producer for over 20 years. He has performed or recorded with such visionary artists as Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson, David Byrne, Sara Bareilles, Jason Mraz, A Great Big World, Jenny Owen Youngs and Joanne Shaw Taylor. His playing and production work has also been featured on commercial campaigns for Hershey’s, Old Navy, and Cheerios.

Chris loves working with Greenberg Artists and Schirmer Theatrical, and has played Bass or Guitar for many of their pops concert programs from the Revolution: The Music Of The Beatles to Dancing In The Street: The Music of Motown, the Paul Simon Songbook to Disco Divas, Summer Breeze: Yacht Rock Classics to Back To The ‘80s. Chris loves performing all of this amazing repertoire with symphonies in America and beyond.

“What Greenberg Artists and Schirmer Theatrical have created and curated is beautiful. All the shows are expertly arranged to showcase the orchestra and bring the best of modern popular music to this setting. Symphonic music needs pops concerts to continue to thrive and I’m grateful to play a small part in that. Hope you enjoy!”

Eric Metzgar is an in-demand drummer and versatile collaborator who offers his musicianship to various jazz/pop artists and symphony orchestras worldwide. He has had the opportunity to play with numerous first-rate performers including Jeff Tyzik, Sutton Foster, Joe Locke, Jimmy Greene, Shayna Steele, Byron Stripling, and Delfeayo Marsalis.

Metzgar is a passionate educator deeply invested in music teaching and learning. Each summer, he teaches at the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop under the direction of saxophonist Alexa Tarantino. He maintains a private studio and serves as a clinician at grade schools and universities.

Metzgar holds a BM in Drum Set Performance and an MM in Music Teaching and Learning from the Eastman School of Music. He lives in New York City and tours frequently around the world.