"Back from Berlin" The Singer:

It would be hard to be more "from Minneapolis" than jazz vocalist and recording artist Kara Johnstad. The University of Minnesota Theater Program, the Children’s Theater Company, the Guthrie Theater, have all been stops along her way. Starting in Minneapolis, Kara has travelled the world, and currently makes her home in Berlin, a city she loves.

The cosmopolitan Kara Johnstad takes us with her extraordinarily big voice around the world and back! Kara Johnstad's " exceptionally outstanding voice" (Jazzdimensions) has all the colors of the rainbow. Every tone clear and expressive – modern yet crowded with passionate memory. Sexy, sultry, amazingly powerful yet profoundly intimate. Experience the depth of St. Louis Jazz, the pop sound of Hollywood, the provocative sensuality of Brazil and the introspective tones of India. With her soulful, sweet fusion of international sounds, powerfully intimate performance style and impeccable timing and control over her four octave range the fluid radiant voice leaves her audiences spellbound and longing for more! With her new program entitled "Hollywood Undercover" Ms. Johnstad follows in the tradition of her family, who for several generations worked both in front of and behind the cameras of the Dream Factories. Kara sings newly arranged timeless Classics - great songs from great movies! A world to rediscover, romantic imaging stirs our imagination. Kara Johnstad´s new Cd "Human Touch" will showcase her talents as a lyricist and songwriter. Not only noted as a world class singer, fans adore her for her own works, her honesty and compositional purity of line. "Winter Has Come", "Falling October", "Smoked Out Blues" and "Song of India" are only some of her much requested original material. Critics gladly compare her voice with those of Barbra Streisand or Judy Garland. She touches the heart and soul of her audience and encore after encore literally brings down the house!

"Kara Johnstad... one huge chunk of pure emotion! " (BILD Germany´s biggest newspaper)

via e mail at patrick@patrickscully.org or by phone, 612 205-1512

"Back from Berlin" The Pianist:

Steven Gross is a native New Yorker. His Broadway conducting credits include A Chorus Line, Cats, Into the Woods, Phantom of the Opera and The Life. He has also conducted the New York City Opera productions of Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music. Off-Broadway and Regional theater credits include: The Manhattan Theater Club, Coconut Grove Playhouse (Miami), The Alliance Theater, (Atlanta), and The St. Louis Repertory Theater. Steven made his European conducting debut in 1991 at the Hamburg State Opera House, and over the years has commuted” between the USA and Europe fulfilling various musical, operatic and concert obligations. He has had the pleasure of conducting in such cities as London, Paris, Tel Aviv, Rio de Janiero and Zurich, and has led the European premieres of several Broadway musicals, most recently the European premiere of Urinetown in Berlin. He met Kara during his tenure as chief conductor of the Berlin’s Theater des Westens, the largest German state supported musical theater. In addition to his work as conductor and pianist, he also works actively as an orchestrator and arranger, and his currently composing his first musical about the life of Vaclav Nijinsky, the world famous ballet dancer.

"Back from Berlin" The Producer:

Local impresario Patrick Scully is back from Berlin. Love doesn't always work out. Too bad for Patrick. But Berlin's loss is Minneapolis' gain, with the return of this animator of our cultural scene. Not only has Patrick returned, but for this night he is bringing back artists of international caliber to share the stage he created at Patrick's Cabaret. In addition to producing this concert, Patrick is currently producing "best kept secret" events with Brant Kingman, and working with fellow impresario Jason McLean on the reopening of the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown. In addition to his work as a producer/presenter Patrick is at work on two new projects "Walt Whitman: The Word Made Flesh", and "Legacies". Patrick has Jupiter in his second house, so ask him what new wonderful big things are going on.

What the world has said about Kara Johnstad:

»Kara Johnstad places each tone with such feeling... Blue note at its best!« Stern, Hamburg

»The voice of Kara Johnstad is simply outstanding. It doesn´t matter whether she soars into the beyond or whispers like an angel. One understands fully that she must have trained a long time and with success.« Jazzdimensions

»Kara Johnstad has left the stylistic boundaries behind her in every genre, and instead carried through what suits her the best: Her ideas!« zitty, Berlin

»Holy Moly! ! What a voice...« Bild

»... the American singer offers everything from jazz ballads to Brazilian samba rhythms, all that a jazz lover´s heart desires. Beautiful voice, beautiful woman, beautiful music..« TIP, Berlin

»Music knows no barriers, Kara Johnstad advertises for modern Malaysia with her enormously powerful and multi-colored voice with her recording of ”Truly Asia”...« New Strait Times, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

»Pages Of Sand – Finally another CD from Berlin with an international format. These songs, recorded at the A-trane Studio with the powerfully strong and dynamic voice of Kara and her established musicians, are best listened to while riding around in a big car through nocturnal New York or even Berlin and reminiscing old Frank Sinatra films!« Concert Guide, Berlin

What the world has said about Steven Gross:

Musical direction:

for Pirates of Penzance:
Steven Gross’ new arrangements would absolutely delight Gilbert and Sullivan. The New York Times

for Gypsy:
The Combination of song, dance and music (Steven Gross) works every second. It doesn’t get any better than this. Die Welt am Sonntag

for The Life:
Steven Gross, proven conductor of many successful musicals, keeps the show swinging and adds his own special touch which increases the already high level of musicality to that of absolutely outstanding. German Press Agency

for Speak Low: The Music of Kurt Weill: Steven Gross leads his ensemble in an extraordinary evening of Kurt Weill’s music. The London Financial Times

Conducting:

for the Verdi Requiem:
A superb Sanctus, gorgeous pianissimi...Steven Gross conducts the Requiem with precision and passion. Le Miroir (Marseilles)

for Stravinski’'s A Soldiers Tale:
A devilish and ironic performance under the direction of Steven Gross. Hamburger Morgenpost

for George Gershwin Concert:
This NDR Big Band swings under Steven Gross’ direction. German Press Agency

for Music of the Americas Concert:
The entire evening, soloists & orchestra, under Steven Gross was thoroughly enjoyable. Sao Paolo Times

for Mozart in Prague:
The chamber orchestra under Steven Gross’ direction played excellently. Prague English Daily