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SPAULDING ENTERTAINMENT
SPECIALIZING IN CORPORATE EVENTS.
ARTISTS
Doug Carn
Organist | Pianist | Lyricist | Composer | Arranger
Doug Carn is a legendary jazz musician, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist, composer, and producer. Best known for his 1971–1973 recordings on the Black Jazz label (Infant Eyes, Spirit of the New Land, Revelation), his works, including 1974's Adam's Apple, are celebrated for blending spiritual jazz, progressive soul, post-bop, and improvisation. In 1977, after converting to Islam, he released Al Rahman! Cry of the Floridian Tropic Son, merging African American musical roots with Muslim cultural elements.
After a hiatus, Carn resumed recording in 1990 with Virgo and in 2001 released A New Incentive: Firm Roots. He later formed the West Coast Organ Band, releasing My Spirit (2015) and Free for All (2019). In 2020, he collaborated with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge on Doug Carn JID005.
Carn has also drawn inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Coltrane, and Muhammad Ali and has written lyrics for works by Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, and Wayne Shorter.
Doug Carn is a legendary jazz musician, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist, composer, and producer. Best known for his 1971–1973 recordings on the Black Jazz label (Infant Eyes, Spirit of the New Land, Revelation), his works, including 1974's Adam's Apple, are celebrated for blending spiritual jazz, progressive soul, post-bop, and improvisation. In 1977, after converting to Islam, he released Al Rahman! Cry of the Floridian Tropic Son, merging African American musical roots with Muslim cultural elements.
After a hiatus, Carn resumed recording in 1990 with Virgo and in 2001 released A New Incentive: Firm Roots. He later formed the West Coast Organ Band, releasing My Spirit (2015) and Free for All (2019). In 2020, he collaborated with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge on Doug Carn JID005.
Carn has also drawn inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Coltrane, and Muhammad Ali and has written lyrics for works by Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, and Wayne Shorter.
Giorgio & Yolanda
Musician | Violinist | Educator
Giorgio Michopoulos is a classically trained violinist with over 35 years of experience performing in orchestras, bands, and as a solo artist. Born into a family of musicians and artists, Giorgio attended some of the most prestigious music schools in Europe, where he honed his extraordinary talent for the violin and piano. He earned a Diploma and Master’s Degree in Violin in 1990, a Piano Diploma the same year, and a Master’s in Orchestra Conducting in 1995 from the Music Conservatory Licinio Refice in Italy. Furthering his expertise, Giorgio obtained a Master’s in Piano Jazz in 2002 from Prayner Conservatory in Austria and completed Piano Jazz Master Classes in 2004 at the Manhattan School of Music.
In addition to his stellar performance career, Giorgio is a dedicated music educator. He has inspired countless students as a teacher of violin, piano, and guitar, encouraging their progress through a blend of classical and jazz techniques. Giorgio has guided students to achieve success in lessons, recitals, and competitions, fostering both technical skill and artistic expression.
His passion and talent have earned him significant accolades, including being named Best Music Entertainer by Best SJ Magazine in 2019 and Outstanding Musician by Burlington County Magazine (NJ). Giorgio’s artistry continues to captivate audiences and inspire students, bridging the richness of classical tradition with the vibrancy of modern innovation.
Yolanda Michopoulos
BIO
Giorgio Michopoulos is a classically trained violinist with over 35 years of experience performing in orchestras, bands, and as a solo artist. Born into a family of musicians and artists, Giorgio attended some of the most prestigious music schools in Europe, where he honed his extraordinary talent for the violin and piano. He earned a Diploma and Master’s Degree in Violin in 1990, a Piano Diploma the same year, and a Master’s in Orchestra Conducting in 1995 from the Music Conservatory Licinio Refice in Italy. Furthering his expertise, Giorgio obtained a Master’s in Piano Jazz in 2002 from Prayner Conservatory in Austria and completed Piano Jazz Master Classes in 2004 at the Manhattan School of Music.
In addition to his stellar performance career, Giorgio is a dedicated music educator. He has inspired countless students as a teacher of violin, piano, and guitar, encouraging their progress through a blend of classical and jazz techniques. Giorgio has guided students to achieve success in lessons, recitals, and competitions, fostering both technical skill and artistic expression.
His passion and talent have earned him significant accolades, including being named Best Music Entertainer by Best SJ Magazine in 2019 and Outstanding Musician by Burlington County Magazine (NJ). Giorgio’s artistry continues to captivate audiences and inspire students, bridging the richness of classical tradition with the vibrancy of modern innovation.
Yolanda Michopoulos
BIO
Suzette Ortiz
Harpist | Pianist | Composer | Choral Conductor | Educator
Suzzette Ortiz, originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, is a celebrated pianist, composer, conductor, and educator. With over 30 years of experience, she has performed at prestigious venues such as the Kimmel Center, Clifford Brown Festival, Zanzibar Blue, and internationally at the FestiJazz in Bolivia, Cuba, and Ghana. She has shared stages with legends like Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Brenda K. Starr and studied under renowned musicians including Cesar "Pupi" Pedroso and Jimmy Amadie.
A dedicated educator, Ortiz earned her Bachelor’s in Piano Performance from El Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico and a Master’s in Education and Composition from Temple University. Her 27-year teaching career at Camden’s Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy saw her students win national and international awards, including gold medals in Italy and Ghana. She’s been named Teacher of the Year multiple times and received numerous commendations for her contributions to music education.
Suzzette’s original Latin jazz album, Renacer, showcases her unique blend of world and Latin jazz influences. Her compositions have been recorded and published by notable entities like Hal Leonard and J.W. Pepper. Currently, she teaches part-time, provides harp comfort music as a certified music practitioner, and is working on a memoir to guide new urban music educators.
Through her music and teaching, Suzzette Ortiz continues to inspire change and share a message of hope and love.
Suzzette Ortiz, originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, is a celebrated pianist, composer, conductor, and educator. With over 30 years of experience, she has performed at prestigious venues such as the Kimmel Center, Clifford Brown Festival, Zanzibar Blue, and internationally at the FestiJazz in Bolivia, Cuba, and Ghana. She has shared stages with legends like Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Brenda K. Starr and studied under renowned musicians including Cesar "Pupi" Pedroso and Jimmy Amadie.
A dedicated educator, Ortiz earned her Bachelor’s in Piano Performance from El Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico and a Master’s in Education and Composition from Temple University. Her 27-year teaching career at Camden’s Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy saw her students win national and international awards, including gold medals in Italy and Ghana. She’s been named Teacher of the Year multiple times and received numerous commendations for her contributions to music education.
Suzzette’s original Latin jazz album, Renacer, showcases her unique blend of world and Latin jazz influences. Her compositions have been recorded and published by notable entities like Hal Leonard and J.W. Pepper. Currently, she teaches part-time, provides harp comfort music as a certified music practitioner, and is working on a memoir to guide new urban music educators.
Through her music and teaching, Suzzette Ortiz continues to inspire change and share a message of hope and love.
JAFFNA Ensemble
Jaffna is an acoustic ensemble that plays oddly familiar ethnic music steeped in the improvisational modal traditions of the east.
The JAFFNA Ensemble performs Kadal Karai at the CourtyardDancers Facing East event in Nov 2023 at the Performance Garage, Philadelphia. This upbeat composition from Branavan Ganesan translates to "sea side" and evokes a joyous holiday atmosphere.
JAFFNA is Roger Mgrdichian (oud), Raji Malik (guitar), Branavan Ganesan (dhol) and Joseph Tayoun (dumbek)
The JAFFNA Ensemble performs Kadal Karai at the CourtyardDancers Facing East event in Nov 2023 at the Performance Garage, Philadelphia. This upbeat composition from Branavan Ganesan translates to "sea side" and evokes a joyous holiday atmosphere.
JAFFNA is Roger Mgrdichian (oud), Raji Malik (guitar), Branavan Ganesan (dhol) and Joseph Tayoun (dumbek)
More To Come!
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