A Special Celebration – Concert Musicians

The following are some of the musicians who have volunteered to perform in the honor concert from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Fran Southworth has been singing since she was five years old, and writing and recording songs since she was fifteen. Her voice became familiar to the American TV and radio audiences through her vocal performance on numerous television and radio commercials, including background vocals for Whitney Houston in the AT&T “True Voice” advertising campaign. She was fortunate to work as an actress and singer on “As The World Turns” soap opera for two years as the character “Jimmie Sue”, a country and western singer, performing over 40 original songs.

As a resident of Westport for the past twenty years, she has performed numerous times at First Night, and for “Broadway on Beachside” for The American Cancer Society. Her other engagements include: The Westport Arts Center’s Third Thursday event, The Levitt Pavilion, The Faces of Achievement Dinner, The Birchwood Country Club, and The Inn at National Hall. Since 1997, she has been organizing and performing in an annual benefit concert to raise money for a handpicked, researched, and worthy charity.

FrannieFaith.com

Jeff Southworth was Hall & Oates guitarist for two years, touring the world and recording the guitar solo on “Kiss on My List”. Jeff’s Clio winning television and radio work includes writing, arranging and producing for Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Wynonna Judd, Ray Charles, Aaron Neville, Leann Rimes and others.

Singer Sharon Bryant was the lead singer in the recording group Atlantic Starr, and has multiple #1 hit songs. She has recorded and/or performed with Elton John, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Alicia Keyes, Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake and the list goes on and on.

Chris Coogan on keyboard and vocals is a jazz and gospel musician whose credits include music director for the jazz guitarist, Sal Salvador. He has played with Dave Liebman, Randy Brecker, Lou Soloff, Jimmy Vivino, Harold Danko, Ronnie Spector, James Naughton, Larry Coryell, Phoebe Show, Jose Feliciano, Bette Midler, Donna Summer, Will Lee, Shawn Pelton, Vanees Thomas, Rob Mathes, Kristen Chenoweth, Joe Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult, and accompanied singers from Chicago and Phantom of the Night. In addition he has done jazz arranging for Teo Maceo, (producer for the late Miles Davis).

Tony Cruz, drummer/percussionist, has performed with many great musicians over the years. His versatility has led to a wide range of genres including performances with Bruce Springsteen, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and shows on Broadway to name a few. He continues to work on his own music and is currently constructing a Web site for all interested in learning and celebrating drums.

Special Appearence by
Donna Kay

The following video is from our March, 2009 Benefit Concert