Stéphanie Morales graduated in classical singing and musical comedy at the Wiener Musikhochschule in Austria. She made her debut stage at the Mozart Festival in Schönbrunn.
Back in France, she joined the troupe of the National Opera of Lyon. There she played leading roles in Werther, The Bat, The Magic Flute, Orpheus in The Underworld, Carmen and Così Fan Tutte. All under renowned musical and scenic directions.
Noted for her qualities as a performer by composers such as Fabio Vacchi, Hugues Dufourt, André Serre Milan and Gérard Maimone – Stéphanie created several roles.
Stéphanie was last season’s “Heart of Tiger” by Fabrice Jünger. Recently,
Stéphanie Morales has put her talents to the service of Barbra Streisand’s repertoire.
Surrounded by the best jazzmen of the Lyon scene, she founded Broadway Station. Moreover she co-wrote the show So Streisand So Sinatra alongside André Fornier. She is currently preparing a Tribute to Barbra Streisand where Joachim Expert will make the arrangements.
Also passionate about vocal pedagogy, Stéphanie Morales was a singing teacher at the Conservatory of Valencia. But also for the Pueri Cantores of Lyon and a vocal consultant at Disneyland Paris.
Frédéric has been making music since the age of nine, starting with the piano and percussion. Thanks to that, he won a first prize at the CNSMD de Lyon.
At the age of nineteen, Frédéric Gignoux became a leading singer in a variety group and began to perform on the Paris’ scene.
Since that day, he multitasked between being a singer and a musician. Such as working in formation as diverse as the jazz trio. He worked with New-Orleans Quartet Jazz with Gilles Rémy Jazz Band, Big Band. But also with Vocal Jazz Quartet with Avoixcadabra, the Baroque and Classical Polyphonic ensembles. Moreover, he also worked with the Lyon Opera and the Lyon National Orchestra. A contemporary percussion ensembles, doing vocal and theatrical performances – both on stage and in the studio.
He collaborated in many artistic projects and became lead singer of Sunny Band 2002. He then created his own group GI’s Jazz Band in 2008 and the Lyon Pocket Jazz Band in 2010.
He is the leader of the “Joachim Expert Trio”, and of a quintet of the same name/ He is the co-creator of “Rendez-Vous” (Classical and Jazz meeting) – whose repertoires are based on his compositions.
Moreover, the pianist was laureate of the “JAZZ (s) RA” contest (formerly Follow the Jazz) and finalist of “Jazz à la Défense” (Paris) with his quintet.
Joachim was also a part of: “Sydéral Groove” (1st part of Macéo Parker, Funk), “La Famillia” (Salsa), “The Molecule Tif” (Latin Jazz), “Jean Thomas Quartet”. Moreover, he was part of “Big Band of Luc Fenoli”. He accompanied: Pierre Drevet, Tony Rabeson, Guillaume Poncelet, David Murray, Doudou N’Diaye Rose, Riccardo Del Fra. But also Laurent Blumenthal, Gilles Lachenal, Lonnie Plaxico, David Linx and François Gallix. Joachim collaborated as a pianist and composer in different classical ensembles, as well as in plays or musicals.
Joachim is now the pianist of the bands: “Max Ferrauto Quartet”, “B side”, “Un p’tit tour de Brel”, “Alone Together” . He forms a duo “Agnès Fournière and Joachim Expert” for whom he composes and arranges.
Jean-Louis Almosnino started the guitar at the age of 10 and discovered Jazz, Classical music. He now plays all major styles of the twentieth century’s guitar. Jean-Louis later enrolled at the CIM in Paris for 3 years with Pierre Cullaz. A period during which he deeply studies Jazz.
During this time, he participated in several concerts and festivals. Soon after that, he started teaching at the AIMRA of Lyon (second school of Jazz in France after the CIM). He played in groups and various formation composed of French, American, Swiss, Italian musicians. He played in concerts, clubs, festivals, in France, abroad, with formation ranging from Duo to Big Band. He continued his formation with musicians such as: Bill Dobbins, Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach, John Abercrombie, John Scofield, Kenny Werner.
Nowadays, he continues his career as a musician after teaching for more than 20 years at the Conservatoires of Lyon, Chambery, Chalon-sur-Saone and Bourgoin-Jallieu.
Trained at the CNR of Lyon, Brice studied classical double bass and jazz.
In 2006, Brice Berrerd gets both DEM. Attracted by trios, he plays punctually with pianists Eric Teruel and Mario Stanchev. He actively participates in other projects of the French and international scene (Olivier Truchot, Pink Petticoat …). He is invited in many Jazz festivals.
As a talented double bass player, Brice contributes to the musicality of Broadway Station thanks to an always relevant game – both in his role of accompanist and soloist.
It was at the age of four that Marc Michel was introduced to music. Especially to the guitar that he learned as an autodidact thanks to his father – a folk guitarist.
He began playing drums at the age of ten, studying classical percussion, studying chamber music and writing at the same time. Disciplines in which he won several conservatory awards (Clermont-Ferrand, Lyon, and Paris).
After studying with great masters such as Ari Hoenig, Clarence Penn, Bill Stewart and Jeff Watts – he was offered a spot and a scholarship for a master’s degree in Jazz. This spot was offered at the Royal Academy of Music in London. There, he mixes and plays with Larry Goldings, Dave Holland, Will Vinson, Nikki Isles, John Taylor, John Hollenbeck among others. He played in prestigious clubs of the city like Ronnie’s Scott, The Vortex, Oliver’s etc.
Marc Michel has also been working for years with great Jazzmen from the French and international scene. He has toured in Italy, Croatia, England (Queen Elizabeth Hall), Spain, Switzerland, Germany and in French clubs. Outstanding in impeccable technique, polyrhythmic fluency and musicality, he is also a composer. He is drawing his inspiration from the cultures he has encountered on his way. Versatile, he also plays the guitar, the piano and classical percussions.
In 2013, he recorded the album “Genesi” with EYM Trio. Together, they will be laureates, in 2015, of the young talents springboard of the Jazz Festival in Saint Germain des Prés. But also of the national competition of the Defense Jazz Festival as well as the Jazz Festival in Gexto.
Member of the Order of Musicians of Brazil (OMB), he was born in 1980 in Rio de Janeiro. Zaza Desiderio started playing music at the age of eight. He first learned the guitar and then became a professional drummer at sixteen with local bands.
Strongly influenced by jazz and Latin rhythms, this carioca drummer delivers us a powerful and precise play. It directly connects the public to the sweet and energetic sounds of samba.
For the past few years, Zaza has been one of the most sought-after drummers in Rio de Janeiro and is considered one of the revelations of the Carioca instrumental music scene.
His ability to adapt to different musical styles and his maturity lead to various collaborations. With artists such as: Raul de Souza, Idriss Boudrioua, Philippe Baden Powel, Nelson Veras, Viale, Ray Lema, Marcia Maria, Maestro Paulo Moura, Mauricio Einhorn, Harvey Wainapell, Leny Andrade, Cliff Korman, the Rio Jazz Orchestra…
After classical music studies, Christophe is seized by passion for Jazz and double bass. After graduating from the ENM of Villeurbanne, he became a popular sideman of the Lyon scene. Scene he shared with Eric Prost, Stéphane Foucher, Olivier Truchot, Philippe Roche, Mario Stantchev. Christophe is led to perform in France and abroad.
With the drummer Sangoma Everett and the pianist Emil Spanyi, he accompanies the American singer Lavelle on many European stages. Such as the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2013 and the Tangier Jazz festival, Porquerolles festival.
These concerts gave him the opportunity to share the stage with renowned guest musicians. For instance, Archie Shepp, Jacques Schwartz-Bart, Jean Toussaint). A disc was released in 2012 (Lavelle “Special”, Label “Farther music”).
In 2014, Sangoma Everett invited him to form a trio with the pianist Bastien Brison. The project is realized by the release of the disc “Debi” (label Naïve, 2015) and several concerts. For example, at the Amphi opera of Lyon with the harmonicist Grégoire Maret. But also the Festival of the Duc des Lombards in Paris, Bürghausen International Jazzwoche with the trumpet player Enrico Rava and the harmonica player Olivier Ker Ourio).
His eclectic musical tastes also led him to travel the world with the acoustic pop group Elonakane, with whom he will give more than a thousand concerts.
In parallel with his activity as a musician, Christophe is a double bass and bass teacher at the conservatories of Vienne and Meyzieu in the Lyon area
André Fornier likes to take theater on another level. After 35 years of career, this director stays faithful to his principles. He constantly innovates the relationship between his directing and his audience.
It all started in 1978 when he created Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter in a clothing store in New York. Every night after closing time, it was turned into a theater. At Syracuse University in New York, during his theatrical studies, he met Peter Brook. For him, he was therefore a fundamental source of inspiration in his future work.
From 1984 to 1988, André Fornier worked as a theater director and trainer at the Rhône-Alpes Theater Action Center.
From 1987 to 2010, he was an artistic director and created the stagings of the Fort de Bron Biennale. It was at that same time he became a member of the SACD for the writing of his texts and future opera librettos.
In 1986, André began a long-term residency at the Théâtre de Vienne. It is there, in 1994, that he will create his first musical: La Périchole d’Offenbach. It was conceived in a logic of chamber music. This one tours successfully in France and in the Paris area thanks to Caroline Sonrier (IFOB).
In 1995, he founded the company Opera Theater where it lived at the Théâtre de Villefranche-sur- Saône for ten years.
The Child in the Shadows, an opera composed by Didier Puntos whose booklet he signed. It was co-produced by the Opéra de Lyon, the Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain and the Lyon / Bernard Tétu Choir.
With Victor Ullmann’s Der Kaiser von Atlantis, he collaborated with renowned conductors. Conductors such as Graziella Contratto and Jean-Claude Casadesus.
With the creation of History of the Soldier of Stravinsky, the company is endowed by the State of a capital of 400 places. Moreover, from 2005 to 2012, André Fornier created operas in this semi-circular space.
With shows such as Onegin Intimate, in collaboration with Carpe Diem Ensemble and La Zingara, created with the Paladins of Jerome Correas, it offered the public an exceptional proximity to artists. With Tosca and Bastien Bastienne, his latest creations – he returned to chamber operas.
In the continuity of his research around the enunciation between spoken and singing text and music, he built a new artistic project. Later on, he built a project with the AFTM (André Fornier Musical Theater). This new structure – that he created in 2016, revolves between the musical and theater relationships. As defined by Bertold Brecht and Mauricio Kagel – will lead to the iconic creation of Coeur de Tigre (2017/2018).
Sébastien started dancing at the age of 10. His technical and artistic background is multidisciplinary. First of all, he trained for several years in ballroom and rock dance, and then for 8 years in national and international competitions.
He is also developing his jazz technique with Sophie Jové (State graduate). ANd his classical music with Anne-Marie Lemaitre and Pascale Courdioux in Lyon.
At the same time, he discovered the world of Irish dance and decided to improve in this discipline during many internships in France and abroad. His teachers includes Joanne Doyle (former main dancer of Riverdance), David Bellwood and currently with Marcus Maloney, former Riverdance dancer. But also a graduate of the TCRG (diploma recognized by the Irish commission “An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha”).
It is in August 2001 that he created his first structure “Irish tap and Dance” in which he taught the Irish dances and clappers until 2008.
All this experience has allowed him to integrate different Cabaret Reviews. He has been working in the shows Sandy Sims since 2004. But also in the magazine “Divines Fantaisies” and various Operetta with Compagnie CALA since 2009.
In 2008, he founded the SIDH DANCE COMPANY, an Irish dance and tap company. A company where he acts as the lead dancer, choreographer and teacher.
A show was born in this company “Legend’Eire: Music and Irish Dance” and a new one is being created “Irish Spirit” – a small musical on the Irish background.
Always in a spiritual evolution, he went to New York City to attend an intensive training at the Broadway Dance Center. There he studied musicals and trained in Bob Fosse technique with Diana Laurenson and many other teachers.
His classes were theater. With people like Lainie Munro Al Blackstone, Jacob Brent, Jim Cooney, Justin Boccitto and James Kinney. Morever, there was singing classes with Bettina Sheppart and Eddie Schnecker. But also ballet with Matthew Powell, Beth Goheen, Darius Hochman and Dorit Kippel. As well as tap-dancing with Germaine Salsberg, Michelle Dorance, Lainie Munro. In addition there was acting with Bronwer Carson ans contemporary dance withTracie Stanfield, Manuel Vignoulle.