PERFORMERS
ROYCE MARTIN
Royce Martin is a pianist, composer and 2022 graduate of Berklee College of Music. Born in St. Louis, Royce taught himself to play the piano at the age of 14 on a small keyboard. He has a rich musical background and an affinity for a myriad of genres. Having worked as the in-house pianist and lecturer at the Scott Joplin State Historic Site between semesters at Berklee, after college graduation, Royce returned to St. Louis to record an album of a dozen Joplin classics, reinterpreted in his own eclectic style for his debut album Memories on Morgan Street: Scott Joplin Reimagined. Royce has provided original music for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion special on MAX, Hulu’s Mormon no More, and most recently completed a full feature length score for MAX documentary They Called Him Mostly Harmless. In October of 2024, The New York Times opinion columnist John McWhorter captured Royce’s piano playing in three words: Sly, Relatable and Brilliant. Royce continues on his path of exploration and experimentation.
TYRONE COTTON
Tyrone Cotton’s earliest musical revelation was listening to the raspy, inspirational voice of his grandfather, the Reverend Cleveland Roosevelt Williams, at his childhood home in Louisville, KY. Cotton began playing guitar along to the sounds of popular rock and blues artists and draws inspiration for his debut album from influences such as Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, and Mississippi John Hurt, who intrigued Tyrone with his “finger pickin’ and soft, wispy voice.” Cotton’s debut album, Man Like Me, is the result of a lifelong journey of his nearly 30 years of performing in venues and as a beacon of the Louisville music community where he continues to reside today. The collection of songs developed over the past decade and documented on Man Like Me, is a deeply stirring reflection of Cotton’s own experiences which explores connection, loss, hope and resurrection, punctuated by a voice that is hauntingly evocative yet equally warm and alluring.
FEYZA EREN
Internationally acclaimed vocalist, Feyza Eren, returned to her hometown of St. Louis from Istanbul, in 2011, after spending 15 years singing jazz with Turkey’s finest musicians. In 2015, Feyza was featured in HEC-TV’s, I Love Jazz with Don Wolff. She has performed with St. Louis’ finest musicians at many notable venues in and around St. Louis including the Sheldon Concert Hall’s Notes from Home series, the Jacoby Arts Center in Alton, Illinois, the Chesterfield Jazz Festival in 2015, the Whitaker Music Festival and Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival in 2016, the SLAM Underground: Fleur event at the St. Louis Art Museum and the St. Louis Art Fair in 2017. She was a performing member of The Sheldon SOLID Music Project, an education program of the Sheldon Arts Foundation, offering students live theatrical performances to teach them about the science of sound. She designed and performed a successful project titled, “A Dozen Divas” also at the Sheldon Concert Hall. In April of 2019, Feyza was one of two featured performing artists in the 2019 Saint Louis Visionary Awards at The Sun Theatre. During the pandemic, Feyza collaborated with musician/director Roberto Rossi, in the production of a video for Duke Ellington’s tune, Blue Pepper, for which she also wrote the lyrics describing a new world. She celebrated the release of 9 solo CD’s from 2014 to present with Steve Davis, including her 2016 release, Imagination. They released Feyza’s CD, Home, in June 2019; and holiday CD, A Christmas Voice in November 2019.
LYNN O’BRIEN
Described as a “musical force of nature,” Lynn O’Brien is an award-winning performing artist and speaker known for her soul-stirring, velvety voice. She has captivated thousands of audiences with her healing original songs and covers, playful stage presence and uncanny ability to bring people together. Lynn partners with individuals and organizations alike to curate meaningful, high-impact live experiences at fundraising galas, celebrations, book launches, retreats, workshops, weddings, as well as her own concerts. Her unique approach is informed by decades of being on stage, intensive vocal improvisation studies, and her clinical background as a trauma-informed, board-certified music therapist. Lynn also serves as Music Therapy Program Director with The Angel Band Project, a national non-profit that supports survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence through music. Currently based in St. Louis, MO, Lynn travels wherever her work takes her.
POSEY LULU
Posey Lulu is a St Louis native and an up and coming singer-songwriter that provides an introspective experience through her thoughtful lyrics and enchanting melodies. She plays guitar and harmonica in her performances and enjoys sharing her songs with everyone.