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Founded in 1982 by husband and wife team Len & Elizabeth Greene, Ariel has performed at well over 1,000 weddings, corporate galas, proms and other special events. Although Ariel most often entertains in the Metropolitan New York area, the band has been flown to Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Florida and California by corporate clients who consider Ariel’s contribution to be unique and indispensable to the success of their events.
Ariel is a “set group”, meaning that the same musicians appear at all of Ariel’s performances. This ensures that the band sounds “tight” and well-rehearsed, unlike most agency bands which are assembled from a stable of available musicians. Ariel’s band members are all full-time career musicians with extensive experience, training and credits in the music business. They were carefully chosen for their talent, dedication to their craft, discipline, reliability and their evident joy in performing live music. |
Elizabeth Greene
MC, Vocals
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Elizabeth Greene is Ariel’s multi talented lead vocalist, bandleader, Master of Ceremonies and party coordinator. Her talent is central to the band’s success and her performances earn consistent rave reviews. Elizabeth sings all styles of music from jazz standards through disco and top 40 with equal skill, lending elegance, excitement and variety to Ariel’s repertoire.
At the request of our clients, Elizabeth has learned to sing song selections in seven languages! As a Master Of Ceremonies, her style is warm and natural. Her thoroughness and attention to detail assures the success of every Ariel event.
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Kevin Brown
Vocals
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Kevin Brown is Ariel’s featured male lead vocalist. His rich and fluid vocals add excitement and energy to the band’s sound. Clients are raving about Kevin’s vocal styling, which spans from R & B to contemporary rock. He has been compared to Luther Vandross and Al Green.
Kevin has performed in numerous Gospel bands including “Agape Force” who appeared at Carnegie Hall as finalists in the McDonald Gospel Fest. He performed at The Apollo providing background vocals for El De Barge. His recording credits include lead vocals in a duet of Shalimar’s song “Night To Remember” which was released in Japan and lead and background vocals on a compilation album featuring R&B and Club artists such as Candy Staton.
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Angela Clemmons
Vocals
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Singing lead along with Kevin and Elizabeth, Angela Clemmons' voice is nothing short of amazing. With her enormous range she soars with ease, covering artists from Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin to Diana Krall and Patti Austin.
Angela’s musical roots are in gospel and she has been singing since she was three years old, when she stepped forward at her Dad’s church to sing her first solo. She was discovered by record executives as a college student and was signed to CBS Records. She recorded two albums for CBS, which included the hit,"Give Me Just A Little More Time", which rose to #4 on Billboard’s disco chart.
Since that time she has recorded or performed with Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Jewel, Vanessa Williams, Juan Gabriel, Raphael, Gregory Hines, Sarah Brightman, Steely Dan, Roberta Flack, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Bolton, Elton John, Shania Twain, George Benson, Michael Jackson, among many others. Her voice can be heard on numerous TV and radio jingles for Burger King, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Coke, KFC, Slim Fast and many more. She has also been featured on TV and motion picture soundtracks including the NBC series, "Hometown", the CBS "Early Show", Disney’s "Hercules" and others.
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Taileen Alvarez
Vocals |
Sultry, soulful & smooth: just a few words to introduce Ariel's newest vocal sensation Taileen Alvarez. With her unique blend of jazz, pop, & blues, Tai adds a level of sophistication and class to anything she sings.
Born in Secaucus New Jersey on May 7, 1987 to parents of Cuban descent, Taileen was blessed to have grown up in an atmosphere filled with music of all genres. Her journey to musical prominence began at the ripe old age of four. Through a special program run by the local Board of Education, Tai attended Westminster Choir College's vocal camp. She went on to study under Roseanne Vitro, a prominent jazz vocal coach at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and subsequently performed at the Victoria theatre.
Over time, Taileen has developed a wide range of vocal styles. Her vocal style has often earned her comparisons to great singers as diverse in style as Janis Joplin and Lauren Hill.
Taileen has recorded on commercially released records and has held prominent roles in community theatre as well as the lead in her school play. |
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Len Greene
Guitar, Vocals
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Len Greene is Ariel’s rhythm and lead guitarist and vocalist. His melodic playing style knits together all the musical aspects of the band adding drive and texture to their music. He is a versatile and charismatic performer skillfully covering diverse vocal styles from Nat King Cole to Modern English. Len writes Ariel’s arrangements and is the musical director for the band.
Len started his career writing songs and performing his original music in clubs and colleges throughout the Northeast. Len met his wife and partner Elizabeth on stage and they have been performing together ever since. Len & Elizabeth were chosen to perform at the “New York Songwriters Showcase Presentation” and were subsequently signed to one of the world’s largest music publishing companies. |
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Francisco Centeno
Bass
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Francisco Centeno is Ariel’s fabulous bass player and has performed worldwide, touring with Aretha Franklin, Melba Moore and Bette Midler.
His irresistible grooves can be heard on recordings he’s made with numerous world-renowned stars, including Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and Whitney Houston.
Francisco has appeared on numerous TV shows including frequent appearances on the Dave Letterman Show, sitting in with the band. He has performed on Broadway in shows such as Hairspray, In The Heights, and Shrek. His bass playing can also be heard on hundreds of TV commercials, albums, motion picture sound tracks, and TV themes.
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Bud Burridge
Trumpet
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Bud Burridge is Ariel’s consummate trumpet professional. His beautiful tone, flawless execution and melodic trumpet solos are a joy to the ear.
Bud’s career highlights include performances with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Don Henley, Burt Bacharach, Steve Lawrence & Edie Gorme, Nancy Wilson, Kenny Rogers, Lou Rawls, Melissa Manchester and Charles Aznavour. He has recorded with Barbra Streisand, Peabo Bryson and Debbie Gibson. His recent movie recordings include Fargo, SnakeEyes, Meet Joe Black and You've Got Mail. He has recorded commercial jingles for American Express, Applebee's, Merck, Burger King and Huggies. His broadway show performances include Chorus Line, La Cage Aux Folles, Cats, City of Angels, Damn Yankees, Victor/Victoria, The Life, Ragtime, and Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk.
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 Jim Pryor
Keyboards,
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Jim Pryor holds the keyboard chair in Ariel. His brilliant piano playing encompasses all musical styles, as he easily moves from classical and jazz for ceremonies and cocktail hours into hip hop, rock, funk, disco, etc for a high energy dance party.
Jim was a winner of the The Great American Jazz Pianist Competition and The American Pianist Association American Jazz Pianist award. He has performed or recorded with numerous stars including Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Lalah Hathaway, and Michael Urbaniak.
Jim has received raves from Ariel's clients as well as in published reviews from The New York Times and Jazz Time Magazine.
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Terry Silverlight
Drums
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Our amazing drummer, Terry Silverlight, has been in demand as a touring and recording drummer with countless name acts. He has performed all over the world with artists such as Roberta Flack and Manhattan Jazz Orchestra, and performed on gold and platinum recordings for George Benson, Natalie Merchant, Freddie Jackson, Stephanie Mills, Tom Jones, Anne Murray, Mel Torme, Jennifer Holliday, and Phil Woods - among many others. His precise and dynamic grooves can be heard on feature films such as One Fine Day, You've Got Mail, Object Of My Affection, My Blue Heaven, Titus, Frida, Slaves Of New York, and What Planet Are You From?
Terry has written, produced and arranged hundreds of pieces for network TV shows including One Life To Live, The Sopranos, All My Children, Ed, Beverly Hills 90210, The Young And The Restless, and Melrose Place, as well as jingles for Reebok, Nicorette, Pantene, and Crisco Canola. His songs have appeared in such films as Invincible, Marci X, Sunshine, Mad About Mambo, and Head Over Heels.
Terry has released solo artist albums including "Terry Silverlight - Wild!" and "Diamond in the Riff." The Terry Silverlight Band has performed at various premier Manhattan night clubs, including Birdland, The Cutting Room, and The Metropolitan Cafe. Terry has also written the instructional drum books, "The Featured Drummer" and "The Stick Bag Book of Jazz, Funk, and Fusion."
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Jeff Hackworth
Saxophones, Flute
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Jeff Hackworth is Ariel’s dynamic saxophonist and flute player. From lush ballads, to jazz standards, to intense dance medleys, Jeff's amazing tone and precise technical delivery never fail to impress.
Jeff's touring experience includes playing big-band swing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, blues and R&B with Matt "Guitar" Murphy's band (Blues Bros.) and some roots Rock and Roll with Chubby Checker. In addition he has also performed with such diverse artists as Mel Torme, Buddy Rich, Doc Severinson, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Temptations, Gary U.S. Bonds and the Goo Goo Dolls. Jeff has also performed in the off-broadway show "Love, Janis", based on the life of Janis Joplin. He has released 2 albums under his own name and has also been a contributing writer for DownBeat magazine.
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