The album has been planned for over a couple years; with two songs already out on the streaming platforms. Three songs are finished; two are nearly complete, with three others on their way to completion. Why the delay? The answer to that question has to do with a topic that we are all sick of talking about – Covid. So, we’ll just move on.

I’m VERY excited about offering up my first solo album. Nearly everything I’ve done, with regard to recording material, has been associated with Sunup. There have been about three versions of the group over the decades of performing and recording. In fact, we hope to have another album recorded by the end of the year (although, we’ve said that before). This brings me back to the current project that will include many of the Sunup alumni and long time music friends. In addition, my son, Marshall, is the recording engineer. Yes, I am biased, but he has great ears and is very adept in the mixing realm and I’m extremely happy with the outcomes. This will also be the first time my immediate family will all have been part of one of my recording projects!

I’ve been blessed with a roster of extraordinary talent and wonderful friends filling the roles needed with regard to the various instruments and vocals on these tracks! I’m quite certain you’ll concur once you’re able to grab a listen.

I’d like to introduce you to these musicians, and since I don’t know where to begin, I’ll just begin by going alphabetically:

Dave Arenius is playing upright bass with his beautiful sounding instrument from the early 1800s. He has played and still plays with numerous jazz artists in the Rochester, NY area and he was part of Sunup and a recording we did in the 90s that was not released. But, who knows, maybe one of those tunes will become a bonus track? He is performing on a Stevie Wonder cover.

**Chuck Bianchi** has been a bass instructor at our music studio for many years, who is a grad from Berklee School of Music, plays in the group, Brass Taxi, has performed at shows at Geva Theatre, released an album with our longtime music buddy and fellow guitar instructor, Jerry Preston, and has just assisted his wife in opening a vegetarian/vegan café named the Hollycake House. He brings a great sensitivity and some wonderful lines on electric bass to the songs, *Words Won’t Do* and *Romantic Knots*.

**Diane Holmes** – I first heard Diane sing with The Salzano Big Band at Red Creek and was just completely knocked out by her vocals. She has a long resume of singing jazz and blues with a variety of artists. She also happens to sing quite a bit on Sunup’s, Saratoga Sunrise album. She should have her own recordings out! I’ve appreciated her talent for so many years. You’ll hear her voice on *The Dream Again* and *Pray for Rain.*

**Dave Kluge** is a multi-instrumentalist, who plays with many great jazz groups, worship bands and is a songwriter and arranger, as well as being a music teacher in Rush Henrietta School. He plays electric and upright bass. Dave took guitar and bass lessons at our music studio years ago and then went on to SUNY Fredonia. Speaking as an instructor, you always hope that your students will surpass your abilities and continue on to love music and be successful. Dave has excelled and surpassed any of those expectations. He is also a warm and caring human being. He can be heard on *The Dream Again*.

**Stephanie LaBarge** has sung a lot of Gospel and worship music, also performing with a number of groups, and in fact, with the Bill Tiberio Band. We go back a distance, as we played and sang in worship bands together at church for many years. She and her husband Dave, have been longtime friends. In fact, I use Dave’s business, LaBarge Media, for music videos and with the non-profit I founded back in 2002. You’ll hear Steph belting some strong and impassioned vocals on *The Dream Again* and *Pray for Rain*.

**Marshall Manuel** is, of course, my son, who is one heck of a sound engineer. In addition, he is a wonderful songwriter, singer, guitarist, and creator of Beats. He also works with other artists, and produces some singer-songwriters, R&B, Hip Hop and Rap artists. He graduated from the New England School of Communications and is presently running our music studio, RAMP (Rochester Area Music Project).

**Mary Manuel**, aside from being my wife and an incredible talent, is one of the finest and most caring persons you’ll ever meet. That is probably why she was a longtime general music teacher in the elementary school at Penfield, NY. She is a wonderful pianist, who will also have a classical release coming out soon! I know I am biased, but she truly is one of the finest human beings on the planet and I’m truly blessed to have her in my life! It was fitting to have her singing on *The Dream Again*.

**Shawanda Owens** has to be one of the finest Gospel vocalists anywhere. Her vocal range is off the charts! I met Shawanda when working with her mom, volunteering in a program that provided opportunities and a healthy meal on Saturday mornings at a church in downtown Rochester. Shawanda has a dynamite Gospel recording out that I urge you to check out. That is why she is a perfect fit as one of the primary vocalists in *The Dream Again*!

**Frank Rauck** plays electric bass on *Pray for Rain*. We go back a ways too! We played in bands together and he is responsible for laying down some of the best tracks ever on Sunup’s, *Saratoga Sunrise* album. Check out songs Woody and Sunday Ride. He played these tracks with a feel and finesse that a songwriter/producer hopes will occur. It was wonderful having him lend his talents to this session once again.

**Caroline Rohlin** is a longtime, wonderful friend who has performed in multiple bands and in the worship setting for years. While her father was a vocal professor at the Eastman School of Music, Caroline inherited a natural talent, that allows her to belt out notes both beautifully and with a ton of power. You’ll hear her soulful strains in *The Dream Again*.

**Brian Soule** is responsible for the majority of piano and keyboards on most of the tracks. You’ve seen or heard Brian perform with Sunup since the early 80s. He brings his own style and sensitivity to the songs, along with his humor and wit. Our musical introduction and friendship trace all the way back to the mid-70s.

**Bill Tiberio** has had his own performing jazz band with several album releases, that include former Sunup drummer, Phil Lake. Bill plays in the Rochester, NY area, sitting in with many of the top performing jazz musicians. On top of that, he teaches music in Fairport High School, Jazz at Ithaca College and SUNY Geneseo. When you hear the phrase, “eat, sleep and breathe music”, you have to think of Bill. He not only brought his incredible talent to the sessions, but an uplifting and positive vibe as well. Bill is playing saxophone on *The Dream Again* and Pray for Rain.

**Karla van Aardt** is one of my former guitar students, who just soaked up everything she could in a lesson and has become not only a fantastic guitarist, but, a wonderful songwriter and vocalist. Karla brings a very positive energy to whatever she is working on. You’ll hear her singing, “*Oh, I feel that dream again*!” She was also part of the Jazz Band at Fairport High, under Bill Tiberio’s direction.

by Garry Manuel

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