Sound of the City Concert

Changing lives through the power of music.

Marcus Tenney
Tennishu Music
Marcus Tenney Trio
Butcher Brown
Tennison
Marcus Tenney Quartet
No BS! Brass

Desirée received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in music from Virginia Union University. She studied voice with acclaimed soprano Dr. Karen Floyd-Savage for six years and performed with a variety of secular and sacred ensembles. Upon graduation she was given a scholarship to attend the 1st Annual Count Basie Orchestra Jazz Institute Workshop, conducted by renowned saxophonist/arranger/ composer Dr. Frank Foster, at Hampton University. She was also offered a Fellowship to attend the University of Michigan for graduate studies in musicology and performance.

During the summer of 1994, she performed with the Starlight Orchestra at Busch Gardens USA in Williamsburg, VA. A CD of the orchestra featuring Desirée was released in 1996 to be sold at Busch Gardens theme parks throughout the U.S. She has also been the opening act for several internationally acclaimed jazz music greats and entertainers throughout her career including, B. B. King, Kenny Garrett, Bobby Watson, Art Porter, Gerald Albright, Walter Beasley, Les McCann, Shirley Horne, Leslie Uggams and Bill Cosby. This past holiday season, she was the guest vocalist with the Roanoke Symphony in Roanoke Virginia for their annual Holiday Pops Concert. In 2004, Desiree received the Theresa Pollack Prize for Excellence in the Arts as Best Vocalist in Virginia. Most recently Desiree was the guest vocalist with the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra during their east coast tour.

Desirée continues to explore all avenues of her emerging career; singing, acting and dancing. She has been showcasing her triple-threat-talent professionally for over 33 years. She performs regularly in theatrical productions, concerts, workshops, clinics and studios, as well as operatic, R&B, gospel and jazz genres. Her father, the late James H. Roots, Jr. was a highly respected pianist/organist/vocalist who traveled throughout the U.S. in the 40's & 50's with gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe as her music director and pianist. Her father, and mother who also traveled and sang as a Rosette, have several recordings published. Desirée began singing in church at the age of four and landed her first theatrical role at the age of 13 as Dorothy in Haymarket Theatre’s “The Wiz”. Since being bitten by the Theatre bug, Desirée has held leading roles in over 35 productions. She was featured in a one-woman music presentation entitled “Songs of Bessie Smith”. This production was conceived by Desiree and focused on the music and biography of The Empress of The Blues.

Desiree’s vocal stylings have been heard on episodes of “The Cosby Show and a Different World”; as well as, local and regional television and radio commercials.

Corey Fonville, an influential drummer on today’s music scene, has dedicated his life to learning the craft and its history in order to be one of the best drummers of his time. As an artist, and music-enthusiast, he has studied a variety of genres, mostly his father’s collection, which generally consisted of jazz, R&B, alternative, and funk. His skills are rooted in an eclectic background and call attention to the fact that music is hard to typify.
Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, Corey has had the opportunity to play with recognized musicians whom have not only helped him develop as a drummer but also introduced him to the life of a touring artist. Since the age of 2, Corey hasn’t been able to put down the sticks and music was always his passion. He first started creating buzz after high school when he attended New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. While he lived in New York City, he played almost every night with prominent artists from the city and quickly made close connections with influential musicians. He eventually left New School to study at the Dave Brubeck Institute in Stockton, CA where he received a full scholarship to play drums. The Brubeck Institute gave Corey the opportunity to network with many artists that he aspired to be and listened to when he was a child.
Almost immediately after completing The Brubeck Institute, he began traveling the world with notable artists such as Nicholas Payton, Jacky Terrasson, and Christian Scott. Now at the age of 23, Corey is currently touring with the Nicholas Payton Trio and is a member of the Christian Scott Quintet. He is set to tour with Christian Scott in Europe throughout the month of October 2013 and is recording a new record with him in 2014. Additionally, Corey has his own band, Butcher Brown, and completed a West Coast tour with them in 2012. He plans to continue recording with them and hopes to keep building a national fan base.
Corey has proved that his skills make him one of the most recognizable and accomplished contemporary drummers. Through his touring experiences, he wants to continue to develop his technique and sharpen the skills he already possesses in order to continue playing for an audience that truly appreciates the art.

Andrew Randazzo is a Richmond based musician, bassist, composer, and bandleader based in Richmond, VA.

He is 1/5 of the band Butcher Brown, and can also be seen performing with Natalie Prass, Thorp Jenson, and other Richmond based acts.