Imagine the classics - Bach, Beethoven, Mozart - performed in exciting new ways... modern jazz, African, and Latin rhythms. Bach to the Future brings an exciting, whimsical approach to the most beloved music of all time, and some of the most interesting cutting-edge instruments you'll ever see. How about a Drumitar? An electric violin that glows when you play it? 

All four players are world renowned performers, best-selling authors, and highly acclaimed composers. This is a show you won't want to miss! Bach to the Future - The Bach that Rocks!

Dawn Weber has a mesmerizing, high-energy stage presence. This St. Louis-based artist has a background that includes extensive training in both classical trumpet and flugelhorn as well as jazz. Weber's style ranges from jazz, rock, R&B, swing, and salsa to hip-hop, electronic, and funk. Currently, Weber is in charge of four projects which flow seamlessly together while each offering a distinctive sound:

Dawn Weber Group: up to a 6 piece playing jazz, pop, blues, R&B, and funk.

Dawn Weber Swinging Blues Review: 5-6 piece playing swing and jump blues. 

Dawn Weber and Naked Rock Fight: 6 piece band playing soul, groove, funk, and fusion.

Dawn Weber and the Electro Funk Assembly: 3-6 piece group playing acid jazz, lounge, and swing.

World class trumpet player. Prolific songwriter. Stylish vocalist. Mesmerizing, high-energy stage presence. Add it up and you are given one, and only one person– Dawn Weber. But that's just a basic overview of what the multi-talented, eclectic Dawn Weber brings to every performance. The St. Louis-based artist has a background that includes extensive training in both classical trumpet and flugelhorn. But Dawn's talent and personality really shine in other styles of her music– ranging from jazz, rock, R&B swing and salsa to hip-hop, electronic and funk styles. Dawn starred in the groups Vargas Swing, Urban Jazz Naturals and Mo and Dawn (The Remix Project) and is now leading her own bands.

The larger version of Dawn's Electro Funk Assembly brings it with an explosive, high-energy show! The full EFA group features a live drummer, bassist, keyboard player and guitarist supporting Dawn's vocals and trumpet -- fused with an electronic blend bubbling under. You'll hear original music blending house music, funk, hip-hop, and electronica elements that will make you get down and move your body! You'll have a blast!

The smaller, three-piece EFA Lounge band offers a more sophisticated approach adding classic hits– performed in Dawn's unique style – to the musical mix. Dawn's EFA trio creates a high-energy blend of jazz, Latin, and funk grooves with electronic elements to create great dance music that flows non-stop!

'CREATIVELY CUSTOMIZING MUSICAL EXPERIENCES'

A respected artist, educator, and arranger, Lamar Harris has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the business such as New Edition, Babyface, Bilal, Chrisette Michele, Chico DeBarge, Lee Fields, Biz Markie, Doug E.Fresh, Vintage Trouble, Marc de Clive Low, and many others.

Lamar's creative range from music to fashion earned him a featured spot in ALIVE Magazine as a Men of Style Winner in 2013. His intensely creative sound soothes the ears with melodic, abstract sounds that leave audiences craving for more. The music forces the listener’s mind and soul inside the sounds, releasing their energy into a place of solitude and relaxation.

In 2010, he was one of twenty-one award winners in Missouri of the Peabody Logos Leadership in Education Award. For eight years, he was the Director of Bands at Crossroads College Preparatory School where he designed and instituted a $65,000.00 music production lab, organized fundraisers and community events.

As the RFT’s 2013 and 2010 Best Jazz Artist and Best Funk/R&B/Soul award winner, he has performed on the Jamie Foxx "Foxhole Radio Show" and Old School 95.5, performed for John Legend, Bill Bellamy, Sommore & Miguel, Porsche, IKEA, Brooks Brothers, The United Way, Circus Flora, St. Louis Ballet, St. Louis Arc, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Nieman Marcus, ISES National Convention, PROMO- STL, National Association of College Organizations, The Taste of St. Louis, Black Caucus of the American Library Association, St. Louis Fashion Week and has been featured at Jazz St. Louis. In July 2014, St. Louis Magazine named him as the Best Multi-talented DJ in St. Louis. Lamar was a cast member for the musical, “Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story” at the Muny Theater in St Louis, Missouri. He has partnered with various organizations such as Pepsi, Junior Chamber International, Black Caucus of the American Library Association, College Bound and countless others.

Through his travels, Farshid accumulated the music of the world, making it his own, weaving the variety of styles and influences together into a sound that is unique and familiar. His band, Farshid Etniko is an ensemble that performs Latin, popular jazz standards, as well as compositions that blend Middle Eastern instruments and influences with Latin beats and American blues sensibilities.

Just listening to his demo will give you a true sense of what Farshid's travels bring to the music scene of America. Farshid Soltanshahi, whose musical journey has taken him from Iran to France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and, most recently, Missouri will bring an extraordinary element to any event.

Throughout his twelve-year music career, Javier Mendoza has been working hard and patiently waiting for his big break. Born in Virginia, raised in Spain and now living in St. Louis Missouri, Javier continues to create and perform his amazing music. His creativity and perseverance are easy to see in his evolution from a songwriter for Warner Chappell in 1996 to a full time singer, songwriter, and performer today.

Javier has received many honors throughout his career. He was a finalist in the Independent Music Awards 2007, won best St. Louis World Music and Pop Artist 2000-2004, became a Budweiser True Music artist in 2005, had songs featured on MTV's Real World, has multiple magazine features and live performances on several TV shows. He has also worked with some of the best musicians in the region and shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Blues Traveler, Everclear, Los Lobos, and The Roots. MAC-Logo-TouringPerformers

In November of 2009, Mendoza released his most recent albums, "You" and "Tu" in English and Spanish.

With 8 albums spanning ten years Javier demonstrates that he knows where he comes from and where he is going. On each CD he combines new influences, new musical inspirations and life experiences with the common thread of hope for the future. His dedication to creating new and different material and his passion for live performance keeps bringing the fans back again and again. Whether he's playing for 10 people or a crowd of 10,000, Javier makes each show unforgettable. The physical and emotional energy he delivers is truly amazing and must be experienced to be believed.

The approaching 10th anniversary of his first album, Tinta y Papel and reflection on his twelve year journey have inspired Javier to begin work on his 9th studio CD. Rather than focusing primarily on the future he is focusing on "Now" and how incredible the journey of life can be if you let it. For Javier living in the "Now" is about personal growth, working with great musicians, new fans, long time fans, and welcoming all that life has to offer without hesitation. When the big record labels come knocking Javier will be ready, but until then he plans to make the most of every second.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Readers Choice Tied Winner of 2009 Best Male Vocalist in River Front Times Music Awards

* Performed National Anthem at Home Opening Game for the St. Louis Rams in 2009

* Voted One of Colleges Hottest Artists for 2009 by Campus Magazine

* Finalist in the 2007 Independent Music Awards

* Won KDHX Audience Award for best Latin Artist in Saint Louis' 2006 Music Awards

* Nominated for Best Vocalist on the 2006 Independent Online Music Awards

* 2005 Budweiser True Music Artist

* Voted Best World and Pop Artist in St. Louis 2000-2004

* Has had 7 songs featured on MTV's Real World 2000-2005

* Has played with The Roots, Los Lobos, Ben Folds, G-Love, Willie Nelson, The Smithereens and more

* Has played over 100 colleges in over 20 states & is a regular in the U.S. club scene

* Was a semifinalist at the Independent Music World Series Conference in 2003

* 'Join The Party' was voted one of MECA Conference's best songs in Chicago in 2004

* Has performed at the Mid Atlantic, Northern Plains and North East NACA conferences

* Former Warner-Chappell songwriter

* Performed for Pope John Paul II in 1999

Richie is an introspective and old soul, dynamic vocalist, emotionally driven songwriter, and multifaceted instrumentalist transitioning proficiently amidst piano, guitar, drums and the occasional bout of harmonica. As a performer, he brings an undeniable energy and authentic sound to both his solo shows and his adventures fusing with fellow musicians in the Richie Kihlken Band. Striving to make his unyielding passion for music be his lifelong career, he continues to devote his time to making and performing his music and constantly evolving as an artist. 

Richie leads the band with his timeless voice, groovy piano riffs, and charismatic honest-to-goodness personality. After years of flying solo, Mr. Kihlken chose to seek out a brood of like-minded musicians with extraordinary talent and instrumental expertise and found exactly that in Martha Mehring (vocals), Nate Gilberg (bass), Matt Rowland (guitar), John Lum (drums), Ryan Marquez (organ/keys), and Charlie Cerpa (saxophone). Together they blend blues, jazz, and funk to create modern soul music that brings people to the dance floor.

As a solo artist and as frontman of Guerrilla Swing, Tommy Halloran performs over 300 shows per year, playing everywhere from airports and smokey clubs to historic theaters and grand outdoor festivals.  His music is a gumbo of jazz, blues, bossa nova, folk, and rock n' roll.  Tommy Halloran performs old-timey music anyone would appreciate... He is to jazz as Uncle Tupelo was to country-western or Steve Earle to bluegrass. He possesses the schooling (both formal and hard-knocks) as well as the "chops" of a great jazzman... The basic truths of Delta-blues, swing, Gospel, and Bohemia are deeply rooted in Tommy's songwriting psyche. Like Randy Newman or Tom Waits (who seldom appear in the same sentence), his cooking belies his ingredients.