Coco York - Jazz and Blues

Background

Coco York
Jazz & Blues vocalist
Born in Strong, Arkansas. Coco York has travelled the world from Australia and Africa to Europe and the United States where her name has become synonymous with jazz. She has shared the stage with artists such as Clark Terry, Lionel Ritchie, B.B. King and has performed for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Jazz and Heritage Festival of New Orleans among others.
Her first professional appearances were in the clubs of the French Quarter of New Orleans where her intuitive response to Blues and Jazz was formed. From there, she travelled to Africa where she learned the rhythm of her roots and the songs of her people. Currently a professor of jazz studies at the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music, she has been heard throughout Europe on television, radio and in recordings on the RCA, EMI and CBS labels.
Her recitals and workshops for American Voices have taken her around the world
from the Southeast Asian countries of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Other venues include Germany and Luxemburg as well as the Malta Jazz Festival.

Roong Chareonchai
Jazz Pianist
Thai pianist Roong Chareonchai was educated at Silapakorn University of Fine Arts, Bangkok from
1982-1985. Since then he has had extensive experience as a resident pianist and accompanist in a number of major Bangkok hotels, including Siam Intercontinental Hotel, Hilton International Bangkok Hotel, the Oriental Hotel, and the Park Nai Lert (Raffles International) Hotel.
He has formed his own recording studio in Bangkok where he works as a music producer.

Mark Hodgkins
Saxophone and Flute
Talented musician, Mark Hodgkins, began his professional music career as a trumpeter at age 19, having already played in various youth jazz orchestras in the UK. Two years later he switched to saxophone and has added clarinet, flute,Thai flute and vocals to his repertoire.
In l997 he began to travel, performing on cruise ships and eventually falling in love with Thailand
where he has settled. He has become a well-known figure on the Bangkok music scene, works as a performer in jazz bands, a solo entertainer, music promoter and concert and festival organizer, while teaching at Silapakorn University.
Mark has recorded a number of his own CDs, including ‘Jazz in the Park — a tribute to Thai musician Suntaraporn' and has worked with several popular Thai artists.