First Name

Sky

College/University:

Sam Houston State University

I am here for:

Educational Purposes, Meet Players, Networking

Whom I want to meet:

Anyone who loves good music!

Employment Status

Self-Employed

Occupation:

musician, entertainer, recording artist

Employer:

self

About Me:

I am a very positive person. I have an incredibly wonderful life, in spite of several shocking tragedies that my family has suffered. I believe we are supposed to go on, do our thing, make wonderful memories, and be happy, so that's what I am doing. My husband and I play music together every day of our lives! What could be better than that? Also, I have an incredible daughter, 15 years old, who is happy and strong and self-reliant (and beautiful)--she is an inspiration. We lost our son, Joshua, in a tragic ATV accident, September 3, 2006. He was a loving, happy boy, and he would want us all to be happy. Our joyous life is a tribute to him! We had our struggles to get through it, but we are amazingly well these days.

Musical Background & Experience:

I arrived on this earth able to play piano, I can take no credit for that. I played in Houston for years, since that is my home, and then I played in New Orleans at the World Famous Pat O'Brien's Piano Bar (when I was 20 years old). Then, I played and sang in a great vocal group called the Stellar Unit for almost 10 years. We all played our instruments and sang beautiful four-way vocal arrangements. I have now recorded my debut CD, which I hope will be released by next summer, called "This is Sky Blu!" on the Del Oro Music label, produced by David Longoria (recipient of the 2008 Hollywood Music Awards Best Instrumental Award). He is a truly gifted producer and one of the best trumpet players in the world today! My husband, Neil, and I have a group here locally, and perform almost daily and nightly, here in Phoenix, AZ. We are blessed to be very, very busy! I play the piano and keyboards and sing, and Neil plays drums and sings. He is extremely musical. Everybody loves Neil! We have a lot of talented friends who perform with us for bigger events, like Brad Bauder (tenor and clarinet), Andy Musel (alto, tenor and flute), Jerry Donato (alto, tenor and flute), and Richie Oropeza (tenor and flute), Angelo Valente (guitar), Denny and Dan Gutenkauf (guitar and bass, respectively), and Larry Crinklaw (keyboards).

Website:

http://www.myspace.com/skyblumusic

Website:

http://www.peggykayeandtheblunotes

Website:

http://www.mystudio.net/blunotes

Why I love jazz:

It's the real thing. It is not only musical expression, but expression of the feelings of the person playing it, and a connection to the person listening to it.

Music:

I love many, many different kinds of music. I grew up in Houston, TX, and also lived in New Orleans when I was 20 years old, so I have a lot of southern influences. I love just about anything that swings, including country swing.

Top 5 Desert Island Discs:

Afro-Cuban All Stars -"Distinto, diferente," "Quintessential Billie Holiday", Amy Winehouse - "Back to Black," Thelonius Monk - "Live at the Balckhawk in San Francisco," Dexter Gordon - "Go"

Books:

The Girl with No Shadow, JoAnne Harris; The Secret Life of Bees-Sue Monk Kidd; From Here to Eternity - James Jones; We are Their Heaven - Allison Dubois

Television:

I mostly watch old movies when I get home from the gig. I do watch Good Morning Arizona every morning on Channel 3, here in Phoenix. And, I love "Sensing Murder," because I love Laurie Campbell.

Movies:

Tombstone, Gladiator, Casino, The Godfather, Mama Mia!, The Women (the OLD one), Meet Me in St. Louis