George Ross

Recording "The Right Line" today in the studio.

"These Days"- A Jackson Browne Classic

Melis Aker was in the studio today recording piano and vocals on a cover of Jackson Browne's classic "These Days." Though the song was first recorded by Nico in 1967, Browne had written an early version of the song several years earlier. The song which deals with themes of loss and regret, has over the years, "quietly become a classic" as quoted by Los Angeles Times. 

Melis' version features a dominant piano motive with more subtle movements.

Part of her upcoming EP project before the end of the year.

LET'S SING A SONG!!

New Young Pals artist George Ross was at 2C Studios today, recording "Let's Sing a Song."

Melis Aker Recording Her Debut Album

Young Pals Music's latest project is a collection of songs by young artist Melis Aker. Acoustically driven, the EP project will feature Melis' songs performed with guitars, piano and violin with simple but beautiful arrangements. The singer/songwriter picks up the subjects and matters of her lyrics from her everyday experience in New York.

Melis was at 2C Studios on Friday to record the ballad "Take." Stay tuned for more news.

CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH IN NEW YORK CITY

WILD!!
A song to sing along for the The People’s Climate March in New York City. 

"The Resilience of Love" - A Novel by Stephen B. Anderson

Now available at Amazon

The way others perceive you inevitably influences the way you perceive yourself—so, when those around you don’t approve of where your life is headed, it can be easy for you to lose track. But even if this happens, there is still hope. You can rise above the obstacles, reclaim your direction, and find meaning and value in your life.

“The Resilience of Love” follows three gay men, each of whom has different levels of awareness and acceptance of their lifestyle. Carlo is openly gay and has his mother’s support along with his father’s condemnation. Martin is still “in the closet,” as far as his parents are concerned. And Howard’s repression of his gay disposition has provoked amnesia. He has lost all sight of who, and what, he is.

Each man has issues he must confront, and together, they are about to explore unchartered territory that could make or break them—and their relationships.

As traditional values and matters of orientation, personality, and relationships collide in this compelling literary novel, the things these men learn about themselves, one another, and their families is sure to amaze you and teach you valuable lessons about love, identity, and the integrity of the human spirit.

Stephen B. Anderson is an open-minded, openly gay man who has experienced firsthand the difficulties associated with “coming out” to others and coming to terms with his own sexual orientation. He grew up in Iowa in a setting that epitomized conventional American values and studied for the Christian ministry for several years before resigning due to his emerging sexuality.

Anderson subsequently entered into a gay partnership that has lasted more than forty years and recently culminated in marriage. His parents initially were traumatized by his lifestyle, though they eventually came to accept, appreciate, and cherish the love and togetherness of his relationship.

Professionally, Anderson worked in an innovative rehabilitation program for people with mental illness about which he has published two books. His writing is drawn from personal experience and reflects insights he has gleaned about the hardiness of the human spirit.

"The Resilience of Love" is also available on Barnes & Noble. 

BIANCA MARROQUIN: Person of the Year, 2014

BIANCA MARROQUIN

2014 LGBT Hero Awards, Person of the Year

Please join us at this very special event on Thursday, September 18.

1453 - The Musical (Fall of Constantinople)

Tom Gallaher and Ayhan Sahin working on piano arrangements for the musical "1453" in the studio today.

"1453" is a period piece narrating the fall of Constantinople. Originally staged in Turkey in 1990, the writers Sahin and Onur Orkut working on a new take for a new production.

"Dirt" by Melis Aker

Melis was in the studio today with Ayhan and Tom recording her composition "Dirt."

1453-The Musical

A Turkish college musical troupe is planning to stage Sahin/Orkut musical "1453" in the next season in Ankara/Turkey. The show which was originally staged in 1990 narrates the fall of Constantinople (ancient Istanbul.)

Today, we were working on the piano arrangements for some of the tunes in the show with Tom Gallaher and Melis Aker in the studio.

Bianca Marroquin at 54 BELOW

What a joy!! Last night at 54 Below, Bianca Marroquin put on a show! An autobiographical celebration of her 12+ years in the business with little sketches of almost everything she has done till today.

Talk about a career filled with passion, talent, love, heartbreak, faith, persistence, victory and inevitable success. From back alleys of Broadway theaters to dance floors, or from  dressing rooms of syndicated TV shows to recording vocal booths, she has been everywhere with her own vision and integrity.  And last night, we were there at the legendary building of Studio 54 in New York City to witness her exciting, inspiring journey.

Her theatre achievements were showcased with her musical director Tom Gallaher on piano, who designed and architected this show together with Marroquin. From being a swing at “Rent” to being the star of a Disney “Marry Poppins..” Or from being a dance coach at “Phantom of the Opera” in Mexico City to being the “One and Only” Roxie Hart of “Chicago” on Broadway, she carried us through her way with laughter and heart beat.

And that was only the first portion of the full magic. Next, she showcased her versatility by transfering into her TV career where she talked and danced about her successful 4 year run of “Mira Quien Baila” (Latin franchise of “Dancing with the Stars”) and the anthem from her telenovela “Pequenos Gigantes.”  The song ”Esperanza del Corazon” carried us into her latest adventure when the moment finally came and she whispered the words “And then I decided to do an album.”

That was her introduction to the next part of her show where she performed songs from her first album “El Mundo Era Mio.” She sang live 6 tracks “One Lie,” “Miss Out On You,” “Something More Than Sideways” as well as the title track with precise perfection of a recording. The full band accompanied her with Tom Gallaher on piano, Dennis DelGaudio on guitars, Steve Singer on drums, Vincent Fay on bass and Marshall Coid on violin.

At the end of the show, she announced her new upcoming album in September which is composed of Mexican traditional folk songs. She sang two numbers from her new project “Perfidio” and “Toda Una Vida” .

In overall, the audience was amazed and electrified with her energy, her versatility as well as her personality on stage. A Broadway star, a famous TV personality, a dancer and a recording artist.. What more is in the horizon? It is for us to witness while we enjoy the joyride. Congratulations Bianca, you are a true star!!

See You At 54 BELOW on Wednesday, July 9 - 9:30PM

July 9, 2014
Cover charge: $25/$35/$55

Cover Charge Additional $5 At Door

Food & Beverage Minimum: $25

Wed, July 9

9:30pm

Doors 8:45pm

Buy Ticktes

*Pricing subject to change at any time.

*Tickets on the day of performance after 2:00pm are only available by calling 646.476.3551.

Award-winning Mexican Broadway actress Bianca Marroquin makes her 54 Below debut, performing songs from her first solo album “El Mundo Era Mio,” as well as songs she’s performed in musicals during the course of her career. From Roxie Hart, Chicago the Musical’s “merry murderess” to In The Heights to The Pajama Game, Bianca has graced Broadway stages with her vocal versatility. Also a beloved TV star in her native home, Mexico, Bianca is the current lead in Chicago, and one of the youngest actresses to play Roxie. She was the original Mary Poppins in Disney’s first Spanish production of the musical, and is also a Helen Hayes Award winner. Don’t miss this consummate showcase of Bianca’s full-bodied voice and diva moves, a tour-de-force to be remembered. “You’ve never seen a Roxie like this!” -The Chicago Tribune
BiancaMarroquin.com