Shiraz Jazz Trio
Shiraz Jazz Trio consists of Vocals, Piano and Saxophone. We perform a mixture of Jazz Standards, Smooth Jazz and Easy Listening/Pop music. We specialize in performing for private events like Cocktail Parties, Dinner Parties, Corporate Events, Rehearsal Dinners, Wedding Reception Cocktail and Dinner hours and much more. When you need subtle yet entertaining background music, Shiraz Jazz Trio is the answer.
Amber Kerestes - Vocals
Amber has been singing professionally most of her life, including national and international tours of various shows. As a professional actress, she's appeared in countless productions, including Always...Patsy Cline, Nunsense, Smoke on the Mountain, and Me and My Girl. Her musical influences include Bette Midler and Barbara Streisand. Because of her performing background, Amber's dynamic and enticing vocals bring and excitement and engagement to the songs of Shiraz.
Oliver Blatt - Piano/Keyboards
Oli, as he is known, is the glue that holds Shiraz together. His keyboard/synth skills allow Shiraz to cover a wide range of music from Jazz to Showtunes to Pop Classics. Oli attended Shenandoah Conservatory and Millikin University where he studied Theater Arts and Piano Performance. Oli toured North America for three years as a keyboard player, associate conductor, and synth programmer for numerous musicals including The Who's Tommy and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as well as musical directing for theaters across the country. He worked on the New York City world premier of Tombstone, the Legend of Wyatt Earp, and has written and arranged music for countless shows, including The Book of Love, and Here Comes the Bride. His vast knowledge of theater and show tunes, jazz and pop music, makes him a natural choice to create the foundation of Shiraz.
Dean Walker - Saxophones
Dean began playing saxophone at age nine and has spent most of his life studying music, as well as performing with, and leading small groups. A Berks County native, Dean attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he majored in Music Education and Saxophone performance. Dean has studied saxophone performance, music theory, arranging, and improvisation with Tim Price, Dr. John Kuehn, Dr. Dan DiCicco, John Morris, Joe Miller, and "Saxie" Shollenberger , and has performed and recorded with local groups in eastern PA, including The Bentonites, On the Run, Fancy Brass, Chillfactor, Big Beat Tornado, Ron Nolan and many others. Dean brings an energy level, passion and enthusiasm for music that few others can convey, and drives that passion right into the listeners ears with every note he plays. Whether playing a beautiful ballad by Kenny G. or a soul groove like Grover Washington Jr... he always leaves the crowd wanting more.
A sampling of our Song List
Jazz Standards
Afro Blue All of Me As Time Goes By At Last Autumn in NY Autumn Leaves Blue Bossa
Easy Living Fly Me to the Moon Georgia Girl from Ipanema God Bless the Child
I Can't get Started It had to Be you Misty My Favorite Things My Funny Valentine
My One and Only Love Over the Rainbow Satin Doll Shadow of Your Smile
Someday My Prince Will Come Summertime Take Five Take the A-Train The Look of Love
The Way you Look Tonight Unforgettable Wonderful World
Pop/Easy Listening
All of Me - John Legend California Dreamin - Bobby Womack Chain of Fools - Aretha Franklin
Crazy Love - Michael Buble' Don't know why - Norah Jones If I Ain't got you- Alicia Keys
Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder Just the Two of Us - Bill Withers
Just the Way you Are - Billy Joel Love Song - Adele Marry Me - Train Moondance - Van Morrison
NY State of Mind - Billy Joel Sara Smile - Hall n Oates Smooth Operator - Sade
Someone Like You - Adele Sweet Love - Anita Baker This Masquerade - Leon Russell/Carpenters
Walk on By - Burt Bacharach Your Song - Elton John
Smooth Jazz/Instrumentals
All Blues - Miles Davis Cantaloupe Island - Herbie Hancock Forever in Love - Kenny G
Lily Was Here - Candy Dulfer/Dave Stewart Mercy Mercy Mercy - Joe Zawinul
Mister Magic - Grover Washington Jr. Morning Dance - Spyro Gyra Silhouette - Kenny G
Songbird - Kenny G Wedding Song - Kenny G Winelight - Grover Washington Jr.