His commitment to performing authentic/historic music has set him apart from other musicians in the First Coast area, and some of his recent “popular band playlist” appearances have occurred at locations such as Ocean 60, River House in Orange Park, Hurricanes in Fleming Island, and Whitey’s Fish Camp.
He has performed at Thrasher Horne Hall Fine Arts Centre, Orange Park with acclaimed acoustic guitarist, Sylvia Vidova & Laurie Cantrell , an outstanding Flamenco Dancer from Spain.
Many of his most memorable performances have taken him to world events, including famous locations such as:
Appearances
- Super Bowl XXXI (2005) opening festivities, Jacksonville, Florida
- Menendez Festival, St. Augustine, Florida (attended by Juan Carlos and his wife Sofia, the King and Queen of Spain)
- Costa Brava, 1992 Olympics, Barcelona, Spain
- Octoberfest, Vienna, Austria
- English Cotswolds (Lygon Arms, Broadway, UK)
- The charming Goldener Hirsch, setting for the film Sound of Music in Salzburg, Austria
- The legendary Harry’s in Venice, Italy
- The Ancient San Francisco Parador in Granada, Spain
- The Rhone-Alps: L’ Abbaye de Talloires, a 9th-century monastery (now a hotel) in the French historic village of Talloires on Lac d’Annecy
- The Cote d’ Azur, the quaint fishing village of Giens on the Mediterranean Sea
- The Province at Saint Remy, Hotel Domaine De Valmouriani
What Our Customers Are Saying
I just wanted to drop a quick note and tell that James and Sylvia were phenomenal Thursday! I just wish I had more residents up and interested in coming! There were more staff than residents that attended. We were having such a great time! The two of them are very engaging and entertaining,… not to mention the talent! I was 100% pleased. I will definitely book them again in the future and I highly recommend them! I can’t thank you enough for finding them and making this a very special day for us.
Videos of James & Sylvia
Rebecca Zapen
Versatile violinist, vocalist, and songwriter Rebecca Zapen’s first musical memory was that of sitting under the baby grand piano as a toddler, her ears filled by the sounds of her mother playing Chopin, Beethoven, and Mozart.
Her college years were filled with opera, orchestra, chamber music, and late night jazz jams. The journey continued to twist and unfold, rich in varied musical experiences: Tom Waits tunes via CB radio and Celtic harp, a four-year trip to the Old World in Klezmania, spoken word with eclectic folk, Gypsy jazz.
She walks her present path as a performer of range and depth: a classically-trained violinist, a jazz crooner/violinist in quartet ZapStar, and an award-winning songwriter/composer. Rebecca’s dreamy, ethereal vocals swoon and sweep atop sublime melodies and infectiously charming lyrics, instantly hypnotic and effortlessly charming.
Accompanying herself on ukulele, guitar, and violin, and joined by double bass, string section, and dobro, Zapen’s music is mellow, creative, happy, and smart.
Richard Stratton
Richard Stratton was born in Westfield, NJ but grew up in Atlanta, GA starting age nine. That’s when he began playing the guitar. He studied music at the University of Georgia, where he received his bachelor’s (1980, cum laude) and master’s degrees (1981) in music composition. He attended the doctoral program in music composition at the University of Iowa 1981-1984.
Besides being a freelance musician he worked as a jingle writer for regional midwestern radio advertisers (1982-84), owned a guitar store/school in Iowa City, Iowa (1984-1995) and a fine dining restaurant on Amelia Island Florida (2000-2003).
See Robert’s Agent Friendly website for more information and to listen to a sample of his music.
Below is a list of Acts Available:
Jazz Trio
Richard Stratton – Guitar & Vocals
Billy Thornton – Upright Bass
Peter Miles – Drums
Jazz Quarter/Quintet
Richard Stratton – Guitar & Vocals
Barry Kelsey – Flute/Sax
Doug Matthews – Piano
Scott Smith – Upright Bass
Steve Clark – Drums
Solo Guitar & Vocals -Richard Stratton
Solo Classical Guitar – Richard Stratton
Guitar Trio
Richard Stratton
Dan Caraway
John Roberts
‘Trio Dolce’ & ‘Duo Dolce’
Richard Stratton was born in Westfield, NJ but grew up in Atlanta, GA starting age nine. That’s when he began playing the guitar. He studied music at the University of Georgia, where he received his bachelor’s (1980, cum laude) and master’s degrees (1981) in music composition. He attended the doctoral program in music composition at the University of Iowa 1981-1984.
Besides being a freelance musician he worked as a jingle writer for regional midwestern radio advertisers (1982-84), owned a guitar store/school in Iowa City, Iowa (1984-1995) and a fine dining restaurant on Amelia Island Florida (2000-2003).
Visit Richard’s Agent Friendly website and Hear A Sample Of His Music.
“Trio Dolce” Members
Peggie Ealum – Flute
Kyle Wehner – Violin
“Duo Dolce” Members
Richard Stratton – Guitar
Peggie Ealum – Flute