Sounds of A&R (S.O.A.R.) – Geneva Music Festival

S.O.A.R. is the brainchild of vocalist April May and Trumpeter Randall Haywood. Partners in music and life, April and Randall have come together on “Horizon” for a distinct sound that fuses aspects of Contemporary Jazz, Soul, R&B, and Gospel influences. April May, the sister of Contemporary Jazz keyboardist Jacob Webb of The JT Project, hails from Newton, Kansas. Her unique vocal approach draws from a wide range of influences from Sarah Vaughan to Ledisi. She sings with a rustic warm tone and strong articulation. April’s partner in crime, Randall Haywood, a Juilliard graduate, utilizes the trumpet with great emotional expression. His sound continues to look towards the future, while continuously paying homage to the greats that have come before him such as Herb Albert, Miles Davis, Chris Botti, and Chuck Mangione. S.O.A.R. has been described as the modern-day Ashford and Simpson, pulling inspiration from the deep love they have for one and other and expressing that love through beautifully crafted compositions.

Other Artist

Anna Petrova

Praised for her “artistic, clear and enlightened” performances (BBC Magazine) of “technical brilliance and complete emotional engagement" (Fanfare Magazine), Bulgarian pianist Anna Petrova performs extensively as both soloist and chamber musician around the globe.

Clara Lyon

Clara Lyon is an accomplished performer and curator who forges meaningful connections across sonic languages and societal contexts to foster investigation and imagination.

Clive Greensmith

From 1999 until its final season in 2013, Clive Greensmith was a member of the world-renowned Tokyo String Quartet, giving over one hundred performances each year in the most prestigious international venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, London’s South Bank, Paris Chatelet, Berlin Philharmonie, Vienna Musikverein, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo.

Eliot Heaton

Violinist Eliot Heaton is the current Concertmaster of the Michigan Opera Theatre, Des Moines Metro Opera, and the Saginaw Bay Symphony.

Eric Wong

Celebrated for a “tone like toasted caramel. Amazing.” (Musical Toronto), Eric Wong is the violist of the Cavani String Quartet.

Esther Park

Pianist Esther Park has performed as a soloist with orchestras and in recitals across the United States as well as Asia and major European cities.