THE STRAUSS BLACK BOX THEATRE | Tickets available NOW at MetroTix.com
St. Louis' own CRYSTAL LADY, the national touring Rock band led by Chela Mancuso, will perform their UN-PLUGGED acoustic set of original music Live at KPAC. Opening up for Crystal Lady is the dynamic duo of Joe Mancuso and Dave Black! Yes... you get a father/daughter show... it's basically 2 shows for the price of one!
Crystal Lady is comprised of 4 jazz musicians GONE WILD! They have studied with some of the nation's greatest jazz musicians and teachers, but then decided to form an original rock band that is now touring the U.S.A.
Who is Crystal Lady?
St. Louis vocalist/songwriter, Chela Mancuso, like her father Joe Mancuso, holds a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies from Webster University. She has a sultry, alto voice reminiscent of Stevie Nicks and Amy Winehouse with influences from Janis Joplin and others too many to mention here. Chela is also the lyricist of the group, writing words from personal life experiences. She started the band in 2014.
St. Louis bassist Dylan Roussel studied with Willem von Hombracht of Webster University and plays jazz, blues, rock, funk and R&B bass with great passion, virtuosity, heart and soul. His favorite bass players are James Jamerson (Motown Records), Joe Dart and Chris Wolstenholme (Muse). Dylan is also a gear fanatic. He collects vintage basses, guitars, amps, pedals etc. He also plays the Soulard Blues circuit with The Jake Curtis Blues band that competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN (2020).
Guitarist Nick Fiveash joined Crystal Lady after responding to a Craigslist ad! Yes, that's right... he 'up and moved' from Brunswick, Georgia to join Crystal Lady back in 2018. Nick studied jazz at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. Nick has quickly become one of the hottest rock guitarists on the St. Louis scene, his sense of harmony and melodic runs make for an exhilarating musical experience. Some of Nick's guitar heroes include Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, Jimi Hendricks and Dimebag Darrell!
Drummer Correy Smotherson comes from St. Louis drummer royalty. His father Bwayne Smotherson plays all over town with several high profile R&B party bands, as does his cousin Chuck Smotherson. Correy's brother Nathan Smotherson tours the world on cruise ships doing the same! Correy plays with great enthusiasm, groove and soul. Correy also studied with Dawn Weber and got his Bachelor's degree at SEMO where he minored in trumpet performance. Correy's favorite drummers are Carter Beauford (Dave Mathews), Benny Greb and Larnell Louis (Snarky Puppy).
The opening act: Vocalist Joe Mancuso & Guitarist Dave Black
You know these guys, veterans that perform all over St. Louis with many of the finest musicians. Joe and Dave have a record entitled Just The Two Of Us. This record that won local awards features just voice and guitar, just Joe and Dave in the raw. They will begin work on their second album this year, and Dave will be releasing another record this year with saxophonist Paul DeMarinis (Webster University, Director of Jazz Studies).
Over the years, the Riverfront Times has awarded Joe with Best Album (Cut To The Chase), Best Vocalist and Best Musical, and Dave has won multiple Best Guitarist Awards from The RFT and other publications.
Joe Mancuso is also a songwriter, recording engineer, producer and has his own label (Mancuso Records). He produces all of Crystal Lady's music from his home studio.
Dave Black is an adjunct professor at Webster University, band leader with several groups, and first call guitarist for many of St. Louis' top musical acts.