Artist InformationBiography
BERYL QUINTON - Artist (Vocalist/Keyboard) featured on EWTN and among winners in 2009 International Christian Art Competition, Song/Music Category, sponsored by Stephen Sawyer's Art4God website. Born to a musical and God-centered family, with radio/TV/stage performances as a child, Beryl’s experience ranges from a “doo-wop” group in high school, to her own rock band, raising 5 children, singing in the “Papal Choir” during Pope John Paul II’s visit to New Orleans in 1987, and a group musical ministry at her parish church for over 25 years. Beryl was once the Civilian Personnel Director for the Eighth District of the U. S. Coast Guard; and, after completing her Federal career, was Choir Director at St. Louis Cathedral Catholic Elementary School from 2001-2004. In 2002, under her direction, her "children" performed their gospel music at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. A descendant of the Caruso family, Beryl's father David was a Plumber and a New Orleans composer with a couple of notable compositions back in the 20's; her mother, a schoolteacher; and her brother David Jr., an attorney, the composer of the title song of her first CD "Like The Seagull."
Having survived her own personal tragedies -- including the loss of a child, her teenage daughter, in a fatal automobile accident -- through the years, Beryl has poured the emotion of losses and faith into her music. That is what her music ministry is all about... connecting with persons seeking God's presence, and also with hurting souls needing God's intervention in the midst of crisis or tragedy. Fan response to her music validates this connection. More recently, with their home in New Orleans destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and now relocated to Baton Rouge LA, Beryl and her husband Juan are grateful for their survival and recovery from the storm, and also for their blessings of talent, love, and the opportunity to share with others their abundant love of Jesus Christ through their music.
JUAN QUINTON, JR. - Artist (Vocalist) and Percussionist. Juan has a primary career in law enforcement with the New Orleans Police Department. His musical heritage carries on to the fourth generation of his family a name which originated with his great-grandfather Juan Bautista Quinton, a composer and organist who studied at the Conservatory of Paris before moving to Puerto Rico. Juan's grandfather Jose Ignatio Quinton later became one of the island's most celebrated composers, known especially for his Danzas and Requiem Mass. Juan's father Bobby Quinton was a pianist known for his "Bach to Boogie" at locations such as Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, La Lune, and Bobby Quinton's Lounge on Tulane Avenue.
BERYL AND JUAN have been in the photography business since 1983. Both she and Juan were in rock bands in the early years, but it was at St. Dominic over 25 years ago that they met, both having joined the "Contemporaries," a guitar group in which they participated until the end of August 2006. "Endless Love," one of the tracks on "Amazing Graces," was their first duet sung at a friend's wedding. They are now members of the 11:30 a.m. choir at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Baton Rouge LA, with Juan once again providing percussion and vocals.
In the production of "Amazing Graces," the musical depiction of a Christian lifetime, their home was utilized as a "recording studio," and Beryl did the pre-mixes before bringing the tracks to Marc Hewitt at Sound Services Studio in New Orleans for final mixing and mastering. She also prepared the CD artwork for the cover, traycard and discface.
As an independent Christian recording artist, Beryl has released three CD's and a music video distributed throughout the United States, and also to other parts of the world, including Australia, England, Ireland and China. Her songs/albums are also available for downloads on major internet sites, such as, Napster, iTunes, and Rhapsody.
Beryl's CD releases and music video have been recognized in nationwide U. S. competition sponsored by the United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA), reaching finalist status in both 2002 and 2005 Awards. Her music has also been accepted by the Catholic cable network EWTN, to be featured in their programming.
http://www.berylquinton.com
Instrumentation
Beryl Quinton - Keyboard/Vocals
Juan Quinton, Jr. - Vocals
Juan Quinton, Jr. - Percussion
Elizabeth Caruso – Vocal
Members of St. Louis Cathedral Catholic Elementary School Choir – “Back-Up” Vocals
Lee Quinton - Guitar
Frank Janusa - Guitar
Timmy Todd - Bass Guitar
Vince Tividad – Bass Guitar
Barry Bouvier - Keyboard
Mike Burtchaell - Keyboard/Trumpet
Mike Doyle - Keyboard
Judy Seghers - Harp
Christopher Drayton - Sequencer/Keyboard
Blessed with an elite group of musicians participating in the creation of "Amazing Graces," it was known from the beginning that most would be unavailable to sign on for a band commitment. When performing, Beryl and Juan use instrumental studio mixes as accompaniment, occasionally adding a lead guitar and/or keyboard. Juan's vocals and percussion are unique. Never conforming to the usual "ho-hum" drumming techniques, he has been instrumental in transforming the Christian lifetime which is the theme of "Amazing Graces" into a living and breathing experience. Beryl's primary focus is vocals, using her keyboard mostly to prepare accompaniments for church cantoring. Currently, she is studying pipe organ and loving every minute of it.
Discography
(Released in 2005/Widescreen DVD) "Following Christ" Music Video from "Amazing Graces" CD
(Released in 2004) "Amazing Graces"
(Released in 2004) "Jesus, I Trust In You" (Single)
(Released in 2001) "Like The Seagull"
Links
| http://www. berylquinton.com |