adriana samargia
Adriana Samargia resides in South Florida. Her interest in the arts began in California where she performed as a dancer, singer and instrumentalist for many years in Slavic folklore groups directed by Caroline Bahr. Coming from an artistic family with mom, once a live radio singer, dad, also a vocalist and natural at several instruments, and sister, a singer, dancer and accomplished pianist, made her decision to pursue a career in the performing arts an easy one. When composer, arranger and performer Chris Braymen, once a member of Maynard Ferguson’s band, became Adriana's brother in law, her focus turned to jazz. She attended Foothill College in Los Altos Hills California as a flute major but was recruited into Dr. Nile Norton's vocal program after having a try at singing with Terry Summa's big band. She later transferred to the University of Miami's prestigious music school (now Frost) where she studied under the direction of Larry Lapin which included performance time abroad in Italy's beautiful Abruzzo Valley. Music work took Adriana to Palm Beach County where she enrolled in FAU’s jazz program led by Dr. Tim Walters. During this time Adriana co-lead the avant-garde jazz group Bluez Imbabwe with 8 string guitarist Tom Lippincott and was honored with Downbeat Magazine’s Best Jazz Vocal Soloist award for 1991. Shortly after, Adriana's studies turned to classical singing under the guidance of vocal coach Dr. Keith Paulson-Thorp. Her debut CD recorded with Ed Goldfarb, "Finale Mene" (2002) was produced and recorded by Grammy award winner Bill Hare of Bill Hare Productions, Milpitas CA. Her second release, "Both Sides" (2008) features Chris Peet (drummer with award winning bands J.P. Soars and the Red Hots and Southern Hospitality), Mark Marineau, Randy Ward and was recorded by Dave Schanzer and Gary Rimmington. She has worked and performed with drummer-bassist Chris Peet, pianists Mark Marineau, Dr. Orville Lawton, Norm Kubrin, Mark Square Doyle; bassists Jim Kessler, Don Coffman, Jamie Ousley, Rick Doll, Gary Rimmington, Tony Smith; guitarists Tom Lippincott, James McCreavy, Bob Bunin, band-leaders Frank Derrick and Doug Verga; and has been honored to perform with 2009 IBC and Albert King Award Winner JP Soars, Chicago born saxman, vocalist, 30th Annual Blues Music Award Nominee Terry Hanck and the Internationally acclaimed Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches. Adriana is a mother to three amazing musicians, has been the Director of Music Ministries at Historic St. Ann Catholic Church of downtown West Palm Beach since 2005, is the founder and director of Dream Team Music, The Parson Brown Singers and is an avid equestrian athlete.