Florida GRAMMY Showcase
May 13, 2009

The Florida Chapter and the 2009 Florida GRAMMY Showcase screening committee thank all of the artists who entered the fifth edition of the Florida GRAMMY Showcase and congratulate the finalists and semifinalists. Chosen from approximately 400 entrants, the six finalists will appear live at the showcase presented May 13 at the Social in Orlando as opening night of the Florida Music Festival & Conference '09. Finalists perform live in front of a music industry audience and compete for valuable artist development packages.

The pre-showcase reception will start at 7 p.m. with sounds by DJ John Debo, followed by showcase performances at 8 p.m. hosted by Mel Taylor of Orlando's WJRR. Tickets are $10 at the door. Florida GRAMMY Showcase entrants receive limited free admission, but must RSVP to 305.672.9597 or e-mail monica.arellano@grammy.com.

About the 2009 Florida GRAMMY Showcase finalists:

ArtOfficial is a Miami-based band that consists of Keith Cooper (saxophone/flute), Logics (vocals), Newsense (vocals), Manny Patino (drums), Danny Perez (keyboards), and Ralf Valencia (bass). With their energetic blend of hip-hop's golden era and jazz, they have just independently finished their first recording, a five-track EP titled Stranger. The band also released an album in April 2008 titled Fist Fights And Foots Races, which was distributed in Japan via Goon Trax/Media Factory.

Miami's Awesome New Republic describe themselves as "a collective of musicians with a vision of progressive socio-political pop just as danceable as intellectual." The group members are John Hancock (vocals/drums/guitar/bass/keyboard), B. Rob Robertson (keyboard/vocals/bass/drums) and Jorge Rubiera (touring drummer). Their forthcoming album, Rational Geographic, heads them towards a direction they consider a "mixture of R&B melodies and post-punk instrumentation."

Selena Serrano was born in the Bronx, N.Y., as the only child of Puerto Rican parents. Six years ago, she decided to relocate to Opa-locka, Fla., after being raised in Colorado, where she was opened up to a new world of cultures. Influenced by Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Amel Larrieux, and Tamia, her soulful, jazz-infused style has led her to sing alongside Akon, Ziggy and Stephen Marley, and Lil Wayne. She has also sung background vocals for Kevin Lyttle, Pitbull, and Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls.

Spinlight City is a five piece group consisting of Rayko Batista (lead vocals), Rey Garcia (guitar/vocals), David Martinez (bass), Tony Noriega (guitar/vocals), and Joey Z (drums/vocals) and combining the energy of rock and roll and pop music hooks. The Miami-based group performed at the Vans Warped Tour in 2007 and the Florida Music Festival in 2008. Their most recent EP, Agree To Disagree, was produced by Orlando-based producer/engineer James Paul Wisner (Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory, Paramore).

Tristan Clopet & The Juice begins with Tristan, who is from Toronto and initiated his career as a musician in New York. Later landing in Miami, the 22-year-old artist created his band the Juice, which consists of Rich Chwastiak (percussion), Phil Muellerschoen (drums), Sean Skeleton (guitar/vocals/keyboards), and Colin Veit (bass/vocals). Their characteristic blend of funk and blues has earned them an invitation to the UK to play along with platinum-selling artist Sandi Thom. Clopet's debut EP, Duende, and featured six original songs.

Tampa's Will Quinlan & The Diviners is composed of Scott Anderson (guitars/lap steel), Brian Lane (upright bass/bow), Jesse Martin (drums, percussion), Will Quinlan (guitar/harmonica/mandolin/lead vocals), and Soraya Zaumeyer (keyboards). Their Contemporary Americana vibe is a combination of Folk Rock, and Country and Bluegrass elements. They explain their sound as "gritty, sorrowful, angry and ultimately triumphant." Their debut album, Navasota, was released in fall 2008.

The Chapter also congratulates the following 2009 Florida GRAMMY Showcase semifinalists: Afrobeta, AKA, Alih Jey, Amely, Ashlelbritton, the Beauvilles, Big Bang Radio, Eli Black, City In Fiction, Colourslide, the Cornerstoners, the Dropa Stone, Ever So Klever, Four Star Riot, Ghost Of Gloria, inPassing, Junior Doctor, Vic Kingsley, Liset Alea, Local 518, Tiffany Martin, Pathway To Providence, Quiet Science, Random Wright, Relo, the Sarah Mac Band, Select Start, the Shoreline, Shutup And Dance, Sound Cannon, Submission Red, Jason Sweet, Terra Terra Terra, Travis James & The Truth, Elisa Victoria, Wait For Green, and Jesse Young.

Florida Chapter members are eligible to receive a discount to attend all shows, conference panels and industry receptions at FMF09. Please click here to access a discount to the Industry Preferred Access to All Pass (music showcases, industry networking parties and conference panels) for $100, a $25 savings, or the Attendee Access to All Pass (music showcase and conference panels) for $50, a $25 savings. For more information about FMF09, visit www.floridamusicfestival.com.