STACEY KNIGHTS
The only thing small about Stacey Knights is the petite, blonde package that somehow manages to contain her extraordinary energy, her huge talent, and her enormous heart. Her first song, written at age ten to commemorate the name change of her elementary school, would be a milestone in a lifetime of creativity. By age seven, she knew music would be her main medium. She attended both St. Cloud State University and University of North Texas for music performance on saxophone and flute. A native of Massachusetts, Stacey is currently based in southwest Florida where audiences throughout have come to love her as a vocalist, songwriter, saxophonist and flutist, who elegantly weaves all the glistening strands of her talent into each brilliant performance. She works at her craft of songwriting and performs solo or with a band on a local level in public venues, restaurants, special events, festivals, country clubs, schools, churches and care-giving facilities. She loves touring when opportunities present themselves. As a professional artist, she has produced three CDs, containing mostly original music. On her second CD "While You Dream", Knights wrote and performed a tribute to Thelonius Monk with a song titled "Morning Monk", which won first prize in the March Jazz Competition sponsored by American Idol Underground. As a result of this win, she was named a "Best Emerging Artist of 2006" by American Idol Magazine. She also placed second in the AIU-Big Push II competition for her original song "Doin' Nothin' With You", also from the CD, While You Dream. Stacey has headlined festivals and performed openers for major smooth jazz artists Peter White, Richard Elliot, Bad to the Bone, Warren Hill, The Rippingtons, Euge Groove, Chuck Mangione and Spyro Gyra. Her solo career has led to the release of three original CDs that culminated in airplay in over one hundred fifty markets across the United States. Stacey's music proves particularly popular in Texas where she has graced the stages of many festivals including, The Texas Jazz Festival, Jazz S'Alive, Balcones Heights Jazz Series, San Antonio Summer Art and Jazz Festival, and the SAZA Taste of New Orleans in San Antonio. Since beginning her solo career, Stacey has released three albums that have received airplay nationally and internationally in over one hundred fifty markets. She has been interviewed by college and mainstream radio stations and television networks across the country. Knights was listed as "best emerging artist" for her songwriting by American Idol Magazine, interviewed as a featured saxophone artist by Saxophone Journal, and pictured in ads for Down Beat Magazine by Bari Woodwinds, Inc., whose mouthpieces she plays exclusively. In concert, Stacey Knights' performance blends AC and Pop/Jazz influences crafting a sound that is mesmerizing and exciting. She keeps her scores of loyal fans aware of local appearances through an inspiring monthly e-newsletter, and they keep coming back to hear her again, and again, and again.