like it's the last song on her planet

A Pittsburgh native,  vocalist Erin Burkett has connected with dedicated listeners throughout the North Eastern United States for over 30 years.  Originating as a blues and spirtuals vocalist and composer,  Erin produced two CD's of original music that reached listeners locally, on National Public Radio and in Europe.  Answering the appeal of a new direction, Erin's creative focus lingers within improvisational music.  

Studying elements of jazz music and taking the voices of favorite instrumentalists to heart,  she crafts refreshing arrangements that re-imagine boundaries of the American Songbook and pens lyrics to accompany music that is regarded as instrumental jazz.       

Performing in clubs, outdoor venues and festivals, Burkett's presence has also been shared through television and radio appearances, as well as being a guest on other artist recordings. Currently working on a new poetry/music recording project, Erin's creativity is flourishing in the rich inspiration of being surrounded by some of Pittsburgh's most accomplished musicians.  With her enduring spirit, Erin finds audiences where they are,  wrapping velvety vocals into heart-shaped gifts...lovingly engaging with each listener.

Pittsburgh jazz (Hall-of-Fame) bassist Virgil Walters embarked on his professional musical career during college years at Carnegie Mellon University while playing upright bass for the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.  Post-graduation music carried him on a year's musical detour to the Virgin Islands playing with Pittsburgh's well-loved Spider Rondinelli before continuing touring the US, Italy, and England with Buddy Greco.  The next six years took Walters on further travels as electric bassist backing up internationally-known recording artist, Maureen McGovern. During those years, that music reached live audiences within the US, Japan, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and in The Philippines. Over his fifty plus years of musical performance,  Virgil and his upright bass have laid the foundation on countless stages with the finest jazz musicians and nationally known artists, including  Rebecca Paris, Sonny Stitt, Dakota Staton, Peggy Lee, and Diane Schuur.  Virgil's bass found a home in the high-energy of the Trio Grande, where together with John D'Amico and Rodger Ryan, their music became a formidable power on Pittsburgh's jazz scene.

Twice voted Pittsburgh's best bassist, Virgil's music is characterized by a raw intensity that unfailingly excites audiences. Virgil loves taking chances and creating musical idea-scapes that routinely reach straight to our hearts.

The energy of the Burkett & Walters collaboration finds fuel and momentum within the love from which it was born.