Called an “A-list performer” (Philadelphia City Paper) and a “rising star” (Philadelphia Daily News), Philadelphia jazz-soul vocalist and performer Tiffany Jones has been lauded for the “soul and sincerity behind her voice.” The color of her voice and the melodies of her original compositions are drenched in soul with jazz inflections, while her honest, heartfelt lyrics touch listeners with a message of love, joy, peace and healing. Jones’ love of performing started at a young age. Growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she sang her first solo in church at the age of three. “Music has been a huge part of my life since I can remember,” says Jones. “It is the thread that holds both sides of my family together.” Her grandfather, the late Lowman Pauling, was a notable songwriter and guitarist who wrote such classics as “Dedicated to the One I Love,” recorded by the Mamas and the Papas, and the hit “Think,” recorded by James Brown. Eric Clapton credits him as being one of his influences. He and his rhythm and blues vocal group, The Five Royales, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2015.  Jones’ great-uncle Clarence Paul (Pauling) worked for Motown for years and is named as mentor for Stevie Wonder. He wrote, “Until You Come Back To Me,” first recorded by Stevie Wonder and made a hit by Aretha Franklin. Beyond family, Jones credits Whitney Houston as her first and greatest influence. “From her presence on stage to her phrasing, I studied her,” says Jones. Other musical influences range from Rochelle Ferrell to Lalah Hathaway, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson and Carmen McCrae. “These women helped me develop my sound.” Jones moved to Philadelphia in 1994 to attend Temple University, earning a bachelor's degree in music with a concentration in jazz vocal performance. She received a master's degree in music education from the University of the Arts. She has performed in venues across Philadelphia, and has worked with local artists such as Dexter Wansel, Donald Robinson, Tim Warfield, and Orrin Evans. In April 2011, Jones appeared in the PBS special “Malt Shop Memories” as a background vocalist for Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell and other artists at Caesars Hotel & Casino. She performed background vocals on tour for gospel singer and musician Jeff Majors and on his album “Sacred 4 You” (2002), which reached #13 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and #67 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart for 2002. Her original composition, “I Come to Thee” is featured on the album “Kaleidoscope” (2007) by jazz trumpeter Sean Jones and was sung by gospel artist Kim Burrell. In April 2016, Jones released her EP entitled Him. This record marks her second recording; her debut album, entitled “Reincarnation,” was released in 2002. Jones currently serves on the voice faculty of the University of the Arts.

Larry Blank has worked extensively as a conductor, composer and orchestrator/arranger in theater, film, television, and concerts. He has received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his orchestrations of Catch Me If You Can, The Drowsy Chaperone and White Christmas. Larry also received Drama Desk nominations for A Christmas Story and Honeymoon in Vegas. Other Broadway orchestrations can be heard in the Lincoln Center production of The Nance as well as Fame Becomes Me, La Cage aux Folles, The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Tommy Tune: White Tie and Tails. He is currently orchestrating Roman Holiday (Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco). Recent projects include Holiday Inn (Universal/Roundabout Theater), Guys and Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre, West End and Tour), Mrs Henderson Presents (Theatre Royal Bath, West End & Toronto), The Importance of Being Earnest (Vaudeville), and Mack & Mabel (Chichester Festival Theatre and UK Tour). In the West End, Larry orchestrated City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), White Christmas (Dominion), Singin’ in the Rain (Palace Theatre, UK tour, Japan, International tour, Russia and Australia), Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, The Drowsy Chaperone, Guys and Dolls, The Producers, The Beautiful and Damned and Mack & Mabel. His film orchestrations can be heard in The Producers and Chicago. Larry was the conductor/arranger/orchestrator for Jerry Herman’s title song for the film Barney’s Great Adventure, sung by Bernadette Peters, as well as orchestrating/arranging two songs for South Park for Marc Shaiman, music supervisor/orchestrator for Jerry Herman’s Mrs. Santa Claus with Angela Lansbury; arranger/orchestrator for the films What’s the Worst That Could Happen?, The Kid, Kiss the Girls, The American President, Forget Paris, City Slickers II: the Legend of Curly’s Gold, The Net, That’s Entertainment! III, All Dogs Go to Heaven 2, Bogus, North, Speechless, I’d Do Anything, Stuart Saves His Family, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, The Jungle Book 2 and Cats Don’t Dance, composer for two episodes of the television series In the Heat of the Night, as well as music for Sweating Bullets and the Grammys. Larry has arranged and/or conducted for Barbra Streisand, Michael Feinstein (including two tours of Australia and New Zealand), Marilyn Horne, Michael Crawford, Christine Andreas, Joe Williams, Yanni, Marvin Hamlisch, Bernadette Peters, Steve Lawrence, Vikki Carr, Pete Fountain, Elaine Stritch, Lorna Luft, Elaine Paige, Jason Alexander, Martin Short, Georgia Brown and many others. He has orchestrated and arranged for four Academy Awards shows including parts of the (Marc Shaiman-arranged) Billy Crystal medleys. Larry regularly conducts for BBC Radio 2 Friday Night is Music Night. Larry also orchestrates the Olivier Awards for the Society of London Theatre and conducted the Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House in 2015 and 2016.

The Philly POPS Festival Chorus is a 180-voice ensemble that performs with the Philly POPS under the direction of Jeff Kern, Head of the Vocal Division for University of the Arts.

The Philly POPS Festival Chorus began performing in 2002 and performs with the POPS orchestra during the annual Christmas concert series and Broadway series. The chorus has performed with many professional artists including Faith Prince, Capathia Jenkins, Ashley Brown, Lisa Howard, Lauren Kennedy, Rachel York, Alice Ripley, Ann Hampton Callaway, and The von Trapp Family Children.

The Festival Chorus is an auditioned, volunteer organization composed of singers ranging from high school students to retired professionals.