Álvaro Soler is a Spanish singersongwriter. He rose to prominence across Europe with his 2015 hit „El mismo sol“. A special bilingual Spanish / English version of „El mismo sol“ featuring Jennifer Lopez was also made for international release in the United States, UK and worldwide. His 2016 single „Sofia“ also achieved chart success in Europe, reaching number 1 in several countries.

Katzenjammer are an English-language Norwegian band from Oslo, formed in 2005. The band is named after the Katzenjammer Kids, the oldest comic strip continually in syndication.They chose this comic strip because they noticed that they resembled the characters in it. The term Katzenjammer is a German loanword that literally means „lament of a cat“, and is used in Norway to describe low-grade music and instrumentation (which in Germany would be called Katzenmusik – „music by cats“).

Francesco De Gregori is an Italian singer-songwriter. He is popularly known as „Il Principe die cantautori“ („The Prince of the singer-songwriters“), a nickname referring to the elegance of his lyrics. He has also been described by Bob Dylan as „folk Italian hero“. He is often referred as singersongwriter and poet, although he prefers to be identified simply

as „artist“.

A warm, deep sensual voice, yet clear and confident: Mario Biondi patiently and carefully cultivated his music passion starting from a tender age alongside his father: singer Stefano Biondi, in honour of whom Mario took on his stage name. Many diverse experiences made Mario the great artist what he is today: from singing in church choirs to being session singer for niche labels, without neglecting his studies and learning the English language, being Sicilian from Catania, both by birth and by inclination. A lover soul music, in 1988 he began supporting artists of international standing, right up to the calibre of the legendary Ray Charles. But the turning came with the Japanese release of his single

“This Is What You Are”, picked up and relaunched by top BBC1 DJ Norman Jay, who fell in love with the song featuring it and spreading it to the rest of Europe.

The incomparable Tori Amos has sold more than 12 million albums world-wide. As a classically trained musician, she has paved a way for herself as a unique song-writing voice. Her ability to transcend genres with her music can be seen in not only MTV and Video Music Award nominations, but more recently an Echo Classic Award in 2012.

Randy Newman is known for his distinctive voice, mordant and often satirical pop songs, and for his varied film scores. His film scores include Ragtime, Awakenings, The

Natural, Leatherheads, James and the Giant Peach, Cats Don‘t Dance, Meet the Parents, Cold Turkey, Seabiscuit, and The Princess and the Frog. He has scored seven Disney-Pixar

films: Toy Story, A Bug‘s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3, and recently, Monsters University. Amongst others, Newman has been nominated for 20 Academy

Awards, winning twice. He has also won three Emmys, six Grammy Awards and was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2013.

Allen Toussaint is an American musician, songwriter/composer, record producer, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B. The Southern Knight has led a surge of music that spans five decades. Collaborations with Songs covered by Elvis Costello, The Rolling Stones, Patti Labelle, The Who, The Band, Paul McCartney, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Jerry Garcia, Phish and scores of others.

Rebecca Furguson´s music blends soul, pop, blues and R&B genres, with lyrics describing heartbreak and relationships. Her debut album was compared to Aretha Franklin and Macy Gray. On describing her own sound she said, „quite soulful, I don’t know what you compare it to. I’m just me.“