Archives: Artists

Suzanna Sifter

Suzanna Sifter‘s passion for music is only rivaled by her feeling of necessity to fill the world with some form of goodness. In her life this takes the form of jazz piano composition and performance. Currently, Suzanna is also full Professor at the Berklee College of Music.

“We need to support and foster the goodliness around us, as it nurtures our well-being. This is why I feel teaching for me is a high calling. The melodies and rhythms we learn about are the bread and water nourishment of a song. Maybe a melody transports you to that thoughtless space from which the music is derived. Filled with sound, yet infinitely quiet. Breathe.” – Suzanna Sifter

Jenny Burton

Jenny Burton is an amazing Gospel vocalist whose career has spanned several decades. She has sung all over the world as both as a solo performer and with The Jenny Burton Experience.

Produced almost exclusively by Peter Link, she has had a long and varied career as both a Dance Music/R&B artist and a Gospel artist. A consummate performer, Ms Burton has thrilled and inspired audiences around the world with her inimitable style of tear down the house energy and commitment. Daughter of a South Bronx minister, Jenny brings to her music a passion and devotion making Inspirational music at its best.

Julia Wade

Julia Wade is one of those rare and gifted crossover vocalists who can handle both worlds (Classical and Pop) with great style and grace. On top of it all, she is a singer who has the ability to get deeply into the lyric and magically inspire the audience.

Spanning diverse musical styles, Julia has performed nationally and internationally as a concert artist, as well as in opera, cabaret and musical theatre, including The Rome Opera and Carnegie Hall. She has been hailed by critics as “the female equivalent of Josh Groban.”

As a recording artist, Julia is truly at home in the studio with no less than 14 solo CDs under her belt. The 14^th is her new release, “Julia Wade and Friends – A Christmas Album” with special guest artists, Jenny Burton, Rebecca Minor and Peter Link. The album is a beautiful mix of traditional favorites with new arrangements interspersed between a wonderful array of original songs by Peter Link – all capturing the joy and hope of Christmas.

Bobby Stanton

You may have heard him featured on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion or playing in one of several Broadway musicals. You may have also caught his magical fingers strumming with the likes of Mark O’Connor, James Taylor, Richie Havens, Noel Redding, Bo Diddley, Susan Tedeschi, Maureen Mcgovern, Donny Osmond, The Platters, Fabian, Charlie Daniels, only to name a few. In his spare time (what spare time could he possibly have?) he shares his talent and technique as a teacher of guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he was awarded the first ever “Ovation” Award.

Mindy Jostyn

For nearly ten years, Mindy Jostyn toured throughout the eastern United States wowing audiences with her soulful voice, distinctive melodies, witty and insightful lyrics, and her command of a host of different instruments including guitar, violin, harmonica, accordion, and piano.

Prior to launching her solo career, Jostyn toured with some of the biggest names in popular music including Billy Joel, John Mellencamp, Donald Fagen, the Hooters, Joe Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and Carly Simon. She also appeared and/or recorded with John Bon Jovi, Shania Twain, Andreas Vollenweider, Pat Benetar, and Laura Nyro.

Additionally, not only did Mindy Jostyn wow audiences with her soulful voice, distinctive melodies, witty and insightful lyrics, but she brought a unique voice to inspirational and sacred music in the form of gentle folk hymns and truly original songs that speak directly to the hungry heart. Now you can too can bring Mindy’s music to your church and worship experience.

The Accidentals

The Accidentals are known for their sophisticated harmonies, off-beat humor and an eclectic repertoire of original songs and distinctive arrangements. These inspirational music artists, with their unique mixed-voice octet have won numerous awards (National Harmony Sweepstakes Championship, 3 New York MAC Awards, Back Stage Bistro Award, 3 Contemporary A Capella Awards). And their CDs have met with wide acclaim from the a capella community and international radio audiences.

Their songs have been included on the soundtracks of feature films and major network TV shows. The professional credits of group members include the record industry, Broadway and regional theater, poetry, education, art, commercials, industrials, nightclubs, major concert venues and arena tours.

Peter Link

Peter Link wears many hats as Watchfire Music’s CEO and Creative Director, and as producer, composer, lyricist, songwriter, orchestrator, master teacher and director.

Click the links below to visit other areas of this site and beyond to catch up on Peter’s latest musicals, teaching projects, licensing, etc:

See Link Theatrical for Musical Licensing

See Watchfire Music University for Private Music Classes

See Link Recording Studios for Music Recording

See Sparks From The Fire for Peter’s Blog

See Video for interview with NY Music Critic

See Peter Link – an Update for Peter’s New Works and Current Projects

See Peter’s Wikipedia Page for his career history

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Peter Link is probably best known for his work as a composer/lyricist. His CD, Thru Me, is a compilation of some of his favorite songs that he has written throughout his long and varied career. His Ode To Joy album is a mostly instrumental and personal statement on the joys of life. He has also produced and orchestrated for many of the Watchfire artists: Julia Wade, Mindy Jostyn, Jenny Burton, Tom Tipton, Osceola Davis, and Bobby Stanton, to name a few.

Peter Link’s sheet music catalogue continues to expand with song bundles and individual DSM song titles for inspirational singers, church soloists, choirs and concert artists. The latest arrival is his 13- song Solos For Sunday Morning, a treasure trove of new Bible based songs for church soloists.

Peter Link also offers the song bundle for his Broadway musical, King of Hearts. Inspirational songs include solos from the CDs, Upon The Mountain, Story For The Ages, Every Day, and more, as recorded by Julia Wade.

You’ll also find 12 sacred songs from Julia Wade’s CD, Solos, with lyrics from the prose writings of Mary Baker Eddy and music by Peter Link.

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Most Recent! Peter offers 13 New Solos from his new Solos for Sunday Morning Song Bundle!

Says Peter, ”I have truly loved working on this book of solos. About a year ago I made the decision to dedicate a major portion of my life to the study of spirituality through the Bible. And what better way of doing this than through music. The work has been buoyant, challenging and totally fulfilling.”

Branice McKenzie

There was once upon a time a little girl who stood on the cloth covered couch while her Grandmother made currant cake and lamb chops with homemade mint jelly (it was pretty green!). She loved to sing for her Grandma and her Grandma loved to hear her. Over and over Grandma would say, “Sing it again just for me.” And she would. And that little girl has been making music ever since!

Music does that for us all! It makes everybody… the little girl, the little boy, the child in all of us… want to sing, want to make music. It requires that we see the best in all things. It makes us feel good about ourselves. It colorizes our world.

Ms. McKenzie released her first children’s CD, I Am Me: Melodies, Lyrics and Lessons, to rave reviews from children of all ages!

A second grade student from P.S. 38, Brooklyn, NY put it best, “When she sings, I love me”.

Margaret Dorn

When we think of all the great musicians we’ve worked with over the years, Margaret Dorn goes to the top of the list. We’ve often said that with her calm center and deep joy of music, she’s the most professional person we’ve ever worked with. But the real pleasure in the end result is her rich talent.

As a vocalist and arranger, she is at the top of her field. And the real surprise here is her wonderfully sensitive piano arrangements and masterfully sensitive playing of these beloved hymns.

Lew Doty

Lew Doty, although influenced over the years by many artists, has developed a style that is all his own. His lyrics are filled with spiritual principles, his voice ranges from angelic and tender to smoky and hard-driving. The songs he writes are often deeply contemplative, but easily transition to outrageously joyful and sometimes even humorous in their style. But the one continuous thread throughout Lew’s music is its intention. In every song he writes and in every performance he gives, Lew conveys his message of love, acceptance, allowing, peace and connectedness. As one of his fans told him, “Listening to you is better than going to church.” You can’t help but hear God in Lew Doty’s music.