PRESS RELEASE

Holiday rock ensemble the WIZARDS OF WINTER – featuring former members of the Trans-Siberian OrchestraRainbow and the bands of Alice Cooper and Ted Nugent – are set to kick off their annual U.S. holiday tour next Thursday, November 16 in Clearwater, FL.

Each night, the ensemble will evoke the spirit of Christmas, weaving a story entirely based on their latest album, The Magic of Winter, and new music. Each WIZARDS OF WINTER performance showcases soaring vocal harmonies, precision string instrumentation, outstanding guitar leads, powerful percussion and stunning keyboard work – taking the listener on a musical “sleigh ride”, covering many genres from pop to progressive rock.

In celebration of next week’s kick off, the WIZARDS OF WINTER have released a brand new, magical holiday track, “A Christmas Dream” – an enchanting medley featuring segments of the classic holiday tunes “My Favorite Things” and “Carol of the Bells”. Listen to the new single here, and also check out the WIZARDS OF WINTER discussing their favorite things plus a behind the scenes studio performance here.

The WIZARDS OF WINTER musical director and keyboardist Scott Kelly says about the track: “The arrangement for “A Christmas Dream” has been something that I’ve played during Christmas time for about 20 years; my kids grew up hearing me play it on the piano. It is wonderful to have been able to get together with the band and create a full dynamic orchestration that really brings the song to life. Everyone worked to make it just perfect. We hope it becomes a new holiday anthem.”

As with their most recent album, The Magic of Winter, “A Christmas Dream” is produced by Eric Rachel (in tandem with WIZARDS OF WINTER‘s music director/keyboardist Scott Kelly) at Traxeast (Symphony X, Skid Row, Styx). The track can be purchased via www.thewizardsofwinter.com.

Currently Confirmed WIZARDS OF WINTER Tour Dates:

11/16 – Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre

11/17 – Melbourne, FL @ King Center for the Performing Arts

11/24 – Vineland, NJ @ Landis Theater

11/25 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre

12/2 – Fairmont, MN @ Fairmont Opera House

12/3 – Mitchell, SD @ Corn Palace Theatre

12/8 – Bremerton, WA @ Admiral Theatre

12/9 – Longview, WA @ Columbia Theatre

12/10 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall

12/14 – Warrendale, PA @ Jergels

12/15 – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Hall

12/16 – Englewood, NJ @ Bergen PAC

12/17 – Easton, PA @ Easton State Theatre

12/21 – Traverse City, MI @ City Opera House

12/22 – Adrian, MI @ Crosswell Opera House

12/23 – Canton, OH @ Canton Place Theatre

+ More TBA

Previous tours have seen the WIZARDS OF WINTER performing their brand of theatrical yuletide rock to tens of thousands of attendees and has grabbed the attention of mainstream media such as Entertainment Weekly and Yahoo Music. Check back for more performance confirmations and ticket links via www.wizardsofwinter.com/tour-dates/.

About The WIZARDS OF WINTER:

The WIZARDS OF WINTER are a 12-member ensemble performing classical and progressive-influenced rock music woven throughout a theatrical holiday-themed show. While the group’s style is undoubtedly inspired by the genius of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra(TSO), the WIZARDS OF WINTER offer a diverse array of unique, original material with broad audience appeal performed in a more intimate setting.

In addition to current WIZARDS OF WINTER and former TSO members Tony Gaynor and Guy LeMonnier who joined the band in 2013, former TSO members Joe Cerisano, Michael Lanning and Tommy Farese have all toured with the band in previous years.

The WIZARDS OF WINTER‘s most recent full-length release is entitled The Magic of Winter.The album can be ordered in physical format here or purchased digitally via iTunesThe Magic of Winter features the unforgettable single, “The Spirit of Christmas”, which you can watch the spirited music video for here.

“The band features original members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, so it comes as no surprise to hear sweeping, dramatic arrangements of holiday songs and classics on The Magic of Winter – a fine record to get your Santa spirit flowing in full force…” – CraveOnline

 

“It’s a Christmas album that both metalheads and non-metalheads can enjoy.”– About.com

 

“Excellent musicianship and dazzling special effects bundled into a story often results in entertainment spectaculars that audience members talk about months and months after the experience.” – Pollstar

 

“World class musicians that you need to experience live…” – Aquarian Weekly

 

“Powerful crescendos, the heavenly choir and the mighty chimes – you’ll be breaking out the eggnog in no time…” – Asbury Park Press

 

“Waken to the Sound is a masterpiece…” – BraveWords

WIZARDS OF WINTER is:

Scott Kelly – Music Director, Keyboards

Sharon Kelly – Flute, Vocals

Fred Gorhau – Guitar

TW Durfy – Guitar

Tommy Ference – Drums

Greg Smith – Bass

Ellie Krasner – Violin

Mary McIntrye – Keyboards, vocals

Guy LeMonnier – Vocals

Vincent Jiovino – Vocals

Shawna Mehall – Vocals

Tony Gaynor – Narration

To learn more about the WIZARDS OF WINTER, please visit www.facebook.com/TheWizardsofWinter and www.thewizardsofwinter.com.

PRESS RELEASE

2014
 
New Wizards of Winter album artwork to be designed by legendary Greek Album Cover Artist  Ioannis

Legendary record cover artist Ioannis (Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Styx, Blue Oyster Cult, King Crimson, Bob Weir, Allman Brothers Band, Dream Theater) will be joining forces with The Wizards of Winter to produce cover artwork for their upcoming album to be released later this year. Ioannis will also design merchandise and the tour art for their upcoming 2014 schedule.
 
Says Ioannis, "I think The Wizards of Winter is an incredibly talented group of individuals and it will be cool to work on their holiday project, so I am really looking forward to doing this."  Plans are also in discussion for additional ventures to be announced later this year. 
 
The Wizards of Winter, the prog-metal-meets-classical rock band that has been hard at work recording their second release, are excited to be working with this iconic artist for the design of their album cover artwork.  Ioannis has created the covers of over 170 albums, with his art firmly rooted in fantasy and surrealism. The currently untitled album, produced by Tommy Farese of Trans-Siberian Orchestra fame, promises to continue the band’s style of integrating elements of hard rock and classical influences into a distinctive blend of original compositions.
"We are honored to have the privilege to work with a creative master like Ioannis,” said Scott Kelly, leader of The Wizards of Winter. “His art work has graced the album covers of so many of the music industry's legendary performers that he too, truly is a legend. When Ioannis contacted us and told us that he really liked our material and wanted to work together, we were really quite surprised given where the band is in its development. It is just another proof point that the Wizards are really beginning to gain some broad recognition.
 
After speaking with Ioannis, Steve Ratchen, one of the other co-founders of the band, and I both found that besides being a very nice and approachable guy, his artistic concepts and marketing directions appear to be exactly what we need at this time to assist us in moving to the next level. We are humbly grateful that he has chosen to work with us and greatly look forward to working with him."
 
For more info on Ioannis please go to his website: http://www.dangerousage.com
 
For more info on The Wizards of Winter, visit http://thewizardsofwinter.com
 
And also join his facebookpage at. https://www.facebook.com/DANGEROUSAGEART?ref=hl
 

PRESS RELEASE:  Tommy Farese and Tony Gaynor, original members of TSO to tour with The Wizards of Winter again in 2014.
http://www.bravewords.com/news/220967