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The Wizards of Winter

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For the similarly-named song by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, see Wizards in Winter.
The Wizards of Winter
The Wizards of Winter performing live at the Effingham Performance Center in Effingham, Illinois, December 18, 2015
Background information
GenresChristmas music, progressive rock, symphonic metal
Years active2009–present
LabelsBreaking Bands, LLC
MembersScott Kelly - Music Director, Keyboards
Sharon Kelly - Flute, Vocals
Fred Gorhau - Guitar
Steve Brown - Guitar
Greg Smith - Bass
John O. Reilly – Drums
Alexis Smith - Vocals, Keys
Guy LeMonnier – Vocals
Manny Cabo – Vocals
Tony Gaynor – Narration
Shawna Marie – Backing Vocals
Lacie Carpenter - Violin
Websitewww.thewizardsofwinter.com

The Wizards of Winter is a progressive rock holiday music band from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut working under the label Breaking Bands, LLC. They are an eclectic group of musicians with strong classical and progressive rock influences woven throughout their musical careers; three of the band's members are former members of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, with its name coming from the TSO composition "Wizards in Winter."[1][2]

History

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The Wizards of Winter were formed in 2009 by Scott Kelly, Sharon Kelly and Steve Ratchen as a way to give back to the local community.[3][4] A holiday concert was held to support a local food pantry which was in severe financial straits. They continued to give back the community through several successful holiday music performances in 2010. In 2011 the band embarked upon writing their own Christmas rock opera, Tales Beneath a Northern Star.

The Wizards of Winter released their own self-titled Christmas rock opera album based on entirely original material in 2014.[5][6] In 2015, they released their second album, The Magic of Winter,[7][8] which includes their single featured on Yahoo Music "The Spirit of Christmas".[9][10] Cover art for both albums was designed by rock cover artist Ioannis.[11]

Throughout their tours, the band supports several charities including BackPack Friends (www.backpackfriends.org) and Tunnels to Towers. In addition they donate proceeds from sales of their single "March Of The Metal Soldiers" to the Wounded Warrior Project.[12][13]

The Wizards have toured with five of the original members of Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Tommy Farese, Guy LeMonnier, Tony Gaynor, Michael Lanning and Joe Cerisano). Guy LeMonnier and Tony Gaynor joined the band as an official members in 2014.[14][15] In 2015 The Wizards of Winter toured with Greg Smith, longtime bassist-vocalist for Ted Nugent.[16] In 2016, Greg Smith joined the band as an official member.[17]

In November 2017, the band released a new single in advance of their tour. "Salzburg Carol" is a medley featuring segments of "My Favorite Things" and "Carol Of The Bells" arranged by keyboardist Scott Kelly.[18]

In June 2018, long-time TSO drummer John O. Reilly joined the Wizards of Winter as a full member.[19]

In September 2018, the band announced that vocalist Guy LeMonnier was not returning for the 2018 tour and welcomed Karl Scully of The Irish Tenors into the band. Also new to the band's lineup for the 2018 tour were guitarist Chris Green of Tyketto and vocalist Rebecca Graae.[20]

In the Spring of 2019, it was revealed that the band were in the studio to record a new album [21] and guitarist Steve Brown of Trixter had joined the band. [22]

September 2019 saw the release of their 10-song album, The Christmas Dream. Music videos were released for "Handel's Torch" and "Secrets of the Snowglobe". The album includes four instrumental and six vocal songs, with vocalists Sharon Kelly, Karl Scully, and Vincent Jiovino singing lead. Vincent Jiovino and Karl Scully left the band after the 2019 tour. The band did not tour in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. The 2021 tour saw the return of Guy Lemmonier and the introduction of Manny Cabo who was best known for being a Season 9 finalist on NBC's The Voice[23]

Discography

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  • Tales Beneath a Northern Star (2011)
  • The Wizards of Winter (2014)
  • The Magic of Winter (2015)
  • The Christmas Dream (2019)
  • The Wizards of Winter Live Volume I & Volume II (2024)

References

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  1. ^ "Broadway World: The Wizards of Winter".
  2. ^ "Broadway World: Infinity Hall".
  3. ^ "Plaza Live Orlando".
  4. ^ "Lehigh Valley Live: The Wizards of Winter". 3 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Plaza Live Orlando".
  6. ^ "Sea of Tranquility Four Star Review of The Wizards of Winter".
  7. ^ "Pollstar: The Magic of Winter Album".
  8. ^ "Crave Online".
  9. ^ "Yahoo Music: The Spirit of Christmas".
  10. ^ "Huntington News".
  11. ^ "Melodic Rock".
  12. ^ "Melodic Rock".
  13. ^ "Angels for Mark Charity Christmas Show". 2014-11-07.
  14. ^ "Broadway World: The Wizards of Winter".
  15. ^ "Play Station Theater:The Wizards of Winter".
  16. ^ Corinna Lorenz (November 19, 2015). "The Wizards of Winter joined by Ted Nugent bassist". The Age of Metal. Retrieved December 21, 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ "WIZARDS OF WINTER Announce Additional Holiday Performance Dates - Bravewords.com". BraveWords.com. September 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016. Greg Smith - Bass
  18. ^ "BraveWords: WIZARDS OF WINTER STREAMING NEW SINGLE "A CHRISTMAS DREAM"; BEHIND-THE-SCENES STUDIO VIDEO POSTED".
  19. ^ "WIZARDS OF WINTER ANNOUNCE NEW DRUMMER, FORMER TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA MEMBER JOHN O. REILLY". June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  20. ^ "WIZARDS OF WINTER - Holiday Rock Ensemble Announce 2018 Holiday Season Tour Dates, Plus New Members". September 3, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  21. ^ "A Conversation with John O.Reilly". April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  22. ^ "TRIXTER GUITARIST STEVE BROWN JOINS HOLIDAY ROCK ENSEMBLE THE WIZARDS OF WINTER". May 30, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  23. ^ "A Conversation with The Wizards of Winter". November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
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