"All of the musicians on the album really came together on this recording and truly made it what it is. Without them it wouldn't be nearly the album it is. Opening yourself up to others, giving music to others just makes it better."

PATRIC MARKS - he brought his beautiful music, left his shoes at home.

Patric Marks is originally from Western India. Patric learned Sitar while living in the home of his Guru. Patric received a Phd. in music from Akhil Bharatya Ghandharava University. In India, Patric ran a music school and also arranged orchestra for over a dozen films. Patric came to the United States in 1973. Patric composes music for modern dance, works with groups in Canada, gives concerts, has his own "India Music Ensemble", and teaches over 175 Sitar students in Chicago. Patric also enjoys unusual and unique collaborations with western music groups such as Linda M. Smith's.

KALYAN PATHAK - a true professional

Kalyan Pathak is from Ahmedabad, India. He has been playing since the age of 3. At age nine he started formal training in Tabla. He moved to Bombay in the mid eighties to study drum set, jazz and fusion, and orchestral percussion. Kalyan has done much commercial work on India National TV and Asian MTV. He came to Chicago in 1991 and graduated with a degree in Jazz Studies from Roosevelt University, with honors, in 1996. Kalyan teaches Tabla and conducts Master Classes and clinics. Kalyan performs with his original band called "Discolor" as well as many other bands ranging from jazz, rock, fusion, to Indian classical, Klesmer, experimental and orchestral music.

FAREED HAQUE - a man with attitude

Fareed Haque has had a wide and varied exposure to music culminating in his style of jazz and/on classical guitar. Robert Arendt (drummer for Linda M. Smith) joined a group with Fareed in 1981 only to receive a call the next day from Fareed who said he had been awarded a scholarship to North Texas State University. Needless to say, Fareed took it. Fareed later completed his studies at Northwestern University. He is currently an associate professor at Northern Illinois University. As a classical guitarist, Fareed has performed as soloist and accompanist with Nigel Kennedy, Robert Conant, Edgar Meyer, members of the Vermeer Quartet and many other symphony orchestras. His jazz stylings have led him to collaborations with Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Edgar Meyer, Bob James, Dave Holland, Sting, Javon Jackson and Joe Zawinal. Twice selected as "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" by Downbeat Magazine, Fareed has performed on Ben Sidran's "New Visions", David Sanborn's "Sunday Night" on NBC, his own "Lonesome Pines Special" for PBS and on BET's cable jazz channel.

MICHAEL SMITH - red wine and books make micheal a happy man.

Michael Smith has been writing songs for quite a long time. Some of his most famous being "The Dutchman", "Spoon River", "Last Days of Pompeii" and "Dead Egyptian Blues". As a song writer Michael has collaborated with the likes of Steve Goodman, Bob Gibson, Claudia Schmidt, Bonnie Koloc, Cindy Mangsen and Jim Post. In the late 80's, Michael was commissioned by Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater Company to write the music for their production of the "Grapes of Wrath". Micheal performed in the play where it ran for more than a year in Chicago, London and La Jolla California before going on to Broadway, where it won two Tony awards. Michael has also written music for a production of "The Snow Queen" and in 1993, a personal remembrance called, "Michael, Margaret, Pat and Kate". This composition won four Joseph Jeff Awards, (Chicago's "Tony" award) for Best Actor in a review, Original Music, Best New Work and Best Adaptation. Michael continues writing and touring around the U.S. and Canada including performances at the Kerrville, Black Mountain and Philadelphia Festivals, Owen Sound and Winnipeg Folk Festivals. Michael has been on WUMB Radio "Circles in the Stream", Studs Terkel's WFMT radio program, "All Things Considered" and "Good Evening" on National Public Radio.

WILLIAM HALL - this guy does it all.

William Hall has a wonderful voice and plays guitar. William is a hair colorist and a friend of Linda M. Smith.

BARBARA BARROW - she can sing.

Barbara Barrow has been singing for a number of years. Barbara teaches guitar at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and gives private voice lessons. Barbara released a CD in October of '98 called "Woman In The Mirror". Featured are Linda M. Smith on keyboards and vocals and Robert Arendt on drums, percussion and vocals, Steve Levitt on bass and guitar. The CD contains many songs penned by Barb's husband Michael Smith. It was recorded and mixed by Robert Arendt at his private studio.

ROBERT ARENDT - the man behind Linda.

Robert Arendt continues to play drums after 20 years of experience. Robert has played rock, country, new wave, blue grass, folk, jazz, orchestral, drum and bugle and "pop"ular music. Previous to working as a staff drummer and engineer at Pegasus Recording, Robert created recordings using home tape recording equipment. Robert plays with Linda M. Smith (whenever he gets a chance) and with the "Revolutionary Swing Orchestra". Robert works as a freelance musician, producer, audio engineer and consultant (both live and recorded). Robert sings harmony, plays percussion, guitar, writes and arranges music on the piano.

MARK BERINGER - a merlot lover and great talent.

Mark Beringer is a gifted bassist who has worked with The Count Basie Orchestra, The Artie Shaw Band, Lena Horne, Diane Carrol, Carol Lawrence, Mark Madsen, Dave Leibman, Angela Bofill, Michael Brandmier, Cooler By The Lake, The Arbors and The Ken Arlen Orchestra. Robert Arendt first met Mark while working live sound for Ken Arlen. Mark has had memorable performances at the White House, Carnegie Hall and Royal Festival Hall (London) with Vic Damone. Mark plays four and five string fretted and fret less electric basses as well as the acoustic upright bass.

THOMAS MILLER - the WOO man.

Thomas Miller plays bass with Chicago group Woo Woo Stick. Tom is the house engineer at the Parkwest in Chicago and is currently touring the United States with Patty Griffith as her live sound engineer.

SCOTT HIRTENSTEIN - the reggae healer.

Scott Hirtenstein is a very talented percussionist who has been performing with Linda M. Smith on and off since 1990. Scott is a Rake Master and has just welcomed another son (Jake) into the world in early 1998.