Skip Hancock, pianist and leader of Skylark, writes and/or arranges all the group’s music. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 1976 with a degree in biology; then went on the road with a show band. He’s been a full-time, professional musician ever since then.

He has worked in the Southeastern area of Virginia for over 25 years in a variety of musical settings, leading his Jazz quartets Interlude and Skylark since 1982, and forming the area’s first computer assisted group in 1985.From 1991 to 1998 you could see him performing on the acoustic piano five nights a week at the Norfolk Hilton, playing everything from Classical to Jazz and Pop. From 1999 to 2002, he was the musical director and pianist for the Charles Darden Group, performing in the Tidewater area and in Washington DC (Where they performed at a Presidential Inaugural Ball on 1/21/01). He’s also played at The Greenbrier, The Homestead, and the Canadian Embassy. In 2002 and 2003, he took a job as the music director for the Tom Netherton Show at the Williamsburg Music Theater, leading the eight piece house orchestra. (Tom Netherton was a star on the Lawrence Welk Show for eight years). In 2004 he joined forces with Anna Gunn and they began recording and performing in the Tidewater area. Their new CD is called, Misbehavin' .

Anna Gunn, vocalist is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina and a life-long performer.  She began her career at a young age appearing in professional theater, radio and television productions.  While attending Broughton High School she was a member and soloist in the National Championship Show Choir Carolina Spirit and was selected to attend the North Carolina Governor’s School in vocal music. 

She then went on to attend UNC-Chapel Hill on a vocal music scholarship and while there was a soloist with the National Championship all-female a cappella group the UNC Loreleis where she performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and appeared on Good Morning America and The Today Show. 

After graduation she began performing with leading jazz artists in the Raleigh area where she recorded and produced her first original CD.  After moving to the Tidewater area, she began working with Skip Hancock and Skylark. They have been entertaining audiences with their unique grooves ever since.

Skylark’s percussionist is Kenny Cross.

Kenny has been a part of Skip's groups for 15 years. A musician in the US Navy, he’s performed all over the world in every setting and style imaginable. He currently owns Opus Drums, where he handcrafts beautiful professional percussion and drum kits.

.Wes Smith, bassist for the Skylark Band, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, has performed as a professional musician for over 25 years. He has performed with Skip since 1995, and currently enjoys the opportunity to perform with the Skylark Band. His musical experience includes performances with Bernadette Peters, Regis Philbin, Jay Leno, Steve Martin, Joel Gray, Marvin Hamlisch, The Virginia Symphony and many other touring shows and musicals. As a military musician, he performed around the world, and served as bass instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia from 1995-1998. Wes is currently a high school principal and professional musician.

Jonathan Greenberg plays trumpet in Skylark's six piece band. A native of New York City, Jonathan began working in the city at the tender age of 13, playing with his father's band and the Staten Island Jazztet.

He attended the jazz studies program at VCU in Richmond Va., where he was the featured soloist with the VCU Big Band. He has worked with a who's who of great acts including the O'Jays, the Coasters, the Drifters and even the Ringling Brothers Circus.

He has had a steady job every Thursday in Richmond with the Chez Roue Orchette for the past 11 years.

Keith Philbrick, Skylark's saxophonist, has performed all over the world with the Army Jazz Ambassadors among others. After starting out as an instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music (Where the Army, Navy and Marines send all their musicians for training), Keith became the Director of Instrumental Music for the School.

Well-versed in every style, Keith has played with the Virginia Symphony and numerous shows at Chrysler Hall in every style from classical to jazz and pop music. We're pleased to have him work with us!