Fresh out of high school, Beryl married, started a family and began a Federal career which later supported her and her three children during her years as a single mom. There were guitar and piano lessons, her own band known as "Beryl Hart & the Versatiles," and years of occasional gigs with various bands in New Orleans and California. Beryl Hart & "The Versatiles" Through the years, she has performed all types of music (country, rock, jazz standards, Dixieland jazz and contemporary Christian) 
     She met Juan Quinton at her parish church in 1980, having joined the same group music ministry there. When they met, Juan was a Police Officer and Beryl the Civilian Personnel Officer for the 8th District, U. S. Coast Guard. "Endless Love," one of the tracks from their "Amazing Graces" CD, was the first duet they sang together at a friend's wedding. Juan became the first male parent in New Orleans to win custody of his two children; and he and Beryl were married in 1982, merging their two families. Years of group ministry with the "Contemporaries" of St. Dominic Parish in New Orleans, LA "Contemporaries" 2005 & "Contemporaries" Christmas and the freedom of an early retirement (a downsizing "buy-out" in 1994) were instrumental in the evolution of Beryl's personal music ministry, in which Juan would occasionally participate, time-permitting.
     Here are a couple of photos from Beryl's December 3, 2002 personal appearance: At O'Flaherty's (French Quarter Irish Pub) Dec.2002. Beryl picked up her guitar for a March 29, 2003 personal appearance At Louisiana Music Factory Mar.2003 in the French Quarter, and was amazed to hear the gusto with which listeners sang her hymns, in this "away-from-church" setting! Her "free" time from 2001-2004 was also spent as Choir Director at the St. Louis Cathedral School in the French Quarter, and substituting for the Choral Director (absent due to wedding and extended honeymoon) at St. Anthony of Padua School. One of the highlights of those three years was an appearance by the St. Louis Cathedral children at the 2002 New Orleans Jazz Fest featuring their gospel music. On January 15, 2005 Beryl and Juan celebrated the release of their CD "Amazing Graces" At O'Flaherty's Jan. 2005, and they returned to the Louisiana Music Factory on March 19, 2005 to promote their new CD At Louisiana Music Factory Mar. 2005. On June 16, 2005, it was Beryl's honor to sing our National Anthem at the opening of a Louisiana Senate session At LA Senate in Baton Rouge.
     Musical projects include Beryl's debut solo CD, "Like The Seagull," released in November of 2001; then, with Juan's participation -- sharing vocals and providing percussion -- the production of "Amazing Graces" (full-length) and "Jesus, I Trust In You" (a CD single), released in November of 2004. In June 2005, they together produced and released "Following Christ," a music video using one of Beryl's original compositions (track 5 of "Amazing Graces") and the services of Juan's college alumni at WXS Productions.
     In both the Caruso and the Quinton families, there is a rich history of music. The Caruso family tradition calls tenor Enrico Caruso a distant cousin, and Beryl's father had among his original songs a couple of notable early compositions: "America, God's Country," which became one of the tracks on Beryl's "Amazing Graces" CD, and "Rudolph Valentino, Oh How We Miss You." Juan's musical heritage carries on to the fourth generation of his family a name which originated with his great-grandfather Juan Bautista Quinton, a composer and organist who studied at the Conservatory of Paris before moving to Puerto Rico. Juan's grandfather Jose Ignatio Quinton later became one of the island's most celebrated composers, known especially for his Danzas and Requiem Mass. Juan's father Bobby Quinton was a pianist known for his "Bach to Boogie" at locations such as Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, La Lune, and Bobby Quinton's Lounge on Tulane Avenue.
     Beryl and Juan's grown children are scattered among four states, having moved in years prior to 2005. Their granddaughter Harmony (age 12) in California and grandson Logan (age 3) in Texas provide extra reasons for wanting to travel. Sadly, their residence in Lakeview (New Orleans) was suddenly and unexpectedly destroyed with the breach of the 17th Street levee in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Unable to rebuild, they have since relocated to Baton Rouge, LA with Juan still commuting daily to his law enforcement position with the New Orleans Police Department. They are in the process of recovery of their part-time photography business begun in 1983, which -- along with CD releases -- was thriving before the storm destroyed company assets and CD inventories. Planning for a new CD project, begun before the tragic interruption of so many lives in New Orleans, will also resume as soon as circumstances permit. For now, they rely on their faith in God and love of family and friends.

For song sample please visit our Listening Lounges on the Discography Page