              
Musician
Featured this week,
Sharon Thomas, tenor and soprano saxophonist. From Washington DC, Sharon is also a flautist and keyboardist. The piano was her first instrument. From this start, she began playing drums, the flute, and ended with the sax. She began playing sax in high school and said "believe it or not I wanted to hang out with the sax players after hearing Grover Washington and several funk songs that had horn sections". She started a career in computers as a programmer and a web designer, but after being laid off several times due to riffs, realized that she had the sax to fall back on. She says "its a struggle, but I love performing and touching others through my music and I have been doing it full time as a career for 4 years. Since starting her musical career, Sharon has jammed with a number of well-known bands. More recently she has been performing locally with the band "Deep Waters", which features flautist Arch Thompson. Her band, The Sharon Thomas Experience, has performed with Ginuwine, Ralph Tresvant, Dawn Robinson of EnVogue, Mr. Cheeks, Tony Terry, and Teena Marie just to name a few. Sharon is committed to her musical journey and to sharing her musical talents with the world. Sharon can be seen and heard performing at numerous venues in the DC area. |
    
MUSIC - DC Scene -
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Sharon Thomas tenor- and soprano saxophonist.
From Washington DC, Sharon is also a flautist and keyboardist. The piano was her first instrument. From this start, she began playing drums, the flute, and ended with the sax. She began playing sax in high school and said "believe it or not I wanted to hang out with the sax players after hearing Grover Washington and several funk songs that had horn sections". She started a career in computers as a programmer and a web designer, but after being laid off several times due to riffs, realized that she had the sax to fall back on. She says "its a struggle, but I love performing and touching others through my music and I have been doing it full time as a career for 4 years. Since starting her musical career, Sharon has jammed with a number of well-known bands. More recently she has been performing locally with the band "Deep Waters", which features flautist Arch Thompson. Her band, The Sharon Thomas Experience, has performed with Ginuwine, Ralph Tresvant, Dawn Robinson of EnVogue, Mr. Cheeks, Tony Terry, and Teena Marie just to name a few. Sharon is committed to her musical journey and to sharing her musical talents with the world. Sharon can be seen and heard performing at numerous venues in the DC area. Link to - MySpace Music and Images on dcbebop.com Link to - MySpace Music and
Images on dcbebop.com |
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 Matt Rippetoe, Saxophonist
from Washington, DC. Matt began playing the
sax at age 15. He left DC for a while to freelance in Pittsburgh and travel the world as a cruise ship musician, but eventually returned to DC
to pursue his music. These days, he may be heard and seen at local venues performing with the
Dan Roberts Band, Joe Herrera's Landscaping Crew,
The Vampire Monkeys, Dog Fashion Disco,
Touch Acoustra,
Will Rast & Friends, and also
the Oscillators. From experience gained by working with funk groups to metal bands to straight-ahead jazz quartets, Matt has
cultivated a unique sound and musical approach. Check out Matt's
latest CD, "BOINK
" (2007), his MySpace
page and
Website. | |
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  N-GROOVE, The principles in the group are Cedric Givens, who plays drums, guitar, keyboards and other instruments.
Roberto Tyson on Rhythm Guitar and Cheikh Ndoye on Bass. Cedric and Roberto have known each other for many
years. They grew up in the Tampa Bay area and have shared a constant love of music. Cheikh Ndoye is from
Senegal and he has studied, written and played the bass most of his life. All three of them share a common
point of understanding. They all want to create and share their music. Cedric, Roberto and Cheikh are
"N-GROOVE" and they can be heard on their recent CD release "It's Who We Are" on iTunes, Napster and can also be
sampled and purchased on CD-Baby.com. Link to N-GROOVES's MySpace
page, website, CD
Baby. and DC Bebop. |
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 Darlette Gayle - Singer, songwriter
from Washington DC. While growing up, Darlette would write songs and always surrounded herself with things musical. It is not surprising that she would eventually
share her passion with the world. At one point, she was asked to "lay some tracks" for a local rapper. They collaborated and released the songs,
which launched her career as an artist. Darlette has shared the stage with many well known musicians, and has hosted a local TV show,"HCM Production Talent Showcase". Darlette
has released her independent CD, "Whyte Chocolate"
(2005).
Also available on June 21,2008, the new singles "I KNOW U WANT IT" and "DONT
STOP" at CDBaby.com.
Links to Darlette's MySpace page and Website. |
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 David Dyson - Bassist, Songwriter, Arranger and Producer
- born in Rapid City, South Dakota but raised in Washington DC. David began playing the bass when he was 12.
Early in his career, he was the bassist for Saxophonist Walter Beasley. He auditioned for and eventually became musical
director for "New Kids On the Block". Since then he's worked with artists such as Kirk Whalum,
Bob James, Jonathan Butler, Me'shell N'degeocello, Rick Braun, and Najee to name
a few. More recently, he can be heard on Marcus Johnson's 2007 "Phoenix" CD. David often performs with Pieces of a Dream
and is featured on several of their CD's. Link to David's MySpace Music page,
his Soulmate CD and CD Universe discography. |
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 Lena Seikaly, vocalist,
is a native of Falls Church, Virginia. She is the regular singer for several traditional jazz, swing dance, straight-ahead, Latin jazz and fusion groups in the D.C. area, and has
appeared at numerous national and international festivals and venues. Her sound is immediately reminiscent of the great jazz vocalists mixed with the interpretive ingenuity of bebop and modern jazz, while peppering
influence from her Arabic heritage. She has had the pleasure of working and studying with some of the world’s top names in jazz, as well as classical voice (she is a classically trained mezzo-soprano) and Arabic music.
MySpace & Website. |
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Earl Carter - Guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer
from Washington DC. Earl has performed with many groups and played many styles of music from
dance/go-go to jazz. He has been a studio musician, co-produced dialogue recordings for motivational
speakers and sports stars, and he has performed with a host of local and world-renowned artists. To name a few,
he has performed with Bobby Lyle, Marcus Johnson, Jaared, Alyson Williams, Nick Colionne, Bob Baldwin,
Michael Lington, Angela Bofill, Regina belle, Gerald Veasley and opened for
Pieces of a Dream, Spyro Gyra, Bona Fide and many others. Earl's most recent CD
is
titled "My Paradise". Check out the CD on his
Website,
MySpace Music and CD Baby.com
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 Bill "Bumblebee" Davis - Alto Saxophonist, Pianist, Composer, Arranger and Producer.
Bill, a Washingtonian, has been a fixture in the DC music scene for over 20 years, playing with numerous gospel, blues, jazz, and Latin
groups. A prolific writer and arranger, Bill has recorded and produced numerous local artists as well as his own
musical projects. He has performed with Art Blakey, Tito Puente, Chico Mendoza, Steve Turre,
and Branford Marsalis to name a few. He has toured with Ruby Hayes, Skip
Mahoney and the R&B duo Peaches and Herb. Link to
Bill's MySpace page. |
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 Margot MacDonald, Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist
- from Washington DC. Margot released her debut album "Rising"
at the age of 12. Rising received MASC honors and two Wammie nominations for Best Vocalist and Song of the Year.
Margot has just released "TORN" (her sophomore album). Margot was awarded the Young Artist Award from the
Mid-Atlantic Song Contest for her song "Serendipity". The song "Quiet Hero" also placed in the Rock category. Margot tours as
a solo artist and with a full band. She currently attends The Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
Link:
Margot's MySpace Music. |
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 Ron Kearns is a performer, conductor, composer/arranger, record producer and educator.
Ron Kearns is a fan of the old style Blue Note Records recordings. This DC based artist and his group perform Bebop and Hard Bop standards and originals.
Ron has five CD's that are on the Foxhaven label and are available from towerrecords.com, cdbaby.com, amazon.com, itunes.com, napster, rhapsody and other digital outlets.
Ron's latest CD is "Introspective" (2007). Link:
MySpace and Website.
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 Walter
Tates Jr. and the One Nite Stand Band
featuring vocalist Sista Pat. Walter, Sista Pat with the band
(including Tony Harrod on guitar) turn Madam's Organ into a bonafide house
party when they perform. Link to One Nite Stand on MySpace,
in DC Bebop Gallery and Website |
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  Tony Harrod, Guitarist
Soloist. Tony can be heard Monday nights at Madam's Organ
performing with the One Nite Stand Band. He is a featured rhythm and bass guitarist with many groups. Website: Tony Harrod
CD: THP
(CDBaby.com), MySpace Music & Napster
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 B.T. Richardson, Bassist/Composer/Lyricist/Vocalist
- born in Washington, D.C., raised in L.A. BT
started playing electric Bass (against his will) when his brother's band
needed someone to play it. A Blues Man at his core, BT lays
down a heavy beat where ever he plays. Link to BT's MySpace Music page. |
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 Amanda
Lee, Singer/Songwriter
Amanda's lyrics are honest and derive from her personal insight on life, love, faith, and the world around her.
Link to Amanda's:
MySpace
Link to Amanda's
DC Bebop Gallery |
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 Inner Loop is a collective of DC Jazz musicians
blending jazz influenced Improvisation with programming and looping. Charles Ostle drives the band with his deep grooves on a hybrid electric/acoustic drumset, while Marc Blackwood provides the bottom with his live-looped basslines
adding textures and beats with his array of samplers, sequencers, laptop and effects. Joe Herrera, a major compositional figure in the band, layers lush trumpet lines through looping and effects. Anthony Pirog completes the mix with
his diverse approach to the guitar, creating thick walls of sound with his arsenal of stomp boxes and free-form loopers. The band is currently working on their first Album.
Links - Inner Loops's
Website, and MySpace Music page. |
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 The Lovejoy Group
is a dynamic and versatile jazz ensemble versed in Latin and blues rhythms. The group is led by Karen Lovejoy.
Link to Lovejoy Group
DC Bebop Gallery |
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 EnsiDeout featuring Walter Tates, Jr. on Sax, Vocals and Keyboard. Joined by Sista Pat on Vocals. Let this dynamic duo take you on a musical cruise as they embrace you with a diverse selection of rhythms from around the globe. EnsiDeout will spin the dance floor upsidedown..
Link to EnsiDeout: Website |
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 PostModern Blues, featuring
Scott Hedges, Bradford Booth, Cheikh Ndoye, Jeng "Etu" Ebraheem, Adrian Green, Damiene Conner, Kyle Whelan and Matt Ripetoe. Click their CD image to visit
Postmodern Blues website or the following
Link:
Website
and MySpace
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 Ocio
Jazz, is a Washington, D.C.-area jazz quartet with a varied
repertoire that includes everything from Duke Ellington and Thelonius Monk
to John Coltrane and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Composed of reeds, guitar and
percussion, the quartet is equally comfortable in nearly every jazz genre.
Link:
MySpace
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 Nemesis Bleu,
featuring Cedric Givens, and Roberto Tyson . This release also
features the talents of world-class percussionist Gumbi Ortiz (of the Al
DiMeola Band) and the sultry and captivating vocalist Marcy "Lady Ann"
Hamilton. Also lending their musical and production talents are keyboardist
Vernon Burrell and bassist Derek Burrell.
Link: CD:
(CDBaby.com)
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 Proverbs Reggae Band
They embody the positive and creative. Their music focuses on uplifting
the spirit
as well as creating good vibes.
Proverbs Reggae Band
on MySpace
Music.
Link to Proverbs Reggae Band
DC Bebop Gallery |
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 Rock Paper Scissors,
are 10 musicians from Washington DC. In their own words, they "krank GO-GO". Rock Paper Scissors' goal is to revive "GO-GO" and to create a fresh new sound. They seek to create a new genre, to find the "missing link" in music
that will take their listeners beyond "GO-GO". Listen to them on their MySpace page. |
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 The Shango Band
is a D.C. area reggae group that sings about real life and current world issues with a likeable mix of smooth, lovers-edged tunes and harder, more
"true" roots tunes.
Links - Website and
MySpace
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 Art McKinney, Drummer
Straight-ahead Bebop, Rock, Smooth Jazz, Fusion, and Blues.
Can be heard performing with the Jazz Poets, a
Jazz Trio featuring: Henry Gold on Guitar, Eric Shramak on Bass, and Art
McKinney on Drums. Website:
Drummers Corner |
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