               
Musician
Featured this week,
Drew Davidsen is a multi-talented composer/guitarist - Drew is a classically trained cellist who studied at the Peabody Conservatory, but he was drawn from the classics by his ever growing interest in rock and jazz. He plays several instruments, but while in the Navy, he returned to the guitar, and that became his instrument of choice. During his career, Drew has been part of nearly 30 high profile projects. He has received high praise for his musical talents from his playing of urban jazz to his gospel music. Drew was named one of the “Ten Hottest New Guitarists” in Guitar Player Magazine’s influential Reader’s Poll. In 2008, Drew self-produced his first solo album, "This Journey". On the heels of the release of "This Journey", he wrote, recorded and released two preview tracks online. “Astro” and “Bounce”, which were both well received, the tracks feature Dan Needham on drums, Gary Lunn on bass and pianist Jay Rowe. In 2009, Drew released "Around Again", which has attracted a lot of attention and good reviews. "We3Stringz" CD was released in 2010 and "Spin Cycle" in 2011. Drew can be seen and heard at venues around the U.S. and numerous festivals.
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 Saxophonist, composer, arranger, band leader, and producer Paul Ahlstrand,
is considered to be one of the best saxophonists in the Boston area. Paul began playing the sax in elementary school. By high school, he was performing in two professional bands. He majored in Music Education at Syracuse University, where "he learned from artists such as Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Toshiko Akioshi and Lew Tabakin, Nick Brignola and Phil Woods. It was Woods that gave him a most valuable piece of practical working-musician advice: 'Shut up, drink a beer, play a song.' After graduation, he earned his road stripes touring the country for a year with a Top-40 band before returning to Boston to freelance and teach privately." From 1992 - 2001 he performed and toured with vocalist Toni Lynn Washington. While working with her band, "he arranged and co-produced Washington's first Tone-Cool Records release, "Blues at Midnight," which garnered W.C. Handy and NAIRD award nominations." After his stint with the Toni Lynn Washington band, Paul did studio work, engaged in special projects and collaborations and taught at Tufts University. During his musical career, "Paul has performed with: The Temptations, Dennis Brennan, Ronnie Earl, The Family Jewels, The Four Tops, Tim Gearan, Luther 'Guitar Junior' Johnson, Thad Jones, The Love Dogs, Gato Malo, Mighty Sam McCain, Nicole Nelson, Rebecca Parris, Son Seals, Howard Tate, Susan Tedeschi, Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons, Toni Lynn Washington, and many others." He can be heard leading his stellar quartet on Sundays in Cambridge, MA performing at Toad in Porter Square and numerous other venues in the area. Check out Paul's most recent CD on
the Gibraltar label titled "Sunday Hang",
which showcases several original tunes by him. Read about him on his Website and
listen to him on MySpace.
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Trumpeter, composer
Mark Rapp. Mark is originally from South Carolina, he began playing trumpet in the sixth grade. He is a graduate of Winthrop University in South Carolina.
He received his Masters in Jazz from the University of New Orleans. Mark moved to New York to cast his fate to the musical winds there. It was difficult times in the beginning, but his music carried him through.
He has performed with many top artists over the years including "Rockers like Darius Rucker, Hootie & The Blowfish, Edwin McCain and Sister Hazel." From the jazz side,
He has worked with Walter Blanding Jr., Don Braden, Gerald Clayton, Wess Anderson, Wycliffe Gordon, Seamus Blake, John Ellis,
Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis and Rodney Green, to name a few. Mark is seen as being a "new breed of young trumpeters... The resultant music they create melds and brings together the radio music of their youth with the history of their horn to find fresh ways to approach and fashion a style of playing." Mark is seen to be "one of the best examples of the direction being taken by this new breed". Currently, Mark dually resides in Geneva, Switzerland and New York, NY and is constantly performing in support of his critically acclaimed debut record Token Tales. Mark and Don Braden (Braden-Rapp) have released their new CD: The Music of Billy Strayhorn titled "The Strayhorn Project" recorded with Gerald Clayton and Sachal Vasandani. In 2011, Mark released "Good Eats" to good reviews: "In crafting a tribute to Donaldson, trumpeter Mark Rapp honors this diversity and organic amalgam of music by touching on various styles, as he works his way through Donaldson's catalog."
Links: MySpace, website,
Braden-Rapp, Mark Rapp store, DC Bebop.
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 Bob Niederriter - jazz artist, composer, guitarist and arranger
- During his career he has studied and performed with great artists in jazz and modern classical music. All for
the purpose of achieving excellence in his pursuit of music. At the same time searching and finding
inspiration and instruction from masters of music. During the course of his life Bob has pursued
multiple art forms. His other artistic accomplishments include being a glass blower, painter, cook
and gardener. He is an accomplished artist in many disciplines. As a Guitarist he cites the dominant
influence of Wes Montgomery on his thumb technique, his tone and his compositional style. He also
points to the seminal recordings of Charlie Christian and Barney Kessel as having had an important
impact on his playing. As a guitarist he has also been strengthened through study with masters such
as Jimmy Rainey, Cal Collins, Jack Wilkins, Herb Ellis and Jim Hall With respect to chording and
texture , one hears in Niederriter's playing the influence of Farlow and Montgomery". Bob is very
active in the Cleveland jazz scene and can be heard at numerous venues in the area. Bob's CD "Full Circle (2003) available on CD Baby.
Links: Reverbnation,
Facebook Band Page and DC Bebop. |
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 Ragan Whiteside - flutist, vocalist and songwriter.
Ragan is originally from Mount Vernon, New York. She began her study of
musical at the age of 5. She took piano lessons, played drums, and
eventually gravitated to the study of the violin, but in the final analysis,
she chose playing the flute and studying classical music. She also discovered a
love of songwriting and arranging. Ragan studied at the Cleveland Institute
of Music and the Harid Conservatory, where she earned her Bachelor of Music
- Performance degree. After graduating, she returned to New York to advance
her musical dream, and while there she took a major turn from her chosen
path of Classical music to follow her interests for Jazz, Funk, and R&B. In
2006, she won the Capital Jazz Challenge at the Capital Jazz Festival. She
returned to the festival in 2007 with a new "critically acclaimed" album,
Class Axe. She penned half the songs on the album. It was produced by
Pianist/Arranger Bob Baldwin and Engineer/Arranger Dennis Johnson. During her career, Ragan has performed with Earl Klugh, Gerald Veasley, Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun, Eric Darius, Kim Waters, Marion Meadows, and Grammy Award winning opera singer Esther Hinds, and Bob Baldwin. Link:
Reverbnation, Website,
Jazz Review Interview and DCBebop page.
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 Lauren Hooker Jazz vocalist, composer and lyricist from Teaneck, NJ. In her bio it is written that Lauren "was born into music ... as early as in the womb (kicking to the beat - my mother tells me)... hearing my dad jam with his fellow musicians in the basement ... starting piano lessons at age four ... meeting Bill Evans at the Vanguard whom my father recorded with in college ... being exposed to and singing most of the major classical oratorios with full orchestra ...shaking hands with Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck ...reaching for Sarah Vaughan's range, Ella's scat, Miles Davis' tone and Coltrane's intention. Lauren's talents were recognized and encouraged early in life and allowed her to develop her skills. Her critically acclaimed debut CD produced by Rufus Reid and Allen Farnham entitled: "Right Where I Belong" was released in May of 2007, with Rufus Reid on the bass, Allen Farnham on piano and Tim Horner on drums and percussion. In 2010, Lauren released "Life of the Music", which was described as both "ambitious and eclectic" with "American Songbook" standards, and several of her original songs. Lauren has been featured and can be heard in many major venues in the New York metropolitan area. Link:
MySpace, Facebook, Miles High Records, Website and DC Bebop page. |
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 Bill McGee - Trumpeter,
songwriter, arranger, producer, educator, musical mentor and quintessential musician. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Bill comes from a family of musicians. His grandfather was a former educator and became a top selling gospel music recording artist and pioneer. Bill became an educator and he is noted as being a top trumpet man in the music industry for well over thirty years. His musical credits are numerous. Bill performed with Evelyn "Champagne" King. He worked as a member of the New York based studio horn section "Chops". His group recorded all of the Sugar Hill Records rap classics (before samplers took over). He played lead trumpet on many of the original rap records by “Grand Master Flash, The Sugar Hill Gang, The West Street Mob and Sequence (Angie Stone) He also played lead trumpet on albums by The O’Jays “Out In The Real World,” Leon Huff “The Right
Stuff,” Patti Labelle, The Stylistics, and McFadden and Whitehead. Bill
performed as a musician with Lou Rawls and Ray, Goodman, and Brown (The
Moments.) After many years of recording behind the scenes for others, Bill
decided to begin recording his own CD's. On these CD's you'll find what he
calls the 804 Jazz All Stars, and in Bill's words, "essentially the best
musicians and singers that Virginia has to offer". Many of whom have their
own outstanding professional discographies and track records.
Links:
Website, Discography,
MySpace Music and
DC Bebop. |
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Composer, trumpeter and vocalist Nate Birkey. He studied music at Berklee in Boston, Seattle Pacific University and the University of California Santa Barbara. For a number of years
Nate was a "jazz presence" in Southern California and was referred to as a quintessential "west coat jazz musician".
He performed with a number of groups before forming his own Quintet and moving to New York City. Over the years,
he has contributed to and released a number of CDs. His Quintet released "Indelibly You" in 1998, "Mennonite" in 2001, "Ballads" also in 2001 and "Shortest Day" in 2004. All of Nate's efforts have received glowing reviews for his songwriting, composition, style of play and his singing.
In 2008 Nate released "Almost Home" and "christmas" - "his first recordings made with his New York City quintet of saxophonist Sal Giorgianni, pianist Jim Ridl, bassist Tony Marino and drummer Marko Marcinko." Bob Agnew
of the L.A. Jazz Scene writes, "Nate's subtle vocal and trumpet approach has often been compared to that of Chet Baker and Miles Davis respectively. A sound poised and assured, powerfully stark and spare, it creates an atmosphere at once solitary and electric."
Links: Reverbnation, Facebook and MySpace. Visit his website. |
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Kiku Collins -Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Valve Trombone, Vocals, Actor, Songwriter.
Kiku Collins, classically trained
trumpet player at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy and Manhattan
School of Music, found her way to a successful pop/jazz career, sharing the
stage with many musicians - most notably with Beyonce (on trumpet and
trombone) and Michael Bolton (trumpet and vocals). She has also been seen as
an actor/musician in off-Broadway shows in NYC, as an on-camera actress in
Television commercials, as well as heard on countless television and radio
commercials and television shows. Kiku is a Getzen featured trumpet
artist and "Freelance Trumpet Player who began playing the trumpet in the fifth grade in the footsteps of her older brother." Kiku has released two CDs. "Here With Me" (2007) and "Red Light" in June 2011. Listen to Kiku on Reverbnation and MySpace.
Visit her website,
her Facebook Fans page and her DC Bebop page. Buy her CDs at CD Baby.com. |
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Perry Conticchio, a musicians musician - plays all the saxes, a bit of flute and occasionally bass clarinet. Perry is also a band leader, mentor and teacher of music.
A New Jersey native, he studied music at Miami University of Ohio and Berklee College of Music in Boston, at Berklee he studied with Joe Viola, John LaPorta and Charley Mariano. In 1976 Perry relocated to the
DC area, where he performed with and learned from three multi-talented musicians - Don Cherry, Anthony Braxton and Sam Rivers. At one point, Perry was co-leader of a jazz quartet "Clarity". From this experience,
he started his own quartet. Perry plays all types of music, but he says his real
love is jazz. Perry can be heard performing at several local venues in the
DC area. Pick up his CD "Speak Your Truth" which you can purchase on his
website. Links: website and
MySpace page. |
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"Sweet" Sue
Terry is an alto and soprano saxophonist, songwriter and writer.
Sue grew up listening to Jazz from her father's jazz album collection. She later pursued
the study of music while in High School, studying under pianist and educator John Mehegan. Sue began her musical
career performing at church functions and in musical theater at the age of 16.
She attended and graduated from the University of Hartford where she was a protégée' of the late great saxophonist Jackie McLean at the Hartt
School of Music, and the first graduate of the jazz studies program he founded. She began playing jazz gigs while
attending Hartt. On the advice of Jackie McLean, Sue moved to New York City where she was a featured soloist with
many bands. Sue has appeared as a Jazz soloist with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, with the New York
Pops at Carnegie Hall and with the Brooklyn Philharmonic at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. She has performed at
numerous jazz festivals, at Montreux Jazz Festival, the Nice Jazz Festival, the Pori Jazz Festival, the Northsea
Jazz Festival and the Blue Note in Tokyo and many more. Link:
Website,
MySpace,
CD Baby Discography,
and on DC Bebop |
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 Jonathan Parker - Saxophone . Originally from the Washington D.C. area, Jonathan currently resides in New York City. "He graduated from The Oberlin Conservatory in 2008 where he studied under jazz legend Gary Bartz, as well as other world-class musicians, including Wendell Logan, Marcus Belgrave, Billy Hart, Dan Wall, and Robin Eubanks." Jonathan has also performed with Jimmy Heath, Dave Brubeck, and Slide Hampton while attending Oberlin. He has shared the stage with Terence Blanchard, Randy Brecker, Mulgrew Miller, and David Berkman to name a few. Jonathan has also performed at Carnegie Hall, Fat Cat Jazz Club in NYC, Stanford University in California, Skidmore College in New York, Night Town Jazz Club and The Bop Stop in Cleveland, OH. Jonathan moved to Shanghai, China, where he lived and performed for two years. Jonathan toured for 4 month in Beijing with American jazz singer Frankye Kelly. Now living in New York City, Jonathan has gotten to know and perform with "many talented and innovative young musicians who are at the vanguard of modern jazz." Jonathan leads his own band, the "Jonathan Parker Group" for which he "exclusively composes and arranges." Influenced by a wide range of musical genres and manifesting his experiences from all over the world, Jonathan Parker’s compositions and improvisations have been described by reviewers from All About Jazz as “bold,” “having an intense energy,” “sentimental,” and “emotional.” ~ Assembled from multiple sources
Links:
Website, Reverbnation,
MySpace and
DC Bebop page. |
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 Onaje Allen Gumbs - pianist, composer and bandleader. "Born in Harlem and raised in Queens, Onaje started playing piano at age 7. He graduated from Manhattan’s High School of Music and Art as well as SUNY at Fredonia. In 1971, a gig with master guitarist Kenny Burrell at Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit led to recording and sideman gigs with such artists as Norman Connors, Buster Williams, Cecil McBee, Betty Carter and Nat Adderley. He spent 2 years as pianist/arranger/composer in the band led by the late, great trumpeter Woody Shaw. As a producer/arranger/pianist, Onaje has worked with other artists such as Phyllis Hyman, Stanley Jordan, Will Downing, Angela Bofill, Sadao Watanabe and Cassandra Wilson."
He is a 2006 NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Jazz Artist for his album, "Remember Their Innocence". His CD "Sack Full of Dreams" (18th & Vine - 2007), was a Jazz Improv Magazine pick amongst best albums of 2007. In Dec 2010
he released "Just Like Yesterday" (Pony Canyon Records) R&B and Jazz classics featuring Victor Bailey, Omar Hakim, Billy Spaceman Patterson and Chuggy Carter.
He served as producer of the 2009 self-titled debut album "Kenny Davis" by bassist Kenny Davis (Daken Records). Onaje is featured pianist on Avery Sharpe's albums, "Dragonfly"(2005), "Legends and Mentors"(2008), "Autumn Moonlight"(2009) and "LIVE"(2010).
He composed, arranged and performed the original score for the 1994 Showtime Network film, "Override", directed by actor/producer Danny Glover. He is currently working on the film score as well as serving as Music Supervisor for an upcoming indie film entitled "Indelible", which is due for release in 2011.
Links:
Wikipedia, Reverbnation,
MySpace and
DC Bebop page. |
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 Freeport, Smooth Jazz, Jazz/Funk, and Jazz Standards -
Freeport, organized in 1981 in Philadelphia, "Scott Marvill assembled a group of musicians eager to play the music they enjoyed. Jazz." Freeport has recorded and performed with Tower Of Power, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Special EFX, and Grover Washington Jr. to name a few. Several years ago Scott moved to Winston-Salem, NC where he reorganized Freeport. The band has performed with artists like Bob James, James Cotton, Joyce Cooling, Paul Brown, Nils, Bob Baldwin, Eric Mintel, Matt Marshak, Dee Lucas, Marcus Johnson, and the list goes on.
"Freeport offers a combination of Smooth Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, and Jazz Standards." The four piece Jazz group consists of Steve Thornton on saxes, flute, percussion, Jo Daniels on keyboards, Tony Testa on drums, and Scott Marvill on guitar and basses. Links: Reverbnation, MySpace, Facebook, Website and DCBebop page.
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 Melvin Taylor -
Vocals / Lead Guitar
Melvin is a world renowned Jazz and Blues guitarist who has been at the top of the charts in Europe for years. His first two CD's, "I'll Play The Blues For You", and "Blues On The Run", were recorded in France in the early 1980's. Melvin returned to the US in 1990 where he recorded 4 additional CD's for Evidence Music - "Dirty Pool", remains Evidence label's best selling release ever.
Taylor was born in Mississippi but raised in Chicago. Entirely self taught, this virtuoso began playing the famous, Maxwell Street when he was 10 years old. Melvin has developed a unique style and sound, mixing jazz chords with hints of blues and rock - ranging from hard, fast, explosive tones reminiscent of Hendrix, to the refined, smooth, elegant manner of Wes Montgomery. Melvin has recorded and performed throughout the world for the past 20 years. He
has performed at historic and world class theaters attended by dignitaries. For the third year in a row, the Melvin Taylor Band is scheduled to perform and record live at the opening weekend of Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah - January 21 & 22, 2011.
"Beyond The Burning Guitar", Melvin's 7th CD, released through the Orchard in November 2010, is available on iTunes.
Links:
Website, Reverbnation,
Wikipedia,
NY Times article: "A Blues Guitarist Takes Off" and
DC Bebop page. |
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 Drummer Karl Sterling with E.S.P. Jazz
Born in Ithaca, New York, grew up in Syracuse, NY. Both of Karl's parents attended the Ithaca College School of Music. Karl's father is a drummer, composer/arranger, and has been a leader of several successful bands in the Central New York area. His mother majored in vocal studies at Ithaca College and is pianist. Karl was 9 years old when he first saw legendary drummer Buddy Rich perform. Karl KNEW the drums were his instrument and began seriously studying and practicing under his father. When he was 11 Karl met drummer Peter Erskine and began a friendship that has lasted over 30 years. By the age of 13 he was playing gigs with his father's band. While in college Karl studied percusion with John Barker. Over the years he has studied drums with Peter Erskine, Danny D'Imperio, Joe Morello, Mike Melito, Wilby Fletcher adn Mike Lewander. Karl has played with many wonderful musicians and bands in the Syracuse, Rochester, and New York City area's. He has performed with Ronnie Leigh, Bob Dibaudo, Mala Waldron, Eye Level, Prime Time, Seaflight
to name a few. Along the way, Karl teamed up with guitarist John Magnante, bassist Matthew Vacanti, and saxophone/flautist Brian Scherer to form E.S.P. Jazz. ESP released their
third CD "Time's Up!" CD
in 2009 on CD Baby, and the group received a SAMMY AWARD for "Time's UP! Best Jazz CD of 2009". Links:
E.S.P. Jazz Website, Discography, YouTube and Reverbnation |
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Singer, Sara Jones from the Maryland
Eastern Shore. Sara attained degrees in music from both St. Mary's College
of Maryland and her masters in music from the University of Cincinnati in
Ohio. She began playing piano at age 4 and professionally at the age of 14. She won first prize in the W.A. Virts Piano Concerto Competition in high school at 18. Critics have written that Sara's musical voice is "lush", that she "beguiles and charms" the audience with her "velvet embrace" of the music. These qualities won her the " Billie Holiday Vocal Competition" in 2004. Since then she has toured and performed through out the U.S. While a full-time singer, Sara also performs as a pianist and accompanies both
singers and instrumentalists on recitals. She is a featured vocalist on The Young Brothers CD "Tales of Time" (2007) on CD Baby.com. Links: website, Reverbnation,
MySpace, DC Bebop page. |
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David Gerald - Guitar, Vocals, Bandleader, Songwriter and Producer -
David is a blues guitarist. He is originally from Detroit, Michigan. Growing up in the "Motor City" and the home of Motown, meant that he was surrounded by the soulful sounds of R&B and the Blues. After many years of listening, at age 16, he began to learn to play the guitar. He attributed his interest to the musical influence of Prince and other 80’s rock guitarists. In Motown, the sound is soul and R&B, but somewhere along his path, David says "He rediscovered the blues" and began listened more seriously to the music of Albert King, ZZ Hill, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In the 80's David composed rock and pop tunes. At age 24, he began writing and composing tunes with the help of a computer program, and has continued to write and compose to this day. In 2009, David released his first album "Hell and Back" (CD Baby) containing 5 of his original tunes and a selection of cover tunes previously recorded by Blues greats. The "Thrill is Gone", "Red House", "Cold Shot", and the other cover tunes were recorded live at J. Dubs bar in Riverview, Michigan. David can be seen and heard playing at clubs and festivals in the Detroit area. Links:
MySpace Music, Website, Facebook,
YouTube and Reverbnation.
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Guitarist Joe Washington III - born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He was a
Chicago Police officer for 11yrs. Started playing guitar under the direction of
a local teacher by the name of Jack Cecchini, who he believes is still teaching
on the north side of Chicago. He studied with a classical guitarist by the name
of Paul Herman at the Chicago Music Conservatory, and the Chicago Musical
College. Says he has done some minor studio work, notably "with a great jazz guy
by the name of Bobby Irving". Joe sat in on an album by a singer named Susan
Osborn (produced by Bobby Irving), and he has played with a number of small
groups and bands over the years locally. Joe says "the one thing that has drawn
me to jazz and the guitar would most assuredly be my dad, who unfortunately
passed away last year, however he's the one who purchased my first guitar and my
first jazz guitar album, "Movin' Wes" by the late great Wes Montgomery, and that
album and albums by George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny,
Ronny Jordan, Earl Klugh and many, many more has made me crazy for jazz. At this
stage of my life, I guess more than anything I want to play, but I want to play
with guys (and gal's) who want to play, and truly appreciate the only true
American music heritage, Jazz and all that goes along with that statement". Links:
MySpace Music and
YouTube.
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Kevin Peter Jones - Drummer, songwriter, producer, arranger and educator. Born and raised in
Chicago, Illinois, he began playing drums at the age of ten. During kevins musical career he has met and
performed with many music legends. Pianist Roger Smith; Grammy Award winning drummer William Kennedy;
percussionist Alex Acuna; Keyboardist Bernard White; Bassist Wayman Tisdale; Club Nouvou and Pianist
Dave Brubeck. More recently, Kevin is involved in recording a new CD with numerous Grammy Award winning
musicians from Pieces of a Dream, Sypro Gyra and the Yellowjackets. Kevin is also a dedicated drum
instructor and mentor to many promising musicians. In September 2009, Kevin released his exclusively produced debut-album, "Magnetic Journey" on on Sakestyle Entertainment,
which is available through CD Baby. Links to Kevin's website and
MySpace page. |
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 Pianist Wayne Wilentz,
originally fron New York, moved to the DC area in 1989 and has played Brazilian Jazz in the nation's capitol since then. Before coming to DC Wayne was a keyboardist and composer for the '80's funk band "SKYY", and received a gold record commemorating their #1 Album "Skyy Line" on Salsoul Records. During his career he has performed with such famous R&B acts as Carl Gardner's Coasters, The Shirelles, The Marvellettes, and Jimmy Norman. Since moving to the DC area, Wayne has recorded on a number of CD's, many of which he co-produced. In 2004, Wayne released his first compilation of original material entitled "Break of Dawn". It featured vocals by four of DC's finest jazz singers, Pam Bricker, Patrick Desantos, Nicki
Gonzalez and Steve Washington. Over the years Wayne has done many sessions
for ESL Music and Thievery Corporation, and can be heard on remixes by them.
The Wayne Wilentz Quartet has released a new CD,
Recordar E Viver (2008) on CDBaby.com.
Link: MySpace |
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Flutologist Arch Thompson began his musical journey at the age of twelve. In High School he
began playing flute. When he was 16, he said his father would take him to
clubs where he would sit in with the band. He remembers standing online with
other musicians waiting to have a turn on stage. His father was his
spokesperson at the clubs for his music and the club "Jam Sessions" were his inspiration. Arch attended and studied music at City College in L.A. It was
also around this time that he heard the music of John Coltrane. He said
Coltrane's "Love Supreme" raised his consciousness and he began playing his
own "music within". While a member of the U.S. Army Band, a chance
opportunity arose for him to play with a salsa band. This introduced him to
a number of Latin artists and awakened an interest in Latin music. This
interest launched him on a musical odyssey which took him to Puerto Rico,
New York and finally to DC. Since arriving in DC, Arch has immersed himself
in the diverse musical atmosphere of the city. He performs a wide range of
music from classical to hip-hop, but he is always connected to and performs
Latin Jazz. Arch can be heard performing in venues in the DC area with
several groups. He more commonly seen per Flute Visions, Visions of Jazz,
The Sabroso Latin Jazz Ensemble, ElectroKoustic, solo and with other groups.
Links: Website, Facebook, Reverbnation, MySpace and
DC Bebop page.
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 Joel Harrison - guitarist, composer and vocalist,
a DC native whose medium is primarily jazz, but his music emanates from many sources: African and Indian, contemporary classical, blues and R&B all have a place in his unique voice. Over the course of his musical career, Joel has involved himself in ever-inventive bands and projects, including Free Country, Harrison on Harrison, and Harbor, but he is best known for his composing and arranging skills. He has twice been selected as the winner of the Jazz Composer’s Alliance Julius Hemphill Composition Competition. Joel has been evolving his musical craft through the release of several CDs over the last few years. He recorded "Harbor" (2007) with internationally renowned guitarist Nguyên Lê , and his 60 minute chamber/jazz piece for double quartet entitled "The Wheel" (2008) and his latest titled "Urban Myths" (2009). Links: website,
Reverbnation, MySpace and website music store. |
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Rodney George Peacock - Rodney is a multi-instrumentalist,
poet and writer. He is an eclectic artist. He plays the flute, organ,
piano, bass clarinet , harpsichord and saxophone. In the late 60's into the early 70's,
Rodney lived and played music in San Francisco. A dedicated hard working artist,
Rodney is a self-described perfectionist. Over the years, he has contributed to
several albums on the Chicago's Audio 8 label, playing flute and saxophones. He
has recorded with Chicago hip-hop artists, noted jazz musicians and has written
poems and an opera. Artist of many talents, Rodney is also an opera man. In June
of 2006, Radio Free Urbana (WRFU-LP 104.5 FM) aired Rodney's "artist statement",
which was a two-hour program chronicling his history as a musician and poet. During
the program, he talked about his mythological opera, "Noontide Trilogy". Six actors
from the University of Illinois performed four partial scenes and one full scene
of the drama. Links:
MySpace Music and
Dolce Stil Nuovo CD (2001) - Audio8
Recordings.
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 Mark
Mosley - Jazz and Blues Guitarist. Mark was Born in Arkansas, but saw a lot of the world because his parents were
career military. When he was old enough, Mark followed the military career path
into the U.S. Army from which he eventually retired, then served in a reserve
capacity for a number of years. Mark began playing guitar when he was 11, first
learning to emulate the playing of BB King. Later he played in school bands and
was part of R&B and Jazz bands. Through the support of his family members Mark
kept faith with his music, which has evolved into a mellow, smooth and characteristic
sound for him. He has performed with many musical greats. He toured with Lou Donaldson
and has shared the stage with Gary Bartz, Keter Betts, and many others. Mark has been
a band leader for several years, which also includes while living as a civilian in
the Heidleburg Germany region. Some of the major venues performed in
as a band leader in the DC and Baltimore area are Blues Alley, Montpelier Arts
Center, Twins Jazz, Md. Public TV, WJZ-TV ch. 13 (Baltimore), WPFW 89.3 FM radio
interviews/airplay, and various Borders Books and Music outlets. Mark writes for
Modern Guitar Magazine. Links:
Mark's MySpace Music page,
Website and
DC Bebop.
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 Trumpeter Arzo Tureaud
originally from Springfield Missouri. While growing up, Arzo's
mother encouraged him to pursue the musical arts. Her encouragement and his
dedication to music won him many awards. In 1995 he won the
"outstanding soloist" award at Disneyworld's "Magical Music Days.". Over the
years, Arzo has studied and performed with many noted musicians. He studied under Trumpeter Terell Stafford. Carnigie Hall's Jazz direcotr, John Faddis, Dr. Joel Treybig, an
international music scholar. Arzo is currently being mentored by jazz trumpeter Tony Lujan, Miles Jaye and saxaphonist, Bobby Watson. Arzo can be heard performing
with his Jazz Quintet.
Link: MySpace.
and Music Lessons with Arzo at Pellegrino's School Of Music |
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Piano, Keyboardist, Songwriter, Arranger
Kne-O'chaw Hampton is (at this writing) a 15 year old prodigy from Willingboro, New Jersey, who has been actively engaged in creating and performing her own music. She began playing keyboards at age 8. By the age of 10, Kne had learned "to write songs at an advanced and accelerated level".
She wrote and arranged her first CD titled "The Other Side of Town". She created and released her second CD "From Deep in My Soul" at age 11. Kne released her third CD in 2005 titled "Planet 9ine". In addition to her original works, Kne
also plays Classical, Gospel, R&B and Jazz Standards. Link: MySpace and Reverbnation. |
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  Guitarist Ronny Smith, Originally from Baltimore, Maryland. Ronny is a self-taught musician who began learning to play the guitar, by ear, at age 12. Ronny has performed on stage with the famed Motown singing group, the Marvelettes and also with drummer and Philadelphia jazz icon Bobby Durham. He had the opportunity to share the stage with R&B singer and actress, Melba Moore who performed with the U.S. Army band. Ronny has recorded four CD's . His first, "Long Time Comin", "Laid Back", "Got Groove",
"Simply Stated" and his latest (released in 2009) "Just Groovin". Links:
Website,
Discography, MySpace , Reverbnation
and DC Bebop page. |
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 Nate "NateKid" Lombardi - Singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and dancer. Nate says he has "always been attracted to music with funk and soul" and it all started with his hearing the music of Stevie Wonder. "As a kid, I do remember sitting in my room listening to him.. it changed my life." From Stevie he says it expanded to his interest in Hip-Hop.
While in high school Nate performed for fun. In college he was introduced to
tap dancing and the ole movie musical. Nate saw "Singing in the Rain" with
Gene Kelly and was inspired by both the cinematic performance and the music
of the era. Nate has "been in Off-Broadway shows, modeled, done
TV and film, and sang with big bands". He says he "wants to bring brilliant
and still relevant tunes back that the younger ears have never heard,
(sometimes, with drastic interpretations, sometimes not) and write songs
that will be as immortal as the ones from the American Songbook."
Nate is cast in the role of a musical bridge that joins the past to the present. Classic jazz standards married to
contemporary interpretations of the music of both times. Links: Reverbnation, MySpace, Website and DC Bebop page. |
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 Sali Oguri - Singer, keyboardist, composer and arranger,
is a Modern Pop Rock artist whose music
has been described as being "emotionally gripping", and "is a
linking of ethereal and hard-edged elements". "With her
smoky-angelic voice and high energy, blood-rushing performance, her sound is
juxtaposition extremes: heaven and hell, hot and cold." Sali has captured the
interest of top industry professionals and fans across the world. Links:
MySpace, Website, WUJ Productions
and buy her CD: Pink Manhattan (2005) on CD Baby. Also, Sali's Blog "Pink Manhattan". |
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 Phyllis Beard - Bassist.
Born in Hot Springs National Park, AR, Phyllis started at the piano at age eight, but in junior high school she began playing the bass. Her talent earned here a music scholarshiop
to Stetson University in central Florida, where she majored in Classical Bass Performance. After college
she moved to Minneapolis MN,
where she earned her teaching license, and master's degree in education. On
one eventful night at the Dakota Jazz club in St. Paul, she heard Gerald Cannon of the Roy
Hargrove Quintet performing and it revitalized here interest in performing jazz. Phyllis left Minnesota eighteen months later to pursue here musical career. Since answering her
musical calling, Phyllis has toured Canada, Europe, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe and the Shetland Islands.
She performs with her trio in NYC. Link:
MySpace. |
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 Bassist Kyle Spark
grew up south of Boston and has made his way around the country with two national groups. As a freelance bassist he did national tours with Blueground Undergrass (Atlanta,GA) and DJ Logic's Project (NYC). He currently is doing freelance bass work around Boston as well as working on his own solo and overdubbed bass compositions.
Link to
Kyle's MySpace Music page. |
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 Vocalist Maria Rochelle
- from Kansas City, Missouri. Singer and lyricist. Whether singing her combination of Hip-Hop with European soul or and Italian aria, her melodies and lyrics capture the essence of love for diversity, humanity and romance.
Link to
Maria's MySpace Music site. |
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 Rhythm guitarist Tom Reaves, Jr. from Richmond, Virginia. Known for his style of playing as the "Tonedoctor", Tom can be heard laying down the rhythm and soul on tracks with producers; Lamont "Hit.La" Fleming, Marcus “Bellringer” Bell, and Nate Smith. He can also be heard on CD recordings with such artist as Trumpeter; Bill McGee, and singers; Eric Dozier, Antoinique, and Jarrard Anthony. In addition he regularly frequents the Virginia club circuit with his band “The Krewe”, and others. Link: MySpace.
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 Flutist Bill Haymon
- is a native of New York City living in the DC area.
Bill is currently rekindling his musical career and can be heard at venues around town. On most Friday evenings, he can be found and sometimes heard at the
Friday night Jazz concerts at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Link to - Bill Haymon's Information |
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 Atiba Taylor
is a saxophonist and vocalist with a distinctive style. He has shared the
stage with greats like Archie Shepp, Wallace Roney and Organist Jimmy Smith. Atiba performs with
the AJQ Jazz Quartet locally.
Link to Atiba's
DC Bebop Gallery |
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