May 16th & 17th

Trumpeter Alex Nguyen comes to play our final concerts here at Kokopelli's. Don't be surprised at who may show up & decide to sit in !  May 16th & 17th.

 

 

 

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Alex Nguyen's Jazz Conceptions Orchestra

Trumpeter Alex Nguyen is a native of Savannah, Georgia. His lifelong fascination with music dates back to his early childhood, when his Godmother, a church organist, began giving him piano lessons. The pursuit continued when Alex took up the trumpet and then discovered jazz in high school. Now at the age of 21, Nguyen resides in Jacksonville, Florida where he is pursuing a degree at the University of North Florida jazz studies program, led by legendary jazz master Bunky Green.

Most recently, Nguyen was the winner of 2005 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition. He has also been among a handful of promising musicians invited to participate in residencies with Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead in Washington, D.C. and the Steans Institute for Young Artists in Chicago. These prestigious programs offered Alex the chance to play and study with a veritable "who's who" of seminal jazz artists and educators, such as James Moody, Curtis Fuller, Dr. David Baker, Rufus Reid, Nathan Davis, and Kenny Barron.

Alex performs regularly with his own groups and makes appearances with formidable voices on the Southeast jazz scene. At UNF, he currently holds the jazz trumpet chair in the award-winning Jazz Ensemble I. With the JEI, Alex has shared the stage with artists such as Slide Hampton, Dave Brubeck, Kenny Garrett, Claudio Roditi and Poncho Sanchez.

Alex has performed at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the Ravinia Festival, the Savannah Jazz Festival, Savannah Onstage International Arts Festival, and various venues in Asia.

 

Barry Greene

Barry Greene began playing guitar in 1971,at the age of ten years old. Strongly influenced by Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, George Benson and Pat Martino, Barry has developed into a world-class guitarist, arranger and composer. He has recorded or performed with such artists as Tim Hagens, Danny Gottlieb, Gene Bertoncinni, Scott Wendholt, Kenny Drew Jr., Adam Nussbaum, Warren Berndhardt, Russell Malone, Ron Affif, and Colin Bailey. Barry has four CD’s out as a leader. “Sojourner”, “At Home”, “Urban Jazz” and "In the Meantime"

Just Jazz Guitar Magazine says, his improvisations were creative with impeccable technique... 20th Century Guitar wrote, it has all the urgency of the best of Pat Martino's work... and allaboutjazz.com had to say, ...an excellent player, a superior musician with power to spare...

Barry has several books published with Mel Bay Publications. He continues to endorse Thomastik-Infeld strings, Clarus amplifiers, Raezors Edge speaker cabinets, and Benedetto Guitars. He has performed at the Long Island Guitar Show held in New York, five times, and has been an instructor at the prestigious National Guitar Workshop held each summer in Connecticut for eight summers.

Barry is an Associate Professor of Jazz Guitar at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, where he has been since 1995. He teaches two guitar ensembles, as well as applied guitar, arranging and improvisation.
 

VINX

Who is Vinx? Most people know him as...One man. One voice. One drum. As you will discover, Vinx is much more. Vinx's music transcends languages and borders. This is evident from his international touring schedule and cult-like popularity. Vinx has taken the wisdom of his mother to heart. She often told him that "You can't sing of life unless you live."
 

www.VINX.com

Annie Sellick

Perhaps Annie Sellick's best quality as a singer is her ability to make people happy. An unusually engaging performer, she has won a large, devoted following and earned rave reviews, winning numerous “Best Jazz Artist” awards in the Nashville Media. Her third CD, recorded live in L.A. and released in 2005 is as free-spirited and full of attitude as she is. Annie Sellick's jazz journey began auspiciously when she sat in with guitarist Roland Gresham's group at a club near the college she attended. After her performance, the crowd rose to their feet cheering, and it was clear she had found her calling. “It shocked me, the response and I think it shocked Roland too. Maybe that's why the band kept me.” After working with the trio for four years, she moved back to her hometown of Nashville and honed her skills at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. After just a few years in her hometown, she won a devoted following, became a mainstay at the major jazz venues, was profiled in every major Nashville paper, and gave a celebrated sold-out performance backed by the Nashville Symphony. Her career in jazz has taken her through three recordings on her own label (one with renowned jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco), stardom in Nashville and regular appearances in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and Montreal to sold-out audiences.

John Ricci

The first born American and youngest member of a musical family, John Ricci had an eclectic musical upbringing. His family comes out of an Italian and Argentine background, his mother having performed opera in the Teatro Colon in Argentina when she was only a teenager, brothers that could play or sing any music they heard and a father who also sang and enjoyed anything and everything conducted by Arturo Toscannini. Starting on piano at age 7, John added saxophone at age 11 and was already improvising with everything from Jobim to Beatles records soon after. Continuing on to study music, John attended the exclusive jazz studies program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. There, he was mentored directly by world renown jazz pedagogue and saxophonist Jerry Coker. He also had the opportunity study closely with internationally recognized pianist-composer and former Jazz Messenger Donald Brown. With a new vision and quest to become a strong a communicator of the idiom as well as a performer, he was awarded a teaching assistantship at the Florida State University School of Music jazz studies and contemporary media program. In that time he performed with Blue Note recording artist trumpeter Marcus Printup, performed at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, received outstanding soloist awards at the 1994 and 1995 Mobile National Jazz Festival, won an outstanding performance in the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, and won the combo division of the 1995 Down Beat Collegiate Music Awards. He has since moved to Jacksonville Florida, having taught at the prestigious University of North Florida jazz program as a visiting professor assisting the saxophone teaching load for the legendary Bunky Green, recorded and arranged for Latin bassist and composer Angel Roman on the Mambo Blue CD Con Fuego, and recorded on violinist-singer composer Rebecca Zapen’s first CD release, Hummingbird. He was recently invited to perform with pianist Donald Brown in the Donald Brown Quintet (The Forces of Inspiration). He has also been directing and building a jazz program at Jacksonville University and performing regionally for festivals and jazz club bookings with his professional quartet for several years now. John’s new CD Holding Time is a debut release of some of his own very inspired compositions and arrangements. The musicians accompanying him on this album are of the finest in the southeast. All grads from the award winning UNF Jazz Program that have since paved their own ways: pianist and composer Joshua Bowlus, bassist Billy Thornton and drummer Peter Miles (Miles can also be heard recording and touring for Marsalis Music guitarist-singer and composer Doug Wamble).

 

 Jason Marsalis

"From a tender young age it was clear that Jason Marsalis had what it took to be great. Jason is the son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, and the youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo. Together, the four brothers and their patriarch Ellis, comprise New Orleans venerable first family of jazz.

Ellis and Delores began to cultivate Jason’s interest in music at age three, with the purchase of a toy set of drums. Jason is fond of telling the story of a game he and his parents would play with the drums. "When I was three, my parents bought me a toy drum set and the used to introduce me to an imaginary audience. They would say, ‘Ladies and gentleman introducing the fabulous Jason!’ and I would come out and start banging away much to my parents delight. I too enjoyed it to the point that I started to go up to my parents unsolicited and say, ‘Dad, introduce me again!’"

By age six, not only had Jason gotten his first real drum set, but he was also taking lessons from the legendary New Orleans drummer James Black. At age seven he was sitting in with his father�jazz group, as well as playing with his trombonist brother Delfeayo. Jason was progressing so rapidly as a drummer that in 1984 his father started using him consistently on engagements. Jason was starting to become a seasoned road veteran before the age of nine, even traveling to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston for Delfeayo’s senior recital.

Though Jason had also taken up violin at age five, drums remained his primary focus throughout his grade school years. In 1991, he auditioned and was accepted to the acclaimed New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts High School (NOCCA). Throughout his high school years he continued to hone his skills by playing gigs with his father and brothers, as well as studying orchestral percussion techniques at the venerable Eastern Music Festival.

Shortly after graduation from NOCCA in 1995, Marsalis ascended to the drum throne of a new group lead by virtuoso pianist and former sideman for Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts. Despite a demanding touring schedule with Roberts, Marsalis furthered his educational goals by attending Loyola University in New Orleans, as well as studying composition with Roger Dickerson at Southern University.

While Marsalis has worked with such international jazz luminaries as Joe Henderson and Lionel Hampton, he remains visible on the New Orleans scene as well, working with a diverse cross section of bands from Casa Samba (Brazilian) to Neslort (jazz fusion). He is also a co-founder of the Latin jazz group Los Hombres Calientes. In addition, he regularly hosts a local jazz jam where he plays vibraphone.

The sense of style and tastefulness that Marsalis exhibits in his playing explains why is a highly sought after musician. This style has been well documented on recordings with artists such as the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Marcus Printup and Marcus Roberts to name but a few. He has also produced two albums under his own name, Year of the Drummer (1998) and Music in Motion (2000), as well as producing a reissue of his father’s earlier recorded work, Syndrome (1996). In addition, Marsalis is a respected clinician and an endorser of Fibes drums and Zildjian cymbals.

With each passing year Jason Marsalis continues to grow and develop as both a composer and performer. With a fire in his heart and a passion for the music, his will to swing has never been more resolute. The maturity of this young lion and the command he possesses over his instrument is clearly evident to those who have heard or seen him.

 

Sean Bolden Group

As a well rounded musician Sean Bolden has grown to be accomplished. Sean has a great and intense passion for music, and has studied under Dr. J.C. Combs @ Wichita state university & Dr. Steve Pramatic at Armstrong Atlantic State University. Sean Has played in different parts on the United States Including Germany. He has won awards with respect given to his great individual style of playing drums and Piano. He has also recorded with some great jazz musicians as a studio musician, as well as many live performances. His body of Work has spanned many artist. Just to name a few, Sean has played with Robin Eubanks, Tom Lure (North Texas 1:00 band), Stefan Harris and local such as Teddy Adams, Eric Jones, Doug Carn, Delbert Felix, Tony Royster Sr. and many more.

 Jeremy Davis & Equinox Jazz

Bobby Lee Rodgers & the Codetalkers

The CodeTalkers first release was self-titled, and was re-released as "Deluxe Edition."  Their second CD, "now" was released in June of 2006, and released in Japan in April of 2007.  Their next CD, "Galaxy Girl", will be released in Japan early 2008.  Also, an "unplugged" DVD was recorded in late spring, and is scheduled for a fall or winter release. "Body in the Lake" was featured as a live recording on the BONNAROO 2 Live CD, and tracks are often heard on SIRIUS' JamBands station as well as on XMs channel 72, "Beyond Jazz," as well as on various conventional stations around the country.

Several internet radio stations stream live shows on a regular basis.
"Spotlight ON" a TV show based in Arkansas, filmed the band for an episode which aired last summer.  Copies of the show, featuring over 30 minutes of footage, are available upon request, but may be viewed on their website as well. The CodeTalkers performed live for an edition of NATIONAL LAMPOON'S A/V SQUAD.  Copies of this performance will be available shortly upon request, but can be viewed by following the link on the band's home page.
 

The Will Gobel Group

The Will Goble Group consists of Will Goble- Bass, David Potter - Drums, Austin Johnson - Piano,  and (not pictured), David Guidi - Tenor Saxophone, .

Will Goble is an in-demand bassist performing across the southeastern United States. He has appeared with Grammy award-winner Marcus Roberts and as a sideman and leader with numerous other notable artists, including Vincent Gardner, Leon Anderson, Kevin Bales, Scotty Barnhart, Barry Green, Philip Harper, Jason Marsalis, John Ricci, and Stephen Riley among others.  His groups have performed at Kokopelli’s Jazz Club, Paradigm (Tallahassee, FL), Zydeco (Raleigh, NC), Yancey’s Jazz Café (Raleigh, NC), and other venues as the David Guidi Quartet, including Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center and Churchill Grounds in Atlanta, GA.

Howard Paul

Howard Paul grew up and cut his musical teeth in Atlantic City, N.J. He was given his first guitar when he was four years old, began lessons with guitarist Johnny Martezia at age six, and joined his first quartet by the age of ten. At thirteen, he joined the Atlantic City Musicians Union and began performing professionally with the Joe Aguruso Trio in the Atlantic City area. He was also a member of the Jerry Vigue Big Band. At seventeen, he joined the Judy Cahill trio, backing or played opposite artists including Chris Conner, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Ayres, Freddie Cole and Carmen McCrae while performing in Atlantic City's casinos, as well as a stint with the Tom Geekus Big Band backing comedian Charlie Prose. He taught music privately and as an adjunct faculty member at Atlantic Community College in Mays Landing, New Jersey in 1978-81. Howard's credits include performances with The Caesar's Atlantic City Casino Orchestra, The Juilliard Jazz Ensemble, The Bert Massengale Orchestra, The U.S. Army Band-Europe, the Savannah Symphony Pops Orchestra, and the Coastal Jazz All Stars. He studied guitar with many guitar greats including Tommy Ferguson, Alan Hanlon, Howard Collins, and Barry Galbraith. Since 1992 he has led his own trio and quartet in Savannah, worked continuously with bassist/jazz legend Ben Tucker, and recorded as a studio musician for Manion Music, Inc. He is a recurring performer during Savannah's annual jazz festival week, at Savannah Music Festival events, St. Simons Island Jazz In The Park, and is regularly featured at Hilton Head's The Jazz Corner. Howard contributes to Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, and has co-produced the Benedetto Players in Concert series since 1998. He has peformed throughout the United States in guitar duos with Bucky Pizzarelli, Jimmy Bruno, Howard Alden, Jack Wilkins, Joe Beck, Craig Wagner and Jerry Sims. Small group performances include club dates with flutist Ali Ryerson, singer Diane Hubka, and vibraphonist/drummer Chuck Redd. Aside from his music, he holds a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, and was a Captain in the U.S. Army. Since 1996 when Jimmy Bruno introduced Howard to Bob and Cindy Benedetto and the 7-string guitar, Howard has performed exclusively using Benedetto guitars. In April, 2006, Howard was named President of Benedetto Guitars.

 

Anton Harris

No one remembers musicians who play it safe. Great and memorable musicians redefine music with their uncanny ability to stretch and combine many genres and mediums. Holiday, Ellington and Hendrix did this. And so did Miles--more than once. Now Anton Harris enters into the dialogue regarding great jazz musicians who possess the dexterity to translate multiple genres into one cohesive, yet dynamic story. Whether hip-hop or electronica, rock or gospel, Harris seamlessly sews traditional and experimental patches of sound together to create a musical quilt that warms the soul.

Anton was born in San Francisco, California in 1977. Growing up in a musically talented family, Harris, from a young age, was influenced by various styles of music, from classical to gospel to jazz. He began his formal instruction at age five at the Yamaha Music School in Savannah, GA. At age seven the family moved to Statesboro, GA where he continued to study piano under the tutelage of Mr. Wimberly Ponder. He credits Dr Larry Taylor, a longtime family friend, as the person who got him hooked on jazz. During the fifth grade, Harris joined his middle school’s band and began to develop his interest in the saxophone. While in high school, Harris was chosen for the Georgia All-State Concert Band, the All-State Jazz Ensemble, toured seven European countries with the U.S. Collegiate Wind Band and was lead tenor saxophone in Georgia Southern University’s Jazz Ensemble. In 1996 Harris moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University where he received his Bachelors of Music (2001) and Masters of Music in Jazz Studies (2005).

Harris has performed in a wide range of venues, including the Atlanta Jazz Festival (2001), with Russell Gunn (2004) and Julie Dexter (2004), The National Black Arts Festival, SoulFest, JapanFest with Takana Miyamoto, Jazzplex (Macon, GA), Katch a Vibe, Sambuca Jazz Café, and Apache Café.

The Anton Harris Quartet was formed in 2003 with band members Che Marshall (drums), David Springer (guitar) and Brent Shields (bass). The group began recording its debut album Modern Mythology in August 2005, with production and project coordinator Khari Simmons and contributing artists, Kinah Boto, Dashill Smith and Chris Saindon. The Modern Mythology album release party boasted two sold-out shows and guest appearances by Grammy-nominated artists David Sanchez and Russell Gunn. The group performs regularly at The Five Spot, Vinocity and the famed Churchill Grounds in Atlanta, Georgia.

To listen to Anton Harris play is to embrace a whirlwind of masterful sounds, surrounded by the styles of great musicians of the past yet hearing the distinct sound of the future. Harris’s influences are as varied as his music, from Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman and Kenny Garrett to John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson, among others. Yet, Harris importantly notes, “Many of my influences aren’t famous yet, like Lee and Brian Hogans and Dashill Smith. There are a lot of local cats who I constantly learn from.” Additionally, Harris fuses his sound with many genres like hip-hop and electronica, often composing his music electronically then translating it as jazz.

Currently, Anton Harris resides in Atlanta and enjoys teaching budding music students at The Lovett School.

David Guidi

David Guidi is quickly garnering national attention for his contributions as a composer and performing jazz artist. He has been referred to as both a "Significant young artist, clearly committed to a long life of jazz" (Jazzreview.com) and as "Someone to watch carefully in the future" (Cadence Magazine). His compositions have received widespread acclaim, obtaining recognition in several major competitions including the 2005 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Composition Awards, which he won for his big-band chart entitled Hike!!!.

David has performed extensively across the country and around the world at several of the major European jazz festivals. He is a past student of world-renowned saxophonist Bunky Green and a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition. Performances by his groups and of his music remain well within the realm of the jazz idiom and are deeply-rooted in the blues and swing heritage of the music.

In 2001, he was one of only twenty-three musicians nationwide invited to participate in a week-long residency program at The Steans Institute in Chicago which specializes in cultivating rising artists. While there, he collaborated with some of today's finest jazz educators and musicians, including David Baker, James Moody, Rufus Reid, Danilo Perez, and Nathan Davis. In 2005, David received an invitation from Wynton Marsalis and the artistic director at Lincoln Center to perform there as a representative of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in a concert series featuring award-winning composers, all formidable performing musicians. He has performed alongside many of the most revered artists in jazz including Dave Brubeck, Kenny Garrett, Terry Gibbs, Slide Hampton, Dave Holland, Branford Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, Chris Potter, Tito Puente, Marcus Roberts, and Clark Terry among others.

David's recent activities include working as a performing and composing musician across the country with various ensembles. As an educator, he has taught at both the University of Texas and Florida State University and is an active as a clinician for small and large jazz ensembles. Currently based out of Austin, TX, his teaching studio is comprised of students who have been selected for various region, area, and state awards and ensembles.
 

 Silver Lining

Silver Lining was formed in 2004 by guitarist Jackson Evans, singer/bassist Maggie Evans and drummer Marc Cordray. Inspired by their varied musical experiences, the trio has created a refreshing, new sound that is somewhere between traditional and contemporary jazz, Brazilian jazz, and blues. Silver Lining’s live performances exhibit both tight arrangements and spontaneous, intuitive interactions between the band members. Their play list is a combination of originals and reinterpreted standards, and their performance focuses on the overall sound of the band, rather than showcasing a specific instrument. The trio performs regularly throughout Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. They released their debut album The Nature of Luck in December of 2006

Jackson Evans is a versatile guitarist with a performance resume that includes jazz combos, big bands, pit orchestras, rock, funk, blues, and solo guitar. A surprising blend of these styles emerges in his playing. Jackson holds a Bachelor’s of Music with an emphasis in guitar performance from Utah State University where he studied with Mike Christiansen. He has solicited private lessons from many great jazz guitarists including Barry Greene, Steve Masakowski and Chris Rosenberg. He has also attended clinics given by Mike Stern, Jack Peterson, and the Los Angelos Guitar Quartet. In addition to playing, Jackson is also a published songwriter and lyricist.

Marc Cordray owns the thickest vitae of the trio. He holds a baccalaureate degree from Berklee School of Music and completed his graduate studies at New England Conservatory where he studied with jazz greats Bob Moses and Dave Holland. In recent years he has been the drummer in residence at the Savannah Theater where he performed in long runs of "Lost in the 50's" and "Jukebox Journey." In July, 2006 Marc took a brief hiatus from Silver Lining to perform as the musical director for a 5 week run of "Jukebox Journey" in Omaha, Nebraska. Marc has served as the backbeat for innumerable jazz, rock, blues, funk, and R&B groups and has performed as a percussionist in orchestral and popular settings. Marc’s very complimentary style centers on versatility.

Formally trained as a classical pianist, Maggie Evans discovered bass guitar as a teenager and soon began performing with a variety of jazz and rock groups. Since then, she has been the bassist in numerous jazz combos, rock/cover bands and blues bands throughout the United States. Maggie is not only the bassist for Silver Lining, but also lead vocalist. Both her vocals and bass playing echo a variety of musical experiences including swing, blues, bossa nova, classic rock and funk. In addition to her work as a musician, Maggie is a classically trained artist. She holds the BFA in Illustration from Utah State University and an MFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
 

 Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones possesses a stylistic philosophy, an almost hypnotic sound, and technical facility found among few trumpeters his age. He seems to shine seamlessly in almost any musical setting. Whether he's playing lead trumpet, screaming on top of a professional horn section, performing serious classical repertoire, or stepping out in front of a quartet and leading a jam session, this young man proves to be quite capable of capturing the attention of any audience. Melvin first began his professional musical journey in 1998 while attending Morehouse College when he made an appearance on TLCs triple platinum hit album Fanmail. Since then, this Memphis, Tennessee native has shared the stage with a diverse range of musical icons such as Quincy Jones, Jon Faddis, Antonio Hart, Jennifer Lopez, Carmen Lundy, Kirk Whalum, Ray Charles, Erykah Badu, Marc Anthony, Illinois Jacquet, George Bohannan, Clark Terry, and Omar, a British Pop sensation to name a few. While pursuing a Master's Degree at the Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Jersey, Jones received the potent and intensive instruction of world-renowned educator and trumpeter, William Prof Fielder, whose student roster includes such prolific musical figures as Wynton Marsailis, Terrence Blanchard, David Sanchez, and Kenny Garrett. After
completing his graduate studies, Melvin immediately began instructing privately and giving lectures at various universities and high schools while continuing to perform across the country. A consummate and erudite musician, Melvin hopes to one day join that particular delineation of artists that have played a vital part in the advancement of their respective art. Currently, Melvin maintains the position as Director of Bands for Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia while continuing to pursue a rigorous recording/performing career.
 

 Kirk Lee

Regarded as one of the most versatile performers in the area, Kirk got his start in Southern California in the 70’s and solidified a passion for Jazz during high school years in Illinois and Wisconsin where he began playing professionally.  While completing his degree in Chemical Engineering, Kirk held the Lead Trumpet chair in the top Jazz Ensemble at Ole Miss all four years under the direction of Dr. John W. McCauley.  Migrating to the Savannah area in the mid ‘80s, he established himself quickly as a top call player capable of delivering in a wide variety of styles.  As a long-standing member of the Savannah Jazz Orchestra, Kirk has shared the stage with Jazz Greats including Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Clark Terry, Ben Tucker, Claudio Roditti, Bobby Watson, Bob Berg, Vincent Herring, and Wycliff Gordon.  He is called on regularly for both the high energy lead work required in Big Band and Latin ensembles as well as the more intimate flugelhorn and straight ahead jazz approach appropriate to the club and event setting and is a frequent performer at regional venues such as The Jazz Corner, Kokopelli’s, The Mansion, Adagio, and Hannah’s. Recent recording credits include the Savannah Jazz Orchestra Telfair CD “Satin Doll”, Howard Paul group with Ben Tucker Live at the Jazz Corner, Equinox Jazz Orchestra Johnny Mercer Tributes, Swing-time Orchestra, Latin Jazz Motion w/ David Lugo, Bobby Ryder big brass bash live at the Jazz Corner, Bob Alberti’s Big Band Bash and Mancini tributes, Ron Con Anis, Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love, and the Savannah Jazz Writers Project Octet. 

 The Bernie Kenerson Group

Innovator and multi-instrumentalist, Bernie Kenerson says it’s time to bring the Akai EWI 4000s out to the forefront and give it some r-e-s-p-e-c-t! With his talent and ability, he will do just that. He’s a producer, composer and arranger who plays many different electric wind instruments, saxophones, flutes, clarinets and keyboards. He was born to musical parents and began playing clarinet at age 7, sax at age 10 and flute at age 13. He started his professional career at age 16 in his hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He joined the U. S. Army at age 17 and has fourteen years experience as an instrumentalist and arranger in Army Bands. His musical studies include a Two Year Professional Diploma from Berklee College of Music and a Bachelor of Music Degree from Appalachian State University where he formed the Neo-jazz band, ‘Slipstream’, and the group’s self produced album ‘Afterglow’ received Downbeat magazine’s 1982 DeeBee award for best college group and Bernie received an Outstanding Soloist award on Lyricon. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, Bernie lived in Brussels, Belgium where he performed in a variety of groups at concerts and festivals throughout Western Europe, Scandinavia and Morocco. Bernie moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in May 1995 and has been busy performing and recording; highlighted by three years in the house band at the Jasmine Supper Club (a 7 night-a-week jazz venue) where he performed nightly and shared the stage with jazz artists’ Gato Barbieri, Kim Waters, The Yellowjackets, Joe Beck, Bob James, and the legendary Jimmy Smith. Bernie can be heard on many Beach Music CDs, including 11 that made the Beach Music top 100 and has received three Cammy Awards. He’s recently performing with Make My jungle Electric, Dedicated Magic, his own band The Bernie Kenerson group and working on solo CD projects. Bernie began performing on electric wind instruments in April 1978 with the Lyricon. He currently plays the new Akai EWI 4000s as his main instrument and displays a wealth of expression and artistry on this unique electric horn. His new CD release Just You & Me (The Art of the EWI) merges a traditional jazz approach with original contemporary jazz compositions which feature the EWI as the lead instrument with a wonderful live rhythm section. Bernie is a pleasure to hear no matter what horn he has in his hands and his EWI playing is exciting and refreshing.


Sam Favata is a third-generation jazz musician. Favata's heritage includes relatives who've played in depression-era big bands, post-WWII bop groups, and alongside the likes of Billy Cobham and Grover Washington, Jr. At 26, Sam has been fortunate to perform in a great variety of groups, in as many genres. After meeting Kenerson in the spring of '06, he was encouraged to study Jazz more intensely, learn to read and write music, and begin to speak the language of improvisation. Soon, he began to play professionally and is: "...thrilled to be performing with Slipstream; they are easily some of the best, most innovative musicians I've ever heard, and performing with them is a great honor."


Gary Craddock is A well-known figure on the Southeastern music scene, Craddock has performed in an enormous range of settings from hard-core swing and ensemble jazz to pop, rock and Broadway presentations. For three years, he was the bassist for Southern Country Nights and, also played with The Dixie Jubilee (both Calvin Gilmore Productions). In addition, he has played at The Alabama Theatre for “One” and The Patsy Cline Productions. Craddock has made several appearances in Branson and New York as well as traveling to many other countries performing in clubs and playing shows. He has performed with countless small jazz groups and stays in demand on acoustic and electric basses.


Art Weiss’ style is called "Root Beat," an outstanding blend of contemporary jazz, be-bop, African funk, jazz, and Latin musical influences. Weiss comes from a musical family and began touring with his family’s music circus at the age of five where he learned to play 18 instruments. 1978 -2007: Accompanied many international stars with his band "Art White Group." He has backed up artists such as Art Pepper, Archie Shepp, Najee, Clark Terry, Ray Brown, Don Cherry, Bob Mintzer, Candy Duffler, Mike Stern, and Victor Wooten. All of this experience has made him a dynamic, rhythmic and flexible jazz musician. Art Weiss expresses a spiritual and dynamic felling to jazz lovers.