Bassist, composer and luthier, Scott Ambush has been performing since the age of twelve. A native Marylander, Scott began playing electric bass when he discovered that the drum slot in the band he wanted to join was filled. Scott has no regrets. A member of the super group Spyro Gyra, he is known for his versatility, sensitivity and lyrical playing. Scott is equally at home in a wide range of musical contexts, having played with such luminaries as Stanley Turrentine, Dizzy Gillespie, Omar Hakim and Special EFX; backing R&B vocalists Angela Bofil and Jeane Carne; as well as R&B jazz instrumentalists Pieces of a Dream and George Howard. Whether doing live dates with international recording artists Special EFX or recording projects with Teresa DeSio (Italy), Misato Watanabe (Japan) or world renown drummer Mr. Hakim, Mr. Ambush's varied experiences have served him well. When not on the road, Mr. Ambush writes and performs with the highly respected Washington-based alto saxophonist Marshall Keys...

“David Bach’s strong, highly-musical and emotional playing, seamlessly playing elements of contemporary jazz, piano and groove oriented tunes with a passion often missing from contemporary instrumental music. Even more amazing is the impeccable production, which masterfully blends acoustic and electronic instruments to form a unified work. … His music is highly driven”… Randomooise “impeccable, shimmering and refreshing”… The Washington Post - "is a relaxing mix of jazz, new age, and world influences…filled with challenging arrangements and musical surprises”… KASU-FM Arkansas State University

The Bay Jazz Project brings experience and energy to every performance. Members carry 5 music degrees between them and over 50 years of performing and recording combined. Playing a wide variety of styles from classic swing, Be-Bop, smooth jazz, and fun originals, BJP is versatile and professional no matter the setting. In 2009 BJP will be performing at Wine in the Woods, the Bowie Arts Expo, Crofton Summer Concerts, Bowie Summer Concerts, Queen Anne’s County Concert Series, St. Michael’s Thursday Concerts, and Rehoboth Beach Jazz Fest.

Led by Pianist/Keyboardist Sean A. Lane who has for more than 10 years has been pursuing his love of music making in the Washington-Baltimore area. He has degrees in piano and music therapy from SUNY-Fredonia where he studied with pianist Robert Jordan, and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland - College Park where he took ...

The Blackman/Barke Quartet looks back to their elders while keeping an eye toward the future. Rather than take a snpshot of 1960’s post-bop, they blend classical sensibility with a New Orleans swagger to form their melodic appeal of sophisticated, thoughtful jazz. Led by two graduates of the acclaimed University of Miami school of Music, Alan Blackman and Steven Barke have hopes of being as innovative as former graduates Jaco Pastorious, Pat Methany and Bruce Hornsby.

Larry Bright's high energy fusion drumming has earned him a place as one of today’s hottest jazz performers. His advanced rhythm patterns & explosive style have gained him acclaim as the preferred drummer for progressive jazz artists worldwide.

Larry didn't get seriously involved with drumming until he was in his late teens. His first great interest in drumming developed in the early 70s after seeing Bill Cobham. "Man, I was just blown away with all these new types of rhythms. I had never heard grooves like that."

Larry began studying under master drummer Purnell Rice. He remembers, "Those times were hard. I was the oldest student in the class. I remember studying my paradiddles & patterns and these 14-15 year old kids would sit down and smoke me." Fortunately, Larry wasn't the type to give up easily. Larry decided there and then that he would have to practice better & longer if he wanted to make it.

This native Washingtonian has been captivating audiences locally and internationally with her soulful delivery and vocal acrobatics consisting of jazz, blues and R&B for over 6 years. She is not afraid to express the songs she sings in her own way and style so you can live them as well, even long after you've left the club and have gone home. Her versatility enables her to take from any category she wishes and incorporate it any genre. Liz's vocal excellence has taken her overseas where she has had the opportunity of performing in Singapore, Hong Kong, & Shanghai. Locally, Ms. Briones is entrenched in the local DC/MD/VA music scene and is in high demand in area clubs, hotels and restaurants. You can find Liz almost any day of the week pouring her heart out on stage. You walk away in awe of her energy and vocal range. Liz can stretch the boundaries of any song, take you out to the limit and then reel you back in with a heart-wrenching ballad leaving you wanting more!

Brown Street is a jazz-fusion band paying tribute to the songs of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Brown Street, who has just released their latest CD, "Live at Evergreen!" may be the Mid-Atlantic's only classic jazz-fusion tribute band". Saxophonist Kevin Edmonds has put together a fantastic line up of DC-based musicians including Arshak Sirunyan on synthesizers, Chris Rhodes on electric bass, Steve Perkins on percussion, and Paul Dudley on drums." Brown Streets' versatility allows them to play a variety of other jazz-oriented styles including Swing, Blues, Be-Bop, Cool (West Coast Style), Hard Bop, Groove, Contemporary, and vocal selections are featured occasionally as well!

Trumpet and flugelhorn player, Todd Butler migrated to Baltimore to study with Hank Levy at Towson University, where he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees. He has now established himself as a versatile performer and for one who is reasonably new on the scene, the 32 year old trumpeter/educator has made a lot of inroads in 12 short years. Butler has used his talent, time and learning to develop some great "chops" and a good realistic attitude, a major survival technique.

The music of Butch and Rhonda Coleman can be described as Smooth Jazz/Adult Contemporary music. Their repertoire includes standards, contemporary jazz as well as their original music. Whether it's, "My Funny Valentine" or “Mercy, Mercy” or John Coltrane's “Impressions”, they can move an audience creating an intimate atmosphere that compels the listener to want to hear more. Their music features Rhonda on piano and vocals and Butch on bass guitar and vocals. Then they add a drummer and saxophone player creating a further dimension to the Coleman sound. On some occasions you will enjoy their complete sound which includes a guitarist and percussionist and background singers. This exciting combination adds yet another dimension to their sound, one that is exceptional and exciting for concerts.

Moe Daniels is one of the most in-demand keyboard players in the Baltimore Washington area. He has played on recordings by Lonnie Liston Smith, Kim Waters, Parris Lane, Nancy Wilson and Jaared Arosemena. Moe has also played with most of the best Jazz and R&B bands in the area including Grainger, The Kenny Wright Group, Larry Bright and has led his own band for more than 10 years playing venues such as The 13th Floor at The Belvedere, Artscape, Blues Alley and BET on Jazz. He has performed for President and Mrs. Clinton, Michael Jordan, and Ray Lewis. Moe has written music for The Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

“The DC Project” is a world beat jazz group that plays an eclectic but highly listenable and danceable variety of jazz music infused with the sounds of Latin America, Brazil, Africa, as well as Funk, R&B, and American Rock and Pop music. In addition to original material, “The DC Project” plays the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Nora Jones, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Janet Jackson, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, and has performed at The Kennedy Center, The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Artscape, Blues Alley, The Maryland Wine Festival, The Corcoran Art Gallery, The Phillips Collection, and even Thomas Jefferson’s famous Rotunda at the University of Virginia. The leader of “The DC Project”, Guitarist and Composer Dave Cosby is a musician and educator whose work defies the boundaries of genre and style. While trained in traditional and mainstream jazz at Rutgers University’s famed jazz program at the Mason Gross School for the Arts, his musical sensibilities as a performer and composer express interests and influences that traverse multiple musical categories and musical cultures.

This band is unique. They don’t sound like any other jazz band you’ve heard. This Guitar lead Trio plays a blend of Jazz, World Music, Rock, and Modern Classical Music. The bands' emphasis is Texture, Strong Melodies, Drama, and Improvisation that at times reminds the listener of Weather Report, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Bill Evans, and The Brian Blade Fellowship. The band grooves without relying on “Funk Clichés” and makes Old Time signatures swing. Hip, Sophisticated with a beautiful original sound that is both progressive and accessible.

Ryan Diehl pays respectful tribute to jazz standards with an approach that’s enticing to hipsters and jazz aficionados alike. His ensemble presents exceptional musicianship in a matchless style that is inclusive and relaxed for audience members. Diehl owns the incomparable ability to drum and sing traditional jazz standards with a modern, groovy edge that combines soulful singing with subtle humor, bringing timeless jazz classics to light in the new millennium.

This instrumental duo delivers an exciting mix of improvisational groove music to stimulate the mind and body. Drawing on Jazz, Rock, Latin, and World music, the musicians of Duology will take you on a musical journey that reflects the ethnic roots of its members, the spice of Latin America, their extensive studies of straight-ahead jazz, and the funky sounds of their hometown, Washington, D.C. Duology is a collaboration of two musicians and friends, Sriram Gopal, on drumset and percussion, and Geoff Rohrbach, on keyboards and flute. Live sets will often include familiar pop and rock hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, which have been transformed into vehicles for improvisation. This material stands side by side with ethnic folk music from around the world. Their original material reflects their diverse interests and can be both intimate and explosive. In the past year, the band has performed at the East Coast Jazz Festival, Blues Alley, Twins Jazz, and several other notable venues in the Washington D.C./Baltimore metro area.

Michael Fath’s Le Jazz is a 9-piece jazz project consisting of Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Trombone, 2 Trumpets, Pedal Steel Guitar, Drums, Bass and Guitar. They play half original Swing, Rockabilly, Funk and Blues, and half cover Straight Ahead Jazz, Fusion, Funk and R&B standards. They released their first CD “The Chase Begins” in 2001 and have headlined such venues as The Kennedy Center/Millennium Stage and Blues Alley.

Pianist, Keyboardist and Accordionist "Hurricane" Howard Feinstein features a wide range of musical styles, as a soloist and in a variety of musical settings, from duo or trio to a Mardi Gras-style band. Howie has contributed piano, keyboard, and accordion tracks on recordings by many local and regional artists. His credits include movie soundtracks, television and radio. Howie has traveled extensively with Bobby Parker’s Blues Night Band. When he worked in the South as an attorney, he became captivated by the wide-ranging gumbo of Louisiana’s musical styles, including its colorful piano tradition and Cajun and Zydeco accordion culture.

Howie is a firm believer that first-class, professional music performance can also be a treat for the audience. He has performed at embassies, private clubs, government agencies, private residences, and has always delivered an upbeat, enjoyable experience for the hosts and guests. When playing at concerts, festivals, and special occasions, he has often augmented the show with visual displays and discussions of the music’s cultural roots. His newest album, "Roots and Branches", which includes several original compositions, is due for release in early 2009.

Carl Filipiak has earned critical acclaim as one of today’s most dynamic jazz guitarists. Jazziz Magazine has included him among a renowned list of guitar players in their nominations for “New Fusion Blood,” and JazzTimes calls him “a dazzlingly versatile guitarist.”

Many of his recordings and performances have paired him with some of the industry’s finest musicians including Dennis Chambers, Victor Wooten, and Grammy nominee Bob Berg. His six independent recordings on Geometric Records have garnered him reviews in such prestigious publications as 20th Century Guitar, Billboard, Guitar Player, Guitar World, Jazziz and JazzTimes. Turner Broadcasting and NBC Sports have featured Carl’s music in several televised events including the Olympics.

Carl performs at various festivals and venues along the east coast and has been honored regionally with several awards. He has received the esteemed WAMA award from the Washington Area Music Association for “Best Jazz Instrumentalist”, “Best Guitarist” from Baltimore Magazine and “Best Jazz Musician” from The City Paper.

Jerry Gordon plays a “Wes Montgomery” influenced style of guitar and does it very well according to Eric Brace of The Washington Post. Eric declares that Jerry Gordon is WORLD CLASS. The Post also says “Gordon's band provides a soundtrack for dining and dancing.” His style of performance has also been described as “Warm and Soft” by people all over the Baltimore and Washington area and Jerry has been placed in the hierarchy of guitar players that have come out of the Washington and Baltimore area.

Gary Grainger, a self-taught bass player, enrolled as an art major at Morgan State University, but kept his interest in the bass alive by playing in local bands on weekends up and down the Baltimore/Washington corridor. When he speaks, it's usually in clean bass tones articulated in musical dialects ranging from fusion to funk to pure jazz. Word spread fast of this great music talent and music aficionados everywhere began to spread the news. Gary joined soul singer Luther Ingram. After Ingram, he joined a fusion band called Inner Visions, which was later transformed into the Columbia label recording group Pockets where he recorded three albums and toured as the opening act for Earth Wind and Fire...

Stuart was first introduced to various Jazz Artists and Jazz Guitarists while studying music at Towson University. He became so intrigued with the infinite musical possibilities he was introduced to, he began to practice 12-14 hours every day. Soon after he began to carve a little niche for himself in the Baltimore music scene. Stuart has performed and/or recorded with Matthew Garrison, Dennis Chambers, Larry Bright, Gary Grainger, Gary Thomas, Paul Bollenback and many other talented Baltimore Washington area musicians hitting the national scene.

“Thank God Stuart Hart followed his heart. Making music is what he was born to do.” - Susie Mudd, Music Monthly

The Bill Heid Trio plays a mixture of Straight-ahead Be-Bop, some down home Blues, A Ballad, a couple Latin flavored pieces, a contemporary R&B vocal, and even a Hip-Hop type cut. This trio digs playing it all – hard driving Bop, down in the alley Blues, subtle Ballads, Funk, and “post Modern” Bop. They find that all of their audience enjoys the variety.

Keyboardist/vocalist Bill Heid has performed throughout the Unites States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Singapore. He has led his own groups as well as played with Jazz artists Jimmy Ponder, Bruce Foreman, Grant Green, Sonny Stitt, and David “Fathead” Newman, and with blues artists Son Seals, Jimmy Witherspoon, John Lee Hooker, Fenton Robinson, Ko Ko Taylor, and Roy Buchanan. From the late 1980s through the 1990s, Heid performed and recorded with blues legends Johnnie Basset, Joe Weaver, and Alberta Adams. Heid has appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival with his blues and jazz piano and Hammond Organ keyboard work. His recordings are on the Muse/Westside, Black Magic, Fedora, and Savant labels.

Born in Washington, D.C., Ron Holloway grew up listening to his father’s collection of 78s and LPs. Because his dad gravitated toward saxophone players, Holloway heard all the great tenors, including Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, John Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins. Even though jazz was the sound he heard when he was home, Ron also had his ears tuned to the radio where he was feasting on the pop sounds of the day, including tunes by James Brown, Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, the Beatles, and Stevie Wonder. It’s no surprise then that in addition to playing his tenor saxophone in his high school orchestra, Holloway was gigging in local R&B, Rock, and Funk bands. This led to playing with Root Boy Slim (aka Foster McKenzie III) in his Sex Change Band, which scored a couple of Seventies cult hits, “Boogie ‘Til You Puke” and “You Broke My Mood Ring.” Later Holloway forged a long-standing professional relationship with Gil Scott-Heron, with whom he’s recorded and toured since 1982. Back on the jazz side of the tracks, Holloway met and sat in with several musicians, including Sonny Rollins and Freddie Hubbard. In 1977, he met Dizzy Gillespie and performed in his band whenever...

Fred Hughes has performed, conducted and presented workshops nationally and internationally for over two decades. By age 25, Fred had long been recognized as an up and coming conductor and world class jazz pianist. In 1981, Fred formed his own jazz group “Just Friends” and recorded six albums for Oasis/EMI Records. Just Friends performed for sold out houses and to live radio and television broadcasts throughout the Korean Peninsula. Fred returned in 1985 and performed throughout the eastern U.S. with his jazz trio, Alternative, before joining the United States Army’s premier touring jazz ensemble, the Jazz Ambassadors. As pianist and soloist for the Jazz Ambassadors, Hughes performed at such prestigious jazz festivals as the Newport, Montreux, Nice and North Sea Jazz Festivals.

Hughes has performed with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra...

Combining the swing of Count Basie, the beat of Buddy Johnson, the New Orleans lilt of Fats Domino, and the passion of Dinah Washington, the J Street Jumpers are one of the East Coast's most popular jump-blues and swing bands. They've garnered the respect of the Washington music industry as well, evidenced by two 1998 Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) Wammie award wins: (1) Best Jazz - Traditional Duo/Group, and (2) Best Jazz - Traditional Female Vocalist (Marianna Previti). Their recent CD release, Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby? was named to The Washington Post's list of favorite local CDs of 1998.

Founded in the early '90s by saxophonist Charlie Hubel, the Jumpers have spent most of the last decade honing their chops in clubs, halls, and ballrooms in the mid-Atlantic. Recently, they performed for President and Mrs. Clinton at The White House at the annual Governors Ball. The band also wowed crowds three times this year performing at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage...

JUMP STREET is a multifaceted group of musicians whose signature is derived from the wide range of music styles that comprise their repertoire. The Baltimore based quintet has been together since 1994 and has established a popular following in both public and private venues.

The members of JUMP STREET are JEFF WILSON (Keyboards and Vocals), BRAD COLLINS (Sax and Vocals), LAMONT "TERRY" BATTLE (Bass), & JAMES TAYLOR (Drums).

The band smoothly blends Contemporary Jazz, R&B, traditional standards, Latin, and Dance/Pop into a collage of rhythm and melodic colours. Undoubtedly, part of the allure of the group stems from their easy transition between these various musical styles...

Versatility and a strong sense of melody have helped make Marshall Keys somewhat of an icon in his native Washington, DC. The wide audience that used to listen to his group at Takoma Station and the Ritz Club has long wondered when he would finally release an album under his own name. "The longer I waited, the greater the pressure was to make a good recording and a really strong statement". The new recording, "First Born" was released on the Marimelj label. Keys attended Howard University, switching to music only after 2 years of a psychology major. He cut his teeth playing in local bands before gaining his first professional experience with The Blackbyrds and a long association with the great blues organist Jimmy McGriff with whom he recorded the album “Countdown”.

Marshall has worked with many of the world’s greatest jazz and blues musicians including:...

Guitarist and Composer Brian Kooken, a native of the Baltimore-Washington area, studied classical and electric guitar at Towson University where he received a B.A. Degree in Jazz and Commercial performance. He has performed at a variety of Baltimore/Washington venues and recently headlined at the internationally famous Blues Alley for a CD Release Party of his new CD “Visions”. “Visions” features original compositions with Brian on Guitar, Jeff Reed on upright bass and Jeremy Blynn on Drums. Brian has performed and recorded with many local musicians, including Greg Thompkins, Steve Swan, and Ron Warren. When not performing, he teaches electric and classical guitar at his private studio in Cockeysville, Maryland.

Levine's music speaks eloquently. His smooth jazz offerings seem tailor-made to please fans of Bob James, Kenny G and like-minded musicians. "An extraordinary composer / keyboardist" is the way many would describe Elliot Levine. Finding the love of music at the impressionable age of 4, Levine played by ear and didn't begin to study music until high school. Living in the era of Rock n' Roll, Elliot somehow found his way toward jazz, fusion and funk. Elliot reflects on his humble beginnings as a musician playing at the Peabody Book Shop in Baltimore, he says, "That's when I played for free beer, and the experience." The next phase in Elliot's career was when he hooked up with keyboard virtuoso, Greg Hatza of Towson University and Moon August...

O'Donel (O.D.) Levy was offered scholarships to both the Maryland Institute of Art and Peabody Conservatory. He chose Peabody, and off he went. His professional musical career started like most - he put together a band with Charles Covington (present instructor at Peabody & Howard University), Chester Thompson (present Drummer for Genesis and Phil Collins), and Judd Watkins. Covington played the Hammond B-3, Thompson did the drums, and Watkins handled the vocals. O'Donel was the main attraction at the Montreaux Festival, and every year, for decades he had joined Ahmad Jamal and Keter Betts on stage at Blues Alley for The New Year’s Eve Shows. He’s played with the who’s who of blues, jazz, and even soul. He has appeared with the late great Miles Davis, and stood beside Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff. If he hasn’t played with them, he has written music for them. He’s written stuff for Luther Vandross, Sarah Vaughn, and his friend, Herbie Mann. In addition to Jazz, OD performs R&B, Blues, and Soul.

Al Maniscalco has been making strong contributions to the East Coast Jazz scene since 1993. Born in Staten Island, New York and raised in Hollywood, Florida, Al migrated north to Maryland after receiving his Bachelor of Music degree in 1992 from the University of North Florida. In 1994 he completed studies to earn a Master of Music degree from Towson State University.

Now hailed as one of the regions top saxophonists, Al has achieved a substantial resume, including performance with Branford Marsalis, Tony Bennett, Bunky Green, Valery Ponomarev, George Colligan, Curtis Lundy, Billy Hart, John Hicks, Ronnie Mathews, Larry Willis, Eddie Henderson, Marcus Printup and Chuck Mangione. He has shared the stage with such popular favorites as The Temptations, Hal Linden, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, and has appeared on international Cruise Lines. In 1992, Al Maniscalco was selected WINNER of the Jazz Category in the Great South Florida Sound Search, sponsored by the Miami Herald, competing with over 600 contestants. In 2004 he was among 12 winning finalists in the “Search For A New Jazz Star” competition hosted by EuroClubdeJazz.com and sponsored by Sony Jazz, competing with hundreds of musicians from all over the world...

Mantra is an exciting new trio dedicated to forging an original voice in Jazz. Mantra draws inspiration from the vibrant and fertile early period of electric jazz- Miles Davis, Tony Williams Lifetime, and Weather Report- and mixes this with the melodic and rhythmic freedom of the free jazz movement to produce a compelling and fresh sound. Mantra features Jon Ozment on organ, electric piano and synth; Chuck Underwood on guitar; and Mark Merella on drums and percussion. Mantra performs original compositions and their versions of tunes by Jazz greats, employing a gamut of textures from structured to freely improvised, traditional Jazz trio to modern electronic soundscapes, resulting in a powerful and persuasive new sound.

Eugene Maslov is a piano prodigy from St. Petersburg, Russia who now resides in the US. He studied classical piano with Lina Bershadskaya at the Moussorgsky College of Music and under Professor Fedorova at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory where he also focused on Jazz studies. Eugene's passion for piano inspires legions of young players. He is a product of a rigorous and disciplined music education with first rate performance ethics, a true maestro. His continued development of classical and jazz techniques has resulted in a series of ground breaking CD releases. Eugene’s sound can be that of a traditional Piano Trio or he can incorporate the influence of Chick Corea. He has successfully worked with the cream of modern Jazz music including Shirley Horn, Hubert Laws, Toots Thielemans, Gary Burton, Eddie Gomez, Vinnie Colaiuta, Omar Hakim, Bob Sheppard and Boris Kozlov.

Six time Wammie nominee Ney Mello’s music is best described by jazz guitar legend Al Di Meola: "Ney's music reflects his global approach derived from his residence in several continents. He is totally committed to world class excellence and has earned my respect and support. His outstanding playing and original compositions showcase his great talent and devotion. He has also achieved a rare level of technique. Ney has all the elements that I like to hear in his playing." Ney has headlined duo concerts with Paul Bollenback (Joey DeFrancesco), as well as Carl Filipiak (Dennis Chambers), and has also been featured as guest soloist on acoustic guitar with guitar hero, Michael Fath

Dubbed "the great Brazilian guitarist" by legendary jazz personality Felix Grant, Ney Mello is rapidly emerging as...

Meritxell, one of the most talented and versatile bilingual artists of today: Her knowledge of Spanish and English language and her talent as a singer-songwriter has enabled her to create a superb product. Mixing vibes from different styles of music, which is guaranteed to seduce the most critical music connoisseur. You will agree that, based on her experience, and most importantly, her cd, self-titled “Meritxell”, this artist is “ready for the world”.

Gary Grainger, world-renowned bassist, vocalist, composer and producer, needs very little introduction: his vast experience in the music world speaks for itself. With his 3rd CD on the market, his collaboration on “Meritxell”, (after Grainger Phase1 and Grainger Phase 2) www.gbmrecords.com , this is pure proof of what he can do for the world: There is no doubt that his tasteful skills have made this “musical experience” so attractive...

Moonstruck Jazz performs as a Trio, Quartet, or Quintet playing Jazz Standards, including Swing, Bossa Nova, Blues, and Ballads, as well as some R&B and Pop tunes, in a mellow, sophisticated style perfect for any occasion. The band performs with Keyboard and Bass with vocals as a Trio, and can add Drums and/or Saxophone as needed. David McGarvey, Liz Fixsen, Don Chirieleison, Ted Corletta, and Mary Flora have been performing locally in clubs as well as for Anniversaries, Birthdays, Corporate Events, and Weddings.

The husband and wife team of Nevitta Ruddy and Ron Pinder along with drummer Earl Jones pose a mighty threat to many of the quartets and quintets around the Baltimore and Washington area. With Nevitta playing the Keyboards and Bass lines as well as the Vocals, Ron being one the best Saxophone players in the area, and Earl carrying all the Drum beats; Nevitta & Company gives the same full rich sound of a four or five piece Combo. They play Straight Ahead Jazz as well as R&B Influenced Jazz, Latin Jazz, The Ballads and Pop Hits in many of the popular Jazz and Blues clubs in addition to Festivals.

“Plan B”, an artistic contemporary smooth jazz band, consists of four of Philadelphia’s finest musicians. Innovative is the word best describing their style and approach to music. They began playing regularly in some of Philadelphia’s quaint venues such as O’Hara’s and Charley B’s and has played recurring dates at Philadelphia’s premier jazz club, Zanzibar Blue. They’ve also delighted crowds while performing many summer festivals and concerts throughout the Delaware Valley.

“Plan B” is constantly incorporating new dynamics and expressions into their songs. Whether they are performing a popular cover tune or some of their highly requested originals, each time you hear them play they leave you hungry for more. What makes them unique from other Jazz groups is their unique ability to encompass R&B, Fusion, Jazz and the magical elements which allows their energy to flow, ultimately embracing the spirit of each listener. When you suddenly find your head bobbing and realize that you are up on your feet dancing to their smooth grooves, you’ve been captivated by “Plan B”. Why use Plan A when there’s always “Plan B”?

Benjie Porecki wows audiences internationally with his soulful, well rounded, and energetic approach to music. Benjie began playing trumpet at the age of 10, playing along with Louis Armstrong records came quite naturally, as well as learning to play a few other wind instruments. Everything really fell into place when he began to play the piano at age 12. “The way the piano was laid out was perfect for expressing a lot of things in a lot of different ways, it allowed me to play bass lines, chords, melodies and to approach things a little bit more percussively." Already drawn to jazz and blues, he began to play relentlessly through old jazz standards, blues tunes, showtunes, songs on the radio, basically whatever he could get his hands on. Benjie joined the first band in which he could finally play keyboard, Special Bulletin. Although only in the ninth grade, they were gigging regularly. Their most notable performance was at Pier 6 in Baltimore for the 1987 Baltimore Jazz Festival...

The John Previti Quartet's new CD was recorded in the studio, but it's easy to lose sight of that fact since the band often sounds as if it's in the midst of a late-nightclub performance, casually swinging its way through a collection of vintage jazz and pop standards. About the only thing missing is the sound of tinkling glassware. The quartet devotes the 12 performances on "Swinging Lullabyes for My Rosetta" to music that has never gone out of fashion in jazz circles. Duke Ellington's handiwork inspires three appealing collaborations, beginning with bassist Previti's ruminative reprise of "In a Sentimental Mood" and ending with "Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me." Sidney Bechet, Earl Hines and Fats Waller also receive affectionate nods. Yet when the band reprises Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz," relying on an arrangement that makes wonderful use of Previti's upright bass, pianist John Cocuzzi's switch-hitting work on vibes and Rick Whitehead's fluid guitar, some listeners will also be reminded of how much guitarist Charlie Byrd, one of the bandleader's friends and collaborators, admired the same tune. Drummer and singer Joe Maher rounds out the lineup, adding brush-stroked motion and soulful vocals to a series of performances that often charm effortlessly. - Mike Joyce Washington Post

D.C. based keyboard wizard Will Rast has been delighting audiences for more than 10 years with his extraordinary piano virtuosity and distinctive style. At 25, Will is a groundbreaking force on the contemporary jazz scene. Will is a prolific jazz composer and the creative catalyst behind his own jazz-fusion ensemble. Will has been nominated twice for Best Instrumentalist in the Washington Area Music Association awards (Wammies), in 2002 and 2004. He has appeared nationwide, including gigs at the legendary Funky Butt and Tipitina's in New Orleans, 55 Bar in New York's Greenwich Village and the Temple Bar in L.A.

Will also plays keyboards in the touring band of Grammy-award winning R&B star Mya Harrison. His recent appearances with Mya include the Waldorf Astoria in New York, shows in Los Angeles and Paso Robles, CA, several television productions and a gig at Kunduchi Wet & Wild Water Park concert in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. He is the music director and keyboardist for critically acclaimed urban/soul contemporary artist W. Ellington Felton & Art Hurts! and...

D.C. based keyboard wizard Will Rast has been delighting audiences for more than 10 years with his extraordinary piano virtuosity and distinctive style. At 25, Will is a groundbreaking force on the contemporary jazz scene. Will is a prolific jazz composer and the creative catalyst behind his own jazz-fusion ensemble. Will has been nominated twice for Best Instrumentalist in the Washington Area Music Association awards (Wammies), in 2002 and 2004. He has appeared nationwide, including gigs at the legendary Funky Butt and Tipitina's in New Orleans, 55 Bar in New York's Greenwich Village and the Temple Bar in L.A.

Will also plays keyboards in the touring band of Grammy-award winning R&B star Mya Harrison. His recent appearances with Mya include...

The Resolution Jazz Group was founded in 1994 by pianist Darius Scott and combines the diverse experiences of some of Maryland's finest musicians to produce a unique musical presentation. The groups focus is straight ahead jazz covering the music of composers like Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans, John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock and they often perform their own compositions and arrangements of jazz standards. Whether the venue is a nightclub, a coffeehouse or a private party, The Resolution Jazz Group creates an uplifting mood and grabs the audience through the music.

Hailing from Washington, DC, Dan Reynolds' soulful piano and keyboard playing and compositions can be heard on recordings by artists including Grainger, Ken Navarro, Origem, Al Williams, & Tim Eyermann’s East Coast Offering. He has also performed with Eddie Harris, Larry Coryell, Najee, Vinny Valentino, and Marshall Keys. His own CD's; 1993's "Never Alone", 1994's "Lifeline" and 2000's "To Be Sure" have received several Washington, DC area WAMMIE nominations and high acclaim from such publications as Jazz Times, Jazziz, and Italy's New Sounds magazine.

The Riverside Carnival Band, named for Mardi Gras, is led by Trumpet player Richard "Bags" Howard and they perform a variety of Dixieland, Jug Band, Blues and Jazz music with some of the most talented and exciting musicians in the Baltimore- Washington area. The Riverside Carnival Band can be a full seven man Traditional Jazz Band for large parties and dances or as small as a Duet or Trio for smaller settings.

“Step back and get out of the way as this Washington based Guitar player speeds on down the road with his band to success in the music business.” Rodney Richardson, a second generation professional musician, along with his Quartet have already played at the World Famous Blues Alley on several return engagements while impressing all of the people in the audience and all of the musicians who come out to take a listen to this fast rising star. The group plays their interpretations of Classic and Modern Jazz hits as well as playing songs written by Rodney.

STEFAN SCAGGIARI, pianist, composer, recording artist, has been an active professional in the music industry for over three decades. His career has taken him to Turkey (the International Music Festival); to the Netherlands (the Rotterdam Music Festival); to Italy for the Salluzo Festival, to Japan for the Concord/Fujitsu Festival Tour, traveling and performing with the Carol Sloane Group, the Modern Jazz Quartet, the Count Basie All-Stars and Mel Torme.

Highlights as both jazz and classical pianist include the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Concord Pavilion, Baltimore’s Artscape Festival; soloist with the Kansas City Symphony, the Evansville Philharmonic, the Florida Orchestra, the Annapolis Chorale and Chamber Orchestra; crossover classical/jazz concerts with his trio at the Shriver Hall Concert Series (Johns Hopkins University) and the Kilbourn Hall Series (Eastman School of Music)...

STEFAN SCAGGIARI, pianist, composer, recording artist, has been an active professional in the music industry for over three decades. His career has taken him to Turkey (the International Music Festival); to the Netherlands (the Rotterdam Music Festival); to Italy for the Salluzo Festival, to Japan for the Concord/Fujitsu Festival Tour, traveling and performing with the Carol Sloane Group, the Modern Jazz Quartet, the Count Basie All-Stars and Mel Torme.

Highlights as both jazz and classical pianist include the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Concord Pavilion, Baltimore’s Artscape Festival; soloist with the Kansas City Symphony, the Evansville Philharmonic, the Florida Orchestra, the Annapolis Chorale and Chamber Orchestra; crossover classical/jazz concerts with his trio at the Shriver Hall Concert Series (Johns Hopkins University) and the Kilbourn Hall Series (Eastman School of Music)...

A Kaleidoscope of many musical influences are incorporated, including Jazz Fusion, R&B/Soul, Jazz Vocals, Smooth Jazz Instrumentals with an Afro Brazil/Latin/American Colorful Percussions Presents and Feelings. The percussion expressions have historically been maintained. Led by Percussionist Charles “Oginga” Shelton and backed by a truly all-star lineup of Gary Grainger on Bass, Larry Bright on Drums, Al Williams on saxophone, Evan Miller on Keyboard and Allen Thomas on Guitar.

A creative collaboration with Ben Sherman on guitar, Angel Resto on bass and Frank Young on drums, the band is jazz-rock fusion that surges with the raw, unbridled energy of fusion pioneers like Jeff Beck and Mahavishnu Orchestra, but the group's clean and clear sound points clearly to the future. The influence of Scott Henderson, Steve Morse, Allan Holdsworth and John Scofield is clearly felt, along with inspiration from such diverse sources as Miles Davis, Weather Report, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles. The grooves are deep, the compositions sophisticated, the playing intense! The group was originally formed to support Ben's first solo CD, FIRST LIGHT, but has emerged as a powerful writing and performing team. All three are experienced, first-rate musicians, each bringing substantial performing and creative talents to the project. The result is focused, intense and uplifting instrumentals, featuring stellar musicianship and lots of improvisation and interplay. Reflecting the collaborative nature of the project, the result is a level of energy and intensity rarely heard in music today. The Sherman Resto Young Band is the sound of three musicians coming together to make a passionate statement about the music they love.

The Ivan Smart Group could be considered five groups in one. We start with Sheryl Bailey of "The Sheryl Bailey Group" on Guitar. We add Gary Grainger of "The WPG Trio" and "Grainger" on Bass. On the Drums, we add Larry Bright of "The Larry Bright Group" and then include Elliot Levine of "The Elliot Levine Group" on Keyboards. With Ivan on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, we have one of the most sought after groups in the Baltimore Washington area. So, if you like a Funk Groove on your Jazz, give The Ivan Smart Group a call.

Ronnie Smith has performed with a wide variety of artists from a variety of schools of musical thought, including The Marvelettes, Melba Moore, and jazz drummer Bobby Durham. Smith has performed as a guitarist for various Army bands in Europe, Texas, Maryland, DC and Delaware and with various University bands, including Maryland, Morgan State, and Elizabeth State University, NC. Smith was born In the eclectic confines of Baltimore and after acquiring his first stringed instrument, Smith spent his time playing by ear, with musicians such as Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Charlie Christian, Pat Martino and George Benson providing the influence.

Berklee School and NYU Alumnus Mark Stanley has been a studio/touring guitarist for, among others, Love and Rockets, Clutch, Andy Partridge (of XTC), Spookey Ruben, Kristeen Young, Chainsaw Jazz, Lordz of Brooklyn, Spirit Gang, Smit Haus, Dennis Chambers, Mark Egan, and Enemy (with Troy Van Leeuwen of A Perfect Circle and Queens of the Stone Age). He has also been the singer/songwriter and guitarist for The Swarm, Farquhar, and Handsome (formerly on Epic w/ members of Helmet, Low Pop Suicide, and The Chromags). Stanley has also been involved in scoring several major motion pictures including She¹s So Lovely and Masterminds, as well as a play with Alan Arkin in 1998 called 'Power Plays' that ran for a year at the Promenade Theater on Broadway. This was not his only stop on Broadway - as he played the guitar for the Broadway Musical Refer Madness in 2001.

All About Jazz, October 2002 Now here's an odd fish: Mark Stanley presents the barest thread of a musical sci-fi thriller about giant insects trying to take over the world. Mahavishnu meets Zappa in Lovecraft¹s game room on this highly unusual but interesting endeavor.

Washington can lay claim to a heritage of great electric guitar players, with the likes of Link Wray, Roy Clark, Roy Buchanan and, of course, Danny Gatton. Let Prince George's County claim that legacy, as each of those pickers spent more time cutting his musical teeth in county roadhouses than anywhere else in the Washington area. Another guitarist born and raised in that corner of Southern Maryland, Jim Stephanson, is part of that legacy, and he came up through many of the same places that Gatton and the rest of them did. Danny and Jim became friends with Stephanson taking lessons from the master in his Accokeek home. Stephanson got into the business choosing to play music full time after he was downsized out of his job in 1994. Since then, he's been one of the hardest-working musicians in the Washington Baltimore and Annapolis area, currently working 3 bands simultaneously: The Jim Stephanson Jazz Quintet, Jimmy & the Blue Dogs, and Stephanson, Mitchell, Previti & Hart.

Stravagant is a band of four famous rock stars from 1,000 years in the future returning back to our time, the time in which the seeds of evil were first sown into the music industry. Playing their driving rock rhythms and psychedelia-washed jazz riffs, the "tomorrow kids" have returned from the future to restore integrity to the music industry for generations to come.

Stravagant has been exercising their genre freedom by exposing the intricacies of different styles and then modifying them for their own amusement, as well as for the wonderment of the crowd who is excited to experience an eclectic style of music that is unlike any of even the most modern music of today.

Stravagant is Owen Adams on keyboards and vocals, Dan Ryan on guitar, Thomas Dickey on bass and Dae-Hyun Han on drums.

The Steve Swan Quintet has all the bases covered. On first is Brain Kooken on Guitar. Brian leads his own group and is a very in-demand player in the studio and in the clubs. On second is Ernie Barnes on Bass. He is a metronome with soft hands to keep everyone in the park. At third is Charlie Edsel, a keyboard player that has played with all of the better Jazz bands in the Baltimore Washington area. Jesse Moody is catching all the rhythms on Drums while Steve Swan is on the mound with his Alto and Soprano Saxophone. The entire band will keep you looking Straight-Ahead.

Twelve years ago, after decades of backing a legion of top local and national performers, four of Washington's finest sidemen stepped into the spotlight to form Swing Speak. Their dream was to have a band in which they could express the full range of their musical experience. The musical chemistry and maturity of those early performances has evolved into something that is both distinctive and exhilarating. Swing Speak’s early repertoire centered around the swing and standards of the 1930’s and 1940’s, but their musical range soon expanded to include the full range of the American jazz repertoire, including a hearty dose of Latin and rhythm & blues. In this era of techno pop and hype, they make music the old fashion way: with a strong melodic content and deft musical skill. The success of this formula has gained them the admiration of their peers, plus a loyal following on both the jazz concert and swing dance circuit.

Lenny Robinson, born in Philly, raised in Baltimore, has performed with some of the most respected names in jazz including: Ahmad Jamal, Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, Don Braden, Vanessa Rubin, George Benson, George Coleman, Onaje Alan Gumbs, Kenny Kirkland, Archie Shepp and John Hicks. Lenny is currently in Stanley Turrentine's working band. He attended Morgan State University as well as the Peabody Conservatory of Music studying with Charles Memphis, Principal Percussionist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. While still in college, he did a European tour with a theatrical jazz ensemble performing at several festivals including Montreux, North Sea and others. After leaving college, he performed with several R&B groups including Jean Carne, Roy Ayers, The O'Jays and others. He then joined the 26th Army Band in Brooklyn, NY where he also became a part of the New York jazz community...

Rarely can a group of musicians, individually unique in their performing careers, come together to meld into a band as true to the spirit as True Spirit. Percussionist Victor Williams along with Guitarist John Grant maintain a fluid band roster, enlisting the talents of other session and studio musicians. Williams, joined in True Spirit by Drummer Blues Web, Bassist Gary Grainger, Guitarist John Grant, Pianist Benjie Porecki, and Saxophonist Dave Fairall to form a remarkably high energy group whose combined years of professional performing exceeds 30 years.

Playing primarily adult contemporary music, a combination of groove, funk and jazz, True Spirit is a very high-energy group whose musicians, individually and collectively, leave audiences begging for more...

James ("Jimi") Tunnell, born in Denton, Texas, began his wide-ranging musical career as a classical/jazz trumpet player. While studying at the University of North Texas, James switched to guitar as his primary instrument. After college, he formed the band "360", with Rob Kilgore (Stevie Winwood, Hall&Oates, Chaka Khan) which launched him into the New York live and studio music scene. In the late 1980's James toured extensively in Japan with Yellow Magic Orchestra artist, Yukihiro Takahashi. He later joined the electric jazz super group, Steps Ahead, replacing Mike Stern, and toured with them internationally for three years. He was the first artist to successfully incorporate vocals into their live concerts, receiving wildly enthusiastic ovations with his own compositions at Jazz Festivals such as North Sea, Montreaux, Milan, and Paris...

The Richard Walton Group is an accomplished, award winning original contemporary jazz group. Since being chosen as a semifinalist in a Mid-Atlantic Budweiser sponsorship, Richard and his band have gained regional and national recognition through airplay, songwriting contests and performances. Richard has received 26 songwriting awards from the Washington Area Music Association and Billboard Magazine.

“There is a lot of talent here and the performances are top notch” “Walton’s songwriting abilities shine on. You must hear ‘So Soon’. It’ll knock your socks off” Dirty Linen Magazine

Saxman David Wells has played with many of the top musicians in many different genres of music in the Baltimore Washington Annapolis area, including The David Bach Consort (Jazz), Rick Wurzbacher Quintet (Jazz), Big Kahuna & The Copa Cat Pack (Hawaiian), and Maysa (Rhythm & Blues"). In 1997, David was also nominated by The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) as "Instrumentalist" Of The Year". ContemporaryJazz.com says David Wells sax licks are perfection.

The Shea Welsh Group - Baltimore born, east coast raised, west coast transplant, Shea Welsh, currently resides in Los Angeles California. Shea has been actively performing, recording, writing, producing and teaching music on both coasts for the past decade. He leads his own jazz/rock group, The Shea Welsh Group, which has performed recently at Los Angeles's world famous Baked Potato and The 2001 EMMY Awards. Guitarist Shea Welsh’s' music has been described as Progressive Jazz and sometimes said to be Fusion Jazz. "You cannot help but notice his diverse talent in any musical medium that is put before him. Whether it's rock, jazz, blues or funk, Welsh is like a guitar magnet - attaching himself to whatever genre the situation calls for.” Regardless of words, Shea's music is never dull. He has honed his own unique style into a music lover's paradise with his ability to use the very best players in the area. He also directs the jazz bands at The Crossroads School for Arts And Sciences and the New Roads School in Santa Monica CA.

Multi-reed player Al Williams has earned rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for his graceful and melodic style of tenor. Alto and soprano saxophones, in addition to alto and C flutes. JAZZTIMES has noted the “poetic beauty” of his saxophone solos.

Soon after graduating the Philadelphia Musical Academy, Al toured the U.S., Canada and South America with Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria. He recorded five albums with Mongo Santamaria. One of the albums, “Dawn”, won a Grammy for Best Latin Album. He then toured the U.S. and Europe with jazz-rock bassist Stanley Clarke. While with Stanley Clarke, Al recorded three albums, “Modern Man”, “I Want To Play For You” and “Stanley Clarke Live ’76 ‘77” and performed with world-renowned musicians Simon Phillips and Jeff Beck...

Flugelhorn and trumpet player, Jimmy Wilson has put together a very fine mix of Progressive, Fusion, Funk and Latin sounds into repertoire that will satisfy any jazz or music lover. Jimmy keeps the variety flowing from beginning to end. Jimmy Wilson leads off his professional career as a solo recording artist with the help of producer / arranger / bassist Terry Battle and an all star cast that includes saxophonist Al Williams, Latin percussionist Alfredo Mojica, keyboard players Bob Kaufmann & David Butcher, drummers Dennis Chambers, Chester Thompson & Greg Grainger, bassists Gary Grainger & Drew Gress, vocal Soprano Kathleen Stapleton and Guitarists John Whitney & Shea Welsh. On this 55-minute recording we find innovative performances of neomodern compositions. This is Contemporary Jazz executed with the skill and precision of some of the most talented players of their generation. This recording will surely capture the hearts and ears of all who listen to and enjoy truly great music.

The WPG Trio is funky. Comprised of three outstanding musicians, Blues Webb, Benjie Porecki, and Gary Grainger, WPG's mix of Funk, R&B, and Jazz is unique and refreshing. Together since 1998, the three bring a tight-knit, energetic, vital unit to the stage, and have they been wowing audiences around the world. Guaranteed to have you either dancing, tapping your foot, or nodding your head as you listen, the WPG Trio is definitely an enjoyable experience in all forms. The unique sound and energy that is the WPG Trio stems from the broad range of experiences that each member brings to the group, as well as the natural chemistry that exists among the three.

The members of The WPG Trio have worked with a seemingly endless list of artists which includes Yolanda Adams, Chuck Brown, Dennis Chambers, George Duke, Mimi Fox, James Funk, Roy Gaines, Luther Ingram, Gladys Knight, Bobby Parker, Pockets, Billy Preston, John Scofield,...

Suburban Maryland based guitarist Ben Young has put together a trio with Organist Yan Falmagne and Drummer Matt Johnson that is reminiscent of the days of Jimmy Smith and Richard "Groove" Holmes. They have added a more modern touch while leaving in all of the original enthusiasm that should please both older and younger audiences. They perform Jazz Standards, Pop Standards, Modern Jazz as well as their own originals.