Anthony Stanco Quartet
2022-01-22 19:30 - 23:30 (America/Detroit)
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Born in Southeast Michigan, raised in the Blues and Soul mecca of Detroit, and tutored by the community’s finest (Rodney Whitaker, Marcus Belgrave), Stanco joins a generation of jazz musicians that both reveres the roots of the music and energetically seeks its future. With a big, brilliant sound and a fearless command of the horn, Stanco brings to mind trumpet greats such as Freddie Hubbard and Dizzy Gillespie. Stanco’s band, The Crucial Elements, has built a livelihood touring the world repeatedly as intercultural ambassadors through the US State Department’s “American Music Abroad” program. They consistently receive rave reviews about their engaging live performances and equally captivating record titled “The Crucial Elements.” Stanco continues to have an active recording career and has released his second record titled “You Know The Feeling” on the Detroit Music Factory label. When not touring or recording he is the Assistant Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Michigan State University.
Hear his music and find upcoming shows here: anthonystanco.com

Marianne Solivan Quartet
2022-01-28 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Solivan has made a name for herself as a hard swinging, passionate, vocalist who has a
commanding stage presence and is able to captivate audiences with her joyous exuberance and
whit. Having performed and recorded with the likes of Christian McBride, Peter Bernstein,
Jeremy Pelt, Bruce Barth, Gregory Hutchinson, Jonathan Blake, Xavier Davis, Michael Kanan,
Steve Wilson, Gene Bertoncini and Lewis Nash, Solivan has been consistently raising the bar for
singers of her generation.
Marianne is currently performing worldwide leading numerous ensembles and presenting her
unique talents with an international audience. In addition to her full performing calendar Solivan
teaches in many different situations including private lessons, group coachings and Jazz camps,
summer workshops and most recently she became the Assistant Professor of Jazz Voice at
Syracuse University in their Jazz & Commercial Music Department.

Shedrick Mitchell
2022-01-30 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Twenty-five years. Multiple genres. Iconic superstars. It’s safe to say Shedrick Mitchell
has accomplished his dreams, and then some. Starting in a church in St. Louis where his
grandfather, and later his father, was the Pastor his first experience playing the piano
proved to be exactly what was needed. What seemed to be a chore at nine years old
became the ultimate training ground to grow into many different musical styles for the
future.
Moving to New York City presented new opportunities to study with famed pianists,
Mulgrew Miller and John Hicks who encouraged Shedrick to attend The New School
(Mannes School of Music). He thrived on the abundance of musicians who played at the
highest level: Kenny Kirkland, Oscar Peterson, Harrold Mabern and countless others.
New York City was a breeding ground of musical genius expressed through jazz music.
After the untimely passing of Kenny Kirkland, it was Mulgrew Miller who recommended
Shedrick for Kenny Garrett’s band. Touring internationally for the first time gave him a
broader perspective of jazz music and eventually led to him recording on Kenny Garrett’s
album, “Simply Said”.
Following his work with Kenny Garrett, Shedrick went on to work with many jazz greats
including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Terrance Blanchard, Antonio Hart,
Johnny Griffin, Dianne Reeves and others. But, it was in 2003 that Shedrick was asked
to accompany one of the greatest voices of our time, Whitney Houston. Shedrick toured
with Ms. Houston for nine years on many different platforms including major television
award shows, The Oprah Winfrey Show and even royal audiences in many countries.
What may be equally impressive is that he continued to perform and record jazz music
and play at his local church in between tours.
Opportunities continued to pour in. Several years later, Shedrick collaborated with the
legendary Stevie Wonder, music and business mogul Jay-Z and R&B/soul star, Maxwell.
During these years, many career highlights included the Super Bowl XL half-time show
with Stevie Wonder, the American Gangster soundtrack and VH-1 special, ‘Storytellers’
with Jay-Z and co-producing Maxwell’s recordings, “Black” and “Summers,” while
currently serving as his Music Director.
Considering all of these invaluable experiences, receiving the request to accompany “The
Queen” Ms. Aretha Franklin, was nothing short of extraordinary. For two years,
Shedrick graced the stage with Ms. Franklin. Their performances included an appearance
on Late Show with David Letterman performing songs from her last recording, “Aretha
Sings the Great Diva Classics,” and one of the highest honors, performing at the White
House for President Barack Obama.
Both Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin had a special affinity for Shedrick’s
musicianship. When he accompanied them on piano or organ, they enjoyed the freedom
his playing allowed, returning them to their gospel roots.
Twenty-five years later, having received four Grammy Awards and recorded over 200
records encompassing styles as diverse as classical, new age, rock, jazz, country, gospel,
R&B/soul and reggae, the journey continues. In June 2020, Shedrick will release his
second solo recording, “Time – Reflections – Distance”, which he hopes will speak to the
challenges we all face today.
After having achieved success as a musician, arranger and producer, Shedrick enjoys
imparting his knowledge and experience into the next generation of musicians as a
teacher, mentor and coach. In all of this, he has managed to stay grounded in his
foundation. On any given Sunday you will likely find Shedrick Mitchell at church,
playing the piano and organ, simply doing what he loves most.

Nate Winn Group
2022-02-04 19:30 - 23:30, 2022-02-05 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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A consummate musician, Nathaniel Winn discovered his passion for the drums in church at the age of 4. Since then, the Detroit, Michigan native has never looked back. Nate has had the pleasure to work with many well-known musicians such as Danilo Perez, Robert Hurst, Pat Metheny and Joshua Redman. Nate’s versatile, but unique style has earned him the opportunity appear on numerous albums.
Nate’s style is influenced by Jazz, Blues and his Gospel upbringing, along with some of his favorite drummers: Brian Blade, Kendrick Scott, and Calvin Rodgers.

Nate graduated from Wayne State University and Berklee College of Music with a bachelor’s in music and a master’s in jazz performance, respectively. Currently, he spends time traveling the world to spread the message of love and hope through music.

Rafael Leafar
2022-02-25 19:30 - 23:30, 2022-02-26 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Rafael Leafar is a rare multi-instrumentalist who can combine great passion, intellectual discipline, and a spiritual fire that is evocative of great artistic creativity.
He has established himself as a remarkable composer and musician not defined by any one particular genre or style.
Hailing from Detroit, Rafael’s connection to music was Jazz; fostered from a musical family at an early age.
His parents invested life changing moves to make certain to access of opportunity to quality schools back and forth from suburban education and playing opportunities in Detroit that would eventually prove fruitful graduating from Sterling Heights High School, DSA, Detroit Civic Jazz Orchestra, & The New School for Jazz.
Over the years since 2009 major recording & performances with; Reggie Workman, Robert Hurst, Marcus Belgrave, Luis Resto, Vincent Chandler, Jeff Tain Watts, Marion Hayden, Sterling Toles, Detroit Jazz Festival Band, Kamau Kenyatta, Video7.
Learn more HERE!

Alexis Lombre Trio
2022-03-19 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Alexis Lombre is a pianist, vocalist and composer from Chicago who discovered early that the true essence of music is not just about what you hear but how music makes you feel. Her musical mission is to keep the ‘Soul’ in music alive. The 2017 release of her debut album, “Southside Sounds”, does just that, as it is a soulful straight-ahead reflection of her upbringing on Chicago’s Southside. This collection of her original compositions is an attempt to pay homage to the Southside’s lively artistic, cultural heritage influenced by Eddie Harris & Gene Ammons. In 2021, Lombre released her most recent single “Come Find Me” which she describes as “lyrically, a gospel song; harmonically, a jazz song and rhythmically, a hip-hop/R&B song. I didn’t create the song with any borders”. As JazzTimes puts it “Lombre says realized early on that by refusing to be constrained by convention— whether so-called “jazz” or otherwise—she’d be honoring, rather than defiling, the rich heritage she’d come to embrace.”

In the May 2019, Lombre toured the Midwest with her group, the Alexis Lombre Trio, and in January 2019 she toured South Africa with Englewood-Soweto Exchange that was powered by a MacArthur grant led by Ernest Dawkins. In 2017 she toured France with Bacongo Square Boulevard, a trio comprised of French, Congolese & American musicians. She has also played with internationally known musicians such as: Nicole Mitchell, Jamila Woods, the AACM Great Black Music Ensemble, Laurin Talese, Junius Paul, Makaya McCraven, Donald Harrison, Bobby Watson, Buster Williams, Wadada Leo Smith, Dee Alexander, J Moss, Cece Peniston, Rudresh Mahanthappa, and Nona Hendrix. Lombre’s band has been opening acts for Chris Dave & the Drumhedz and Marquis Hill and she was also featured in JazzTimes, the Chicago Tribune, the Detroit Metro Times and Vocalo.
Learn more HERE!

Roger Jones & Higher Calling
2022-04-01 19:30 - 23:30, 2022-04-02 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Roger L. Jones II is a native of Flint, MI. Since 1989 he has worked professionally with various artists in the USA, Japan, and Turkey. Roger discovered his musical abilities when he was a youngster at church. His gospel background provided a spring board to his passion for playing jazz music. The church Greater Holy Temple COGIC where his father is pastor, was like a musical battle ground for young musicians. Roger cites his non- gospel influences as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and McCoy Tyner. After graduating from high school, Roger attended Oberlin Conservatory in Oberlin Ohio. While attending Oberlin, Roger’s understanding and musicianship grew exponentially. Many performance opportunities were afforded, and his reputation grew. Since this time, Roger has performed and “sat in” with various musical icons associated with jazz and other musical styles. Some of these individuals include Wynton Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Wallace Roney, and JJ Johnson to name a few.
Roger has developed into a cutting-edge band leader. His band, “Roger Jones & Higher Calling” is comprised of phenomenal musicians dedicated to inventing fresh and innovative ways to approach the execution of music. Mixed with a soulful and modern approach, the music of this band is innovative, relevant to the current generation, and swings ridiculously hard. There is no doubt that Roger L. Jones II will be heralded as one of the most explosive and innovative pianists of his generation.

Sean Dobbins and the Jazz Messengers
2022-04-15 19:30 - 23:30, 2022-04-16 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Jazz drummer Sean Dobbins got his start as sought-after Detroit area jazz sideman at a young age, when he would regularly play with Blue Note artist Louis Smith. As Sean’s Career progressed, he found himself the recipient of many awards and accolades including the “Woody Herman Jazz Award”, an award for outstanding musicianship, as well as the Louis Armstrong Scholarship. Due to Sean’s great talent both as a player and an educator, he has been the focus of countless news articles and jazz radio programs.
Though still young by jazz standards, Dobbins has amassed an impressive list of playing companions. He has performed/toured/recorded with Johnny Basset, Benny Golson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Frank Morgan, Joey DeFrancesco, George Cables, James “Blood” Ulmer, Marcus Belgrave, Larry Willis, Rodney Whittaker, Claude Black, Johnny O’Neal, Paul Keller, Tad Weed, Kurt Krahnke, Jon Hendricks, David “Fathead” Newman, Donald Walden, Cyrus Chesnut, Barry Harris, David Baker, Randy Johnston, Marion Hayden, Mose Allison, and a host of other great musicians.
Sean’s sound can best be described as hard-driving, solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Some of Sean’s influences include Art Blakey, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Ed Thigpen, Sonny Payne, and also Detroit area greats Gerald Cleaver and the one and only Elvin Jones. A product of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Sean has stayed devoted to education throughout his life. Early mentor Louis Smith, an Ann Arbor Public Schools band teacher, impressed the importance of a good education upon Sean at an early age. Sean is known in his community as a band director, drum teacher and positive influence for many.
In 1999 Sean was asked to become the director of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Summer Jazz Program. This program was designed to help educate and inspire young artist as they began their quest of learning jazz. In 1998, a year before Sean’s arrival, the program was in jeopardy of being cancelled due to low enrollment. In 2000, a year after Sean took over the reigns, the enrollment more than tripled and a year later, the group was featured on WEMU, a national jazz radio program.
As a father of three, Sean knows, understands, and accepts the challenge of continuing the art from through clinics, master classes, and concerts for up and coming musicians. Sean makes it a point of incorporating educational opportunities into all of his road trips.
Sean is no stranger to local or national headlines; he frequently plays at venues such as the Firefly Club (Ann Arbor), Baker’s Keyboard Lounge (Detroit), the Music Hall Jazz Cafe (Detroit), Murphy’s Place (Toledo) and Buddy Guy’s (Chicago). His recent recordings include “Odyssey” (PKO Records), “Revealing” (Reparation Records), and “Christmas Songs for Jazz Lovers” (PKO Records), and Blue Horizons featuring Sean and his quintet, the Modern Jazz Messengers.
Find out more

Marquis Hill
2022-04-22 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-04-23 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) **************************************************************************************************
From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul—to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They simply blossomed from different branches.”
That mission to bring styles together, complemented by Hill’s absolute mastery of his instrument, is a through line connecting his many achievements. It can be heard on his latest album, Modern Flows Vol. II, with its seamless blend of jazz interplay, hip-hop-infused rhythms and socially conscious spoken-word. It’s integral to The Way We Play, his Concord Jazz debut from 2016, where Hill and his musicians reinvent jazz standards using their generation’s wide- ranging influences. It marks the four records Hill self-released before November of 2014, when he won the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz competition and became a presence on the global scene virtually overnight. And it defines the revelatory live dates by Hill’s longtime working group, the Blacktet, which the Chicago Tribune called “a remarkably polished, immensely attractive ensemble.”
For Hill, playing and listening without limits has long been an instinct. “It comes naturally; that’s the way I hear the music,” he says. “I came up in a household where my mom played Motown, R&B, Isley Brothers, Barry White, Marvin Gaye. Then I received my first jazz record, by Lee Morgan, and that was added to the collection. … I truly believe that the music is all the same.”
Born in Chicago in 1987 and raised on the city’s culturally rich South Side, Hill began playing drums at age 4, before switching to trumpet in the 6th grade. He attended high school at Kenwood Academy, excelling in its revered jazz-performance program, and was mentored by Bobby Broom, Willie Pickens, Tito Carrillo and other Chicago greats through the Ravinia Jazz Scholars program. Hill earned his bachelor’s in music education from Northern Illinois University and his master’s in jazz pedagogy from DePaul University. During college he made gigs and sessions around Chicago, jamming with and absorbing wisdom from the likes of Fred Anderson, Ernest Dawkins and Von Freeman. Even then, Hill was known in town as a stunningly gifted trumpeter with a soulful, highly textured tone. His sound is now somehow both deeply distinctive and a tour through jazz-trumpet history, evoking the high-drama stillness and space of Miles; the undeniable virtuosity of Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard; the groove- savvy phrasing of Lee Morgan and Donald Byrd; and much more.
Well before Hill won the Monk prize—arguably the most important jazz competition in the world—his reputation for brilliance was firmly established in the Midwest, as a member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, an in-demand sideman and a bandleader. He also developed into a precocious, determined young label owner, and has released five acclaimed discs—New Gospel,Sounds of the City, The Poet and Modern Flows Vols. I and II—through his Black Unlimited Music Group imprint. “Just having my personality, there’s nothing like being in control of what you produce and put out into the world,” he says. “It’s a great feeling.”
A move to New York in 2014 helped him gain wider exposure and new opportunities—though he frequently returns to his hometown for gigs and projects—and in recent years Hill has garnered an enviable spate of press. Previewing a Blacktet show, the New Yorker said, “His performances and recordings reveal a smart post-bop player who circumvents genre clichés by incorporating elements of hip-hop and contemporary R. & B.” Of The Way We Play, DownBeatwrote, “The groove-laden arrangements provide the perfect soundscape for Hill’s fluid improvisational style, which, with its glass-like lucidity, recalls the crisp elegance of hard-bop stalwart Donald Byrd.” In 2016, Hill earned first place in the “Rising Star–Trumpet” category in that magazine’s storied Critics Poll. Throughout his journey, he has supported and guested with a who’s who of jazz that includes Marcus Miller, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Boney James, Kurt Elling, Joe Lovano and Hill’s trailblazing Chicago peer Makaya McCraven.
Today, Hill maintains a nonstop touring schedule with the Blacktet, and the intensely interactive, utterly unique band has become a kind of graduate school for next-level talent—Hill included.“One of the most beautiful things about leading a group is the flow of knowledge and energy that we bounce off of one another,” he says. “Each member contributing their distinctive voice is what truly makes the music and magic happen.”

The Smoogies
2022-04-28 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-04-29 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) **************************************************************************************************
What do you call a group of diverse, talented, multi-instrumentalists and composers? You call them ‘The Smoogies’ — a musical smoothie blended with a lot of culture, life experience and most certainly “a vibe”.

The Smoogies are Vaughn “V.Keys” Henry (keys, vocals), Dion Kerr (bass), Harvel Nakundi (drums) and David Chiverton (drums) all of whom are formally trained musicians from South Florida. Each member has served interchangeably as leader and accompanist to a variety of performing acts around the world, serving in groups such as Lauryn Hill, Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note, Etienne Charles, and Godwin Louis to name a few.

Most recently, the band has won the “Jazz Road” touring grant from South Arts which they will use to kick off the debut tour for their forthcoming second record People Music. With this album, The Smoogies refine their sound as a quartet, deepening both their connection and cohesion. They also hope to continue the band’s philosophy: to make music for the people, and for the people to feel good while listening.
Beginning their career with a feature on the digital music series, “The Chivertone Sessions” The Smoogies quickly developed a buzz, catching the ear of trumpeter Nicholas Payton. This led to their collaboration on the self- released debut Planet Smoogies.
Want to go on a unique musical journey? The Smoogies provide an unforgettable live experience intentionally crafted to inspire a greater fellowship amongst their listeners.
Find out more about The Smoogies HERE!

The Diego Rivera Quartet
2022-05-13 19:30 - 23:30, 2022-05-14 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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A world-class musician, composer, arranger and educator, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Latino background and heritage.
Rivera has several credits to his name as a recording artist, composer and arranger. His newest solo project Indigenous was released in 2021 on Posi-Tone Records. According to executive producer and label co-owner, Marc Free, Indigenous “…explores the ‘Indigenous’ multi-cultural roots of our human family…”. Indigenous climbed to #7 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts.
His debut release on Posi-Tone, Connections, quickly gained attention when it hit the JazzWeek Radio charts as the “Highest Debut”. Rivera’s first recording, Hercules was released in 2006 on his record label, Rivera Records. His sophomore release, The Contender (D- Clef Records 2013) received national critical acclaim reaching the Top 10 on the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He has also appeared on several recordings as a sideman on the Posi-Tone, Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels.

Gayelynn McKinney and McKinFolk
2022-06-04 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) **************************************************************************************************
Gayelynn McKinney began playing the drums at the age of two. Although she
received much of her musical training in the Detroit Jazz scene, she also
obtained her Bachelor of Music degree from Oakland University. Gayelynn has
recorded projects with the group Straight Ahead, (of which she is a cofounder)
Ralph Armstrong and Marcus Belgrave just to name a few. She has recently
recorded solo projects called “It’s About Time,” “McKinFolk The New
Beginning,”and “Zoot Suit Funk.” Gayelynn McKinney’s many awards
include: 2014 Kresge Artist Fellows recipient, with the Group Straight Ahead
and McKinFolk, a Grammy Nomination, Detroit Black Music Award recipient,
and Detroit Music Awards for best jazz composer.
Gayelynn McKinney has had the opportunity to travel extensively and play at many famous jazz festivals including Montreux-Jazz Fest, Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, Olympics, and the Kennedy Center. She has also
performed as a side musician with such notables as Benny Golson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diane Shure, Jason Marsalis, Freda Payne, Roy Ayers, Geri Allen, Marcus Belgrave, Chaka Khan, Roy Hargrove, Randy Brecker, Rick Margitza, Larry Coryell, Ralphe Armstrong, Steve Turre, Kevin Mahogany, James Carter, Tim Ries, (The Rolling Stones Music director) and “Speech” of “Arrested Development.” Gayelynn is also the last drummer to tour with Aretha Franklin. While performing with Aretha Franklin, Gayelynn had the distinct honor to play for presidential hopeful, Hilary Clinton. She also performed at Tribeca Film Fest featuring a tribute to Clive Davis.
Learn more about her HERE!

ON THE ROAD w/ Cedric Easton & Anthony Hervey
2022-06-11 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-06-12 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) ***********************************************************************************

Jazz at Lincoln Center presents On The Road. This inaugural community tour uses
traditional and nontraditional live music efforts to serve the community, educate
students, and present world class music. Additionally, On The Road develops
exceptional beginner and novice jazz artists in order to support the growth of a global
audience for jazz. On the Road has selected Anthony Hervey & Cedric Easton as joint
fellowship recipients to co-lead a jazz Septet through the Midwest.
The Band
Anthony Hervey, co-lead/ trumpet
Cedric Easton, co-lead/ drums
De’Sean Jones, tenor saxophone
George Delancey, bassist
Lexi Hamner, trombone
Miles Lennox, piano/ keyboard
Jordan Pettay, alto saxophone
Cedric Easton is a New York based administrating artist from Columbus, Ohio. A self-
taught musician, Cedric’s foundation for music and community building began in the
black Pentecostal church. While studying youth ministry and business at Ohio Christian
University, Cedric’s dedication, and desire to explore various forms of music afforded
him many opportunities to play with various national and international artist including
Jonathan Nelson, Deitrick Haddon, Dorinda Clark Cole, Jeremy Pelt, JD Allen, Richard
Giuliano, and Chrisitan Howes. During this time, he received honorable mention in Jazz
Times (2012), was commissioned by The Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center to compose
a theme song for the season, and by the Maroon Arts Group to co-create and direct the
multi-disciplinary performance, “Black Staccato” (2015 – 2016). Additionally, he has
self-released two music videos entitled, “Inspire Me” (2016) and “Tears” (2018) Most
recently Cedric featured in a docufilm, “Legacy: Jon Irabagon A Tenor Odyssey” (2021)
Cedric’s career spans beyond his experience performing. He worked as the Worship
Arts Director at New Covenant Believers Church (2006 – 2016), a teaching artist with
the Jazz Arts Group (2010 – 2015) Most recently, in 2016 Cedric was recruited to work
for the prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center based in New York City, New York. He
currently serves as the Associate Director of Outreach, while maintaining an active performance schedule.
Anthony Hervey is a New York based trumpeter, composer, and teacher from South
Florida. At the age of 18 he was admitted to the Juilliard School, graduating with his
B.M. in 2019 and his M.M. in 2020. Hailed as a “beautiful trumpet player of the first
magnitude” by Wynton Marsalis, Hervey has performed at Jazz festivals and concert
halls around the world with some of the best that Jazz has to offer, including Wynton
Marsalis, Rodney Whitaker, Christian McBride, Aaron Diehl, and Jon Batiste. In recent
years, he made his international debut as a bandleader at the Bern Jazz Festival in
Switzerland. In February of 2020, he opened for the Branford Marsalis Quartet at Rose
Theater with a co-led Jazz quartet, Citizens of the Blues. He is also on Christian
McBride’s recent Big Band Album, “For Jimmy, Wes, and Oliver”, which was released
on Mack Avenue Records. On another note, Hervey is prominently featured acting and
playing trumpet in the horror anthology series, Monsterland, airing on Hulu. He views
music as a force that can uplift and inspire. In the same way music has changed his life
and brought him joy, he strives to spread that joy and change the lives of others.

Thaddeus Tukes
2022-06-18 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-06-19 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show) ***********************************************************************************
Thaddeus Tukes is America’s rising star vibraphonist. A Chicago native, Tukes is a jazz composer, arranger, and percussionist who “brings poetry to the vibraphone” (Chicago Tribune). Mr. Tukes is a graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School and Northwestern University, where he studied jazz vibraphone and piano. He has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, Symphony Center in Chicago, the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, and most recently traveled with his Chicago Freedom Ensemble to play the World Expo 2020 Dubai as the “world’s greatest vibraphonist.” From hosting multi-generational jam sessions to “keeping jazz alive on the South Side,” Tukes has emerged as a shining force in the Chicago and American jazz scene. Tukes has performed with a variety of artists including Victor Goines, Roy Hargrove, Nicole Mitchell, Ari Brown, and Chance the Rapper. When not performing, Tukes can be found leading percussion ensembles at various elementary and high schools in the Chicago area.

Theron Brown Trio
2022-07-09 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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A glimpse of gospel, jazz, and soul from the great legends is what inspires the sound of
pianist Theron Brown’s music. But the reason he plays is to encourage and influence people
through his talents.
Born and raised in Zanesville, Ohio, Theron currently resides in Akron, Ohio, where he is the artist coordinator for Curated Storefront, artist director at I Promise School, and the
founder and artistic director of the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival which takes place
annually in Akron, Ohio’s downtown historic district. You can see him regularly performing
at many jazz clubs and theaters in northeast Ohio. Theron is immensely involved in
promoting the arts scene in Ohio.
Theron received an amazing opportunity as he auditioned for and was cast as young Herbie
Hancock in the 2016 released film about Miles Davis, Miles Ahead, directed by and starring
Don Cheadle.
In 2019, Theron released his debut album, No Concepts. Theron is currently working on his
second album titled “Spirit Fruit”, which reflects on essential and fundamental
characteristics that bring positive vibes to peoples lives. This was inspired by Galatians
5:22-23.

Bill Heid Trio
2022-07-23 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-07-24 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Born in Pittsburgh, keyboard/vocalist Bill Heid has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, and Asia, including a three year stay in Japan and nearly two years in China. From 1965 through the mid-70’s, he worked the Hammond B-3 organ “chitlin clubs” with his own groups and with jazz greats such as Sonny Stitt, David “Fathead” Newman, Grachan Monchur, Mickey Roker, Joe Dukes, Roger Humphries, Rodney Whitaker, Robert Hurst, Grant Green, Jimmy Ponder, Bruce Foreman, and Henry Johnson, appearing on two Johnson albums for MCA/Impulse.
From 1975 to 1984, based in Chicago, Bill toured with blues greats Jimmy Witherspoon, John Lee Hooker, Son Seals, and Fenton Robinson, playing on two albums with Robinson, two with Ko Ko Taylor, and another with Roy Buchanan for Alligator Records. From 1984 through 1999, Heid lived and worked in Detroit, appearing on numerous records with Detroit blues artists Johnnie Bassett, Joe Weaver, and Alberta Adams, which included sessions for Fedora, Cannonball, and Black Magic Records, and two European tours. In 2000, he relocated to Washington D.C. and in 2002, his group toured Viet Nam,
Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia as Jazz Ambassadors for the U.S. State Department, returning to those countries for an extended tour a year later, then backed vocalist Jay Klum on another Ambassadors tour to five African countries in 2004.
Between 1996 and 2003, Bill recorded five organ group CDs for the Savant label, a piano trio record for Doodlin’ Records, and in 2008 and 2009, two organ group CDs for Doodlin’, both featuring guitarist Peter Bernstein.

Charles Goold
2022-08-06 19:30 - 23:00, 2022-08-07 19:30 - 23:00
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Charles Goold, is one of the city’s hardest working jazz drummers of his generation. Son of Ned Goold, legendary saxophonist, Charles was able to hear, live and embody jazz from the day he was born, performing with a variety of musicians since age 11. Goold graduated from The Juilliard School and was awarded The Juilliard Career Advancement Fellowship Grant in May 2017. Goold has performed with the best in the jazz industry and a wide variety of acts from Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Johnny O’Neal, Steve Nelson to collaborations with rap legends Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah and Cam’Ron. Goold’s debut album “Rhythm in Contrast” features all of these different influences ranging from Jazz to Afro Caribbean rhythms and funk.

Mike Monford and Detroit Effervescense
2022-08-13 19:30 - 23:30, 2022-08-14 19:30 - 23:30
Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Doors open at 5pm for dinner/Seating begins at 6:15p for the first show & 9:00p for the second show)
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Native Detroiter Mike Monford got an early start on his love for music. It began at the age of four while constantly digging through his father’s jazz and R&B albums. His musical interests grew through his teen years when he absorbed himself in the hip-hop culture, and morphed into DJing at parties under the name DJ M & M. The turning point came in high school when he explored singing, but it was the saxophone that became his instrument of choice.
Mike immersed himself in private lessons with jazz legend Teddy Harris Jr., who also became his mentor, and he took in the jazz scene at some of Detroit’s best-known jazz clubs – Bomacs Lounge, Bert’s Market Place, The Bluebird, and Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. Along the way, Mike’s mentors included resident masters Ken Cox, George Goldsmith, George Davidson, Marcus Belgrave, Donald Walden, and Phil Lasley.
Fresh out of high school in 1992, Mike studied with master saxophonist Phil Lasley and also turned to his peers Dwight Adams, Cassius Richmond, Karriem Riggens, Rodney Whittaker, and James Carter.
In 1997, Mike was awarded a musical scholarship to the University of Hartford – Hartt School of Music. There, he studied with jazz great and master saxophonist Jackie McLean. He also was awarded a musical scholarship from the Societie of the Culturally Concerned, formerly known as the Bluebird Reunion, based in Detroit.

While studying at the Hartt School Conservatory, Mike traveled to New York where he found and was hired by bassist Bill Lee (filmmaker Spike Lee’s father), pianist Marc Cary, pianist Alan J. Palmer, trumpeter Raymond Williams, and bassist Hakim Jami. Not only did he perform with these greats, he also recorded with them. Mike spent some 20 years in New York honing his talents, and entrenched in the history and sounds of jazz.
Armed with his experiences as a performer, composer, and arranger, “Perseverance,” Mike Monford’s debut CD as a band leader was released in 2012. The CD features Grammy Award winning pianist Marc Cary, Tarus Mateen on bass, Steve Williams on drums, and Rayse Biggs on trumpet.
Learn more about Mike here!
