Pokey LaFarge is a singer-songwriter who incorporates elements of early jazz, country blues and folk into his music. Following the release of his debut album Marmalade, he joined The Hackensaw Boys on tour. LaFarge’s sophomore release, Beat, Move & Shake, was released via Big Muddy Records. The first album with his band The South City Three, Riverboat Soul, was recorded... read full bio
Chuck Mangione is an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success with his jazz-pop single, "Feels So Good". Mangione has released more than thirty albums. Chuck Mangione's quartet with saxophonist Gerry Niewood was a popular concert and recording act. "Bellavia", recorded during this collaboration, won Mangione his first Grammy Award in the category Best Instrumental Composition. Mangione's... read full bio
Martino has been recognized as one of the most exciting and virtuosic guitarists in jazz. With a distinctive, fat sound and gut-wrenching performances, he represents the best not just in jazz, but in music. He embodies thoughtful energy and soul. He has performed with a wide variety of artists including Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, Richard Groove Holmes, John Handy, Bobby... read full bio
She began playing the piano at five, learned the clarinet, flute and saxophone while in high school, then later accomplished the mandolin and guitar. Johnson also focused on singing and songwriting. Johnson continues to write music for other artists, including SheDaisy, Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea and Patty Loveless. Her first two singles,”Georgia” and “Complicated,” reached No. 1 on the Canadian... read full bio
Long before there was an official radio format dedicated to the genre, Spyro Gyra was putting ""smooth"" into ""jazz,"" brilliantly blending soul, jazz, pop and world beat influences to become one of the seminal and most famous ensembles in the instrumental world. They are an American jazz fusion band that was originally formed in Buffalo, New York. Their music, often... read full bio
Cleo Laine is a singer who has done just about everything. She's played everywhere - English dance halls to London's Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie to the Blue Note Cafe. She's been on stage, on Broadway, to London's West End, done opera and the BBC. Cleo's records continue to be distributed worldwide. Her Woman to Woman album merited five stars out... read full bio
Arturo Sandoval is a Cuban-born Trumpet player and former protege of trumpet legend Dizzy Gillespie. He was a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning group Irakere, whose explosive mixture of jazz, classical, rock and traditional Cuban music caused a sensation throughout the entertainment world. Sandoval can burn through an Afro-Cuban groove, tear up a bebop tune, soar over a Mozart... read full bio
Following many years of listening to music, his early heroes being Floyd Cramer, the Ventures and Booker T. And The MGs, Winston took up the piano at the age of 18. He switched to jazz after being influenced by the ‘stride’ piano of Fats Waller. The mysterious and enigmatic Winston stopped playing in 1977 until the music of Professor Longhair... read full bio
Dee Dee Bridgewater (AKA Denise Grant) was born in 1950 to a musically driven father (a trumpeter and teacher) and thus was exposed to music at a very young age. She would sit around and listen to the music her father would play and, by the time she was 16, Dee Dee was in a trio of RnB vocalists who... read full bio
Guitarist Kevin Eubanks who often good-naturedly serves as a comic foil for host Jay Leno -- was officially named music director of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno after filling in for the bands original director, saxophonist Branford Marsalis. Eubanks, one of the most prolific jazz guitarists in the country, was a key member of The Tonight Show band... read full bio
The current Basie ensemble is uniquely equipped to render this distillation. One reason is the remarkable continuity of personnel that continues to connect the past to the present in the band. There are five permanent members in the current Basie Band who played under Count Basie's personal leadership.This is no exercise in nostalgia, however. Over its history, the Basie Orchestra... read full bio
"A native Californian, Gerald Albright grew up in South Central Los Angeles. After high school, he attended the University of Redlands where he received a B.S. degree in Business Management, minoring in Music. Immediately after college, Albright began to master his talent by working extensively in the studio with such artists as Patrice Rushen, Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Lola Folana,... read full bio
Awarded two Grammys as the best jazz vocalist, twice played the White House and her recordings top the charts. She was discovered by Dizzy Gillespie who brought her on stage at the 1979 Monterey Jazz Festival. Stan Getz became her mentor. Vocalist/pianist Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. A longtime disciple of Dinah Washington and... read full bio
The Artie Shaw Orchestra, under the direction of Matt Koza, hews to the Shaw legacy, and continues with the time-tested formula that has always pleased a full spectrum of audiences for over 60 years; from the Begin the Beguine" fans of yesteryear to the new jazz fans who want to imbibe in an exciting and heady evening of Swing. Shortly... read full bio
Elizaveta Igorevna Khripounova, is a Russian-American pianist, singer/songwriter and opera singer. Her debut full-length album Beatrix Runs" was helmed by Grammy Award-winning producer Greg Wells and was digitally released on Universal Republic Records. The album was physically released through Amazon on July 17, 2012. Elizaveta released her iTunes Session EP. Elizaveta's music is a quirky and magical brew of musical... read full bio
Jack DeJohnette is a Chicago-born drummer. After switching from the piano around 1960, DeJohnette joined Miles Davis' Bitches Brew-era band. During his early Chicago years, DeJohnette played everything from R&B to free jazz. After moving to New York in 1966, he played with John Patton, Jackie McLean, Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln. From 1966-9, he achieved his first international exposure... read full bio
Roy Hargrove, widely recognized as one of top improvising trumpeters, has not only wowed crowds throughout the world as he leads what is arguably the hardest working and most exciting band in jazz, but has also impressed critics who award him high scores in polls. In addition, Hargrove has been involved in a number of side projects, ranging from T.... read full bio
The Brubeck Brothers Quartet is headed by two versatile and talented sons of America's more notable musical families. They deliver a jazzy blend of original tunes, favorite jazz standards, and ever popular Dave Brubeck classics. Chris and Dan Brubeck had the unique privilege of growing up listening to, studying with, and eventually playing alongside some of the great jazz legends... read full bio
Matt Dusk is a velvet-voiced singer, who is all set to sing his way to international stardom. Matts music takes the finer elements of the rat pack era (great vocals, style, sophistication), and gives this classic genre a 21st century spin with state of the art production values and unique new material. Past, present and future meet and the result... read full bio
Internationally acclaimed pianist, composer & humanitarian Keiko Matsui creates groundbreaking, thought provoking & inspirational music. The courageous, spiritually driven and consummate artist enjoys the distinction of being an invited guest and performer at the International Jazz Day. Her unique melting pot of musical influences have garnered her a devout international following. The eloquent and soft-spoken but yet deliberate musician tours... read full bio
