Justin Hurwitz is an American film composer and television writer, best known for his collaborations with director Damien Chazelle. He has composed the score for each of Chazelle's films, including Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, Whiplash, La La Land, First Man, and Babylon. Hurwitz received numerous accolades for his work on La La Land, including two Academy Awards for... read full bio
One of the most inventive and energetic performers the Pacific Rim has ever produced, Polynesian recording artist George "FIJI" Veikoso is still a major force in modern island reggae music. FIJI, a pioneer of the Lost Coast Sound, rose to international prominence with his golden voice and wide-ranging musical repertoire when he left his native island of Fiji at the... read full bio
Nicole Zuraitis is a New York-based bandleader, pianist, arranger, and jazz singer-songwriter who has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She also won the coveted American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. Nicole has established herself as one of the best performers and "prolific songwriters" (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond, with a "heart as big as her remarkable... read full bio
Three-time GRAMMY nominee Lakecia Benjamin is a saxophonist, composer, arranger, and teacher from New York. Her songs have a distinctive fusion of funk, jazz, and R&B. Her tone is warm and resonant, evoking comparisons to Johnny Griffin, and it fits well with any genre she chooses to perform. She honed her skills with Clark Terry and Terri Lyne Carrington in... read full bio
Among Ganavya's most recent credits are: this body is so transitory... directed by Peter Sellars, with live calligraphy by Wong Dongling and solo vocals and compositions by Ganavya and Michael Schumacher; Ch.7: The Goddess, directed by Peter Sellars, with ganavya (solo voice, composition, dance), Michael Schumacher (choreography, dance); Daughter of a Temple, a sound installation created for the 13th Bienale de... read full bio
Don Was' life has always revolved heavily around music. He was born in Detroit and has had a successful career as a musician, record producer, music director, film composer, radio broadcaster, and documentarian. He was also President of Blue Note Records, the venerable jazz company in America. He holds six Grammy Awards for record producing, including Producer of the Year and Album of... read full bio
Five Grammy Awards have been given to Victor Wooten, who has appeared on the cover of Bass Player Magazine five times. As a founding member of the avant-garde band Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, he is regarded as one of the best bassists currently active, frequently being compared to Jaco Pastorius. Rolling Stone Magazine listed him among the "Top ten... read full bio
Jesus Molina is a one-man force to be reckoned with. He is a multi-instrumentalist, world-class jazz pianist, singer, and successful online piano coach. He is also a graduate of Berklee College of Music and a recipient of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation award. His latest instrumental album, Selah, which means "praise" or "lift up" in Hebrew, perfectly encapsulates his... read full bio
One of South Africa's most significant post-Apartheid vocalists is Thandiswa. She started her career with the bands Jack Knife and Bongo Maffin, which was one of the first acts in the Kwaito dance music genre. Following six critically acclaimed albums with Bongo Maffin, she embarked on a solo career. Zabalaza, her debut solo project, went double platinum and garnered multiple... read full bio
Kris Bowers, an Emmy Award-winning pianist and composer, crafts music that transcends genres and honors his jazz heritage while incorporating elements of alternative and R&B. a synthesis of his favorite film scores' cinematic narratives, jazz greats, classical standards, and the alternative and experimental music of his early years. Bowers' early musical influences were diverse and cut across genres and generations,... read full bio
The harp's function in contemporary music is being transformed by BRANDEE YOUNGER. She has dedicated the last fifteen years to pushing the limits and bounds of harpists. As the first Black woman to receive a Grammy Award nomination for Best Instrumental Composition, she created history. She was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award that year, and her most... read full bio
AverySunshine, a native of Chester, Pennsylvania, has made a name for herself in the music industry by skillfully combining her abilities as a pianist, singer, songwriter, and producer. Her path from the classroom to the international stage is evidence of her talent, commitment, and love of music. She is a proud Spelman College alumnus. Atlanta has been Avery's stronghold, where... read full bio
Despite being hailed by the New Yorker as "the most significant bassist this country has produced since the advent of Charles Mingus and Flea," Meshell Ndegeocello's outstanding contribution to the American Songbook remains understated. The native of the Washington, D.C., area has always sacrificed uniqueness for genre, longevity for fame, and musical trends for musical truths. As she explores soul,... read full bio
Miguel Zenón, a Grammy winner, Doris Duke Artist, and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow, is one of a few artists who have skillfully integrated and balanced the sometimes-opposing poles of invention and tradition. He has established a distinctive voice as a conceptualist and is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and significant saxophonists and composers of his time. He... read full bio
Soulive is a funk and jazz trio that was formed in Woodstock, New York. Drummer Alan Evans and his brother Neal, who plays the organ, invited Eric Krasno to play guitar for them. They have a modern style, played with retro instruments. The band toured for three years before they released their debut, Break Out, through Concord Music Group.... read full bio
Level 42 are a jazz-funk rock band from Isle of Wright in England. From the 80s throughout the 90s, the band had incredible worldwide success but then decided to call it quits before getting back together 2001 to start churning out tunes again. In 1986, they had their greatest success to date, with the release of “Lessons in Love” (which... read full bio
The Baylor Project is a captivating partnership that is deeply rooted in jazz. The way for the impact of jazz, gospel, blues, and soul to leave its mark was prepared by the church, where Marcus and Jean's musical roots were firmly established as pastors' children. Released under their own label, Be A Light, their debut CD "The Journey" peaked... read full bio
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (originally Christian Scott) is a musician, composer, and producer who has won two Edison Awards and been nominated for five Grammy Awards. He is the nephew of Donald Harrison, Jr., the renowned saxophonist and jazz innovator. At thirteen, he started receiving instruction in music from his uncle. Adjuah obtained a full tuition scholarship to Berklee College... read full bio
Chicago's Umphrey's McGee has cultivated an impressive presence both live and in the studio. Umphrey's boasts regularly sold-out shows from coast-to-coast and nearly all of their live shows available digitally. The band continues to draw in new listeners with their singular style: virtuoso playing and acrobatic tempo changes and rhythmic shifts complimented by dazzling song craft and composition, memorable hooks,... read full bio
Brian Culbertson is a smooth jazz musician and instrumentalist from Decatur, Illinois, United States. Son of jazz band director and trumpeter Jim Culbertson, Brian's instruments include the keyboard, trombone, drums, bass, trumpet, euphonium and percussion. Heavily influenced by funk, much of Culbertson's material is funk-based instrumental, but he has called upon vocalists such as Trey Lorenz, Marc Nelson and Kenny... read full bio
