Ricardo Grilli, a São Paulo-born guitarist, has made his mark on the NYC jazz scene since 2012, performing with top artists and headlining major venues worldwide. A Berklee and NYU grad, his acclaimed albums like If On A Winter’s Night A Traveler and 1954 highlight his modern guitar style and strong compositional voice.

BIO

Danny Gottlieb, a renowned jazz and contemporary drummer, is best known for his work with the Pat Metheny Group. With over 300 recordings and four Grammy wins, he has played with legends like Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter. A professor at UNF and author of The Evolution of Jazz Drumming, he also tours with Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band, supporting the U.S. military.

BIO

Danny Gottlieb is one of the most popular drummers in jazz and contemporary music. Although best known as the drummer in the original Pat Metheny Group, during the past 30 years Danny has performed and recorded with some of the world’s greatest musicians. They include: Bobby McFerrin, Sting, John McLaughlin, Gil Evans, Gary Burton, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, David Byrne, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Al Di Meola, The Blues Brothers Band, Booker T and the MGs, Jeff Berlin, Lew Soloff, Michael Franks, Mark Egan, Mike Stern, Dr. John, the NDR Big Band, WDR Big Band, HR Big Band, GRP Big Band, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, and many more. He is featured on more than 300 CDs to date, including four Grammy Award Winners.

In addition to his career as a performing and recording artist, Danny is also an accomplished educator and author. He is a Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. He recently released an acclaimed drum set textbook, The Evolution of Jazz Drumming (Hudson/Hal Leonard), and has also released 10 educational drum DVDs, (including three with long time teacher, the legendary Joe Morello (Natural Drumming, Vol 1-3, Mel Bay) and co-authored two texts with Michael Green (The Drummer’s Workbook for Control and Creativity, In the Style of the Modern Jazz Masters, Mel Bay).

Since 2004, Danny and his wife, percussionist Beth Gottlieb, have been members of  actor/bassist Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band. The 13-piece band performs 30-40 concerts per year around the world, 75% of which are benefit concerts for the USO and the US Military. They have performed in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Walter Reed Hospital, The Pentagon, 29 Palms, Luke AFB, Camp Pendleton, and the Great Lakes Naval base.

Danny has been featured on the cover of Modern Drummer, DownBeat, Drums and Percussion, Rhythm, and Drum Scene magazines. He currently authors a monthly article about jazz drumming for DRUM! magazine.

Danny currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

Paul Bollenback, a masterful jazz guitarist, blends influences from George Benson to John Coltrane. Known for his work with Joey DeFrancesco and many jazz greats, he has a rich discography as both leader and sideman. A Grammy-nominated producer and educator, he tours globally while teaching at top institutions and releasing acclaimed recordings.

BIO

Pat is a pianist, composer, producer, and educator with a career spanning jazz, R&B, pop, country, and gospel. He has toured with Michael McDonald, Carmen McRae, and Vince Gill and recorded with Natalie Cole and George Strait. Based in Nashville, he composes, teaches, and leads the Nashville Jazz Piano Guild while working on his seventh solo album.

BIO

Pat is an accomplished pianist, composer, producer, arranger, teacher, and highly respected studio musician. His credits span the musical spectrum of jazz, R&B, pop, country and gospel.

Touring Europe, Japan, South America, Canada and the United States with exceptional artists; Pat is privileged to tour with Michael McDonald, and has previously toured with Carmen McCrae, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Woody Herman, Larry Carlton and Olivia Newton John.

Partial recording credits include:  Natalie Cole, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Trisha Yearwood, Ernie Watts, Michael McDonald, George Strait, Peter Cetera, Scott Henderson & Tribal Tech, Barry Manilow, Michael Feinstein, Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, Woody Herman..etc..etc.  Pat also plays on hundreds of commercials, televisions shows and film scores.

Living now in Nashville, Tennessee;  when not touring and working on others’ projects,  Pat continues to compose and produce original music, underscores and musical projects which are heard worldwide in a variety of media.  Additionally, Pat taught jazz piano, improvisation and combos at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), and most recently served as Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the renowned University Of North Texas (UNT).

Pat is the founder of the newly founded Nashville Jazz Piano Guild, and is currently working on his 7th solo album. His most recent solo projects ‘True North’ and ‘Birdhouse’ are available at patcoil.com and cdBaby.com.

Muneer Nasser, a trumpeter, composer, and jazz historian, blends performance, education, and storytelling. Son of bassist Jamil Nasser, he has played globally and authored Upright Bass: The Musical Life & Legacy of Jamil Nasser. A dynamic lecturer and bandleader, his work spans jazz, reggae, and film, with a new album and Memphis jazz documentary in progress.

BIO

Trumpeter, composer, jazz historian, and author Muneer Nasser developed a lifelong passion for jazz. His father, jazz bassist, Jamil Nasser and the rich musical landscape of New York City provided a great classroom for his jazz education. “Hearing Dizzy Gillespie at the Village Gate (1976) was a mind-blowing experience, which ignited my pursuit of jazz trumpet,” said Nasser. His major publication, Upright Bass: The Musical Life & Legacy of Jamil Nasser documents 50 years of that history.

 Nasser attended The International Art of Jazz Workshop (1979). Trumpeter Dave Burns (Gillespie Big Band Alum) had reservations about his youthful age, but Nasser’s talent overshadowed this concern, “Mr. Burns’ acceptance fortified my confidence, and I began studying with him.” Additional instruction from George Coleman, Jimmy Owens, Oliver Beener, and Webster Young was tested at jam sessions conducted by Eddie Henderson, Ted Curson, Tommy Turrentine, and Gil Coggins. “If you couldn’t play, they would bench you with quickness and give you a homework assignment.” Nasser said. Challenging jam sessions at The Village Gate, Sonny’s Place, Smalls, and The Jazz Center of New York provided a forum to apply those basics. Along with his brother Zaid, Nasser played a soulful rendition of “Straight No Chaser” with Lou Donaldson at the Jazz Center in 1984. Lou said, “Y’all on the right track.”

 Nasser enrolled in Howard University which placed him in a thriving DC jazz scene. Muneer performed at Blues Alley, Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Theater with Buck Hill, Larry Willis, Keter Betts, and Butch Warren. Nasser earned his degree and decided to take his trumpet outside of the United States. Performing in Europe and North Africa expanded his audience. Touring with Jazz Jamaica in the United Kingdom allowed him to share the bandstand with Courtney Pine and Gary Crosby. “I had a chance to perform with the great drummer Clifford Jarvis, and he shared musical and trumpet gems from Kenny Dorham and Freddie Hubbard.” 

 Upright Bass: The Musical Life & Legacy of Jamil Nasser introduced with Ron Carter’s heartfelt foreword sets the stage for an epic story filled with adventure. Publisher’s Weekly said, “The book covers rare historical events and contemporary issues in jazz.” Muneer launched a book release at St. Peter’s Church in New York City wherein he conducted a panel discussion on Memphis jazz with Harold Mabern.  Moreover, Dick Griffin, and Rufus Reid. Jimmy Owens, Lonnie Plaxico, Zaid Nasser, and Winard Harper blew the house down.

Muneer has written and recorded a catalogue of reggae, jazz, rock, EDM, Rap, and R & B compositions. He won the best soundtrack award for the film “Aftershock” at the DC 48-hour Film Festival. Nasser’s post pandemic efforts include teaching master classes and giving lectures in Kassel Germany, Frankfurt Book Fair, JJA Academy London, Berklee College of Music, Howard University, Jazz Education Network Conference, and The Frank Islam Symposium at Montgomery College. 

Nasser is developing an exciting  Memphis jazz documentary and a new album “Blue House Sessions” a follow up to  Nasser’s debut album as a band leader “A Soldier’s Story” which Jazzwise magazine calls, “A hard swinging recording immersed in bebop, Latin, and modal jazz traditions,” features Elijah Easton-tenor saxophone, Allyn Johnson-piano, James King-bass, John Lamkin III-drums.

Are you looking for a great speaker for your company, organization, staff or students?

Musician, jazz historian, and author Muneer Nasser has developed an interactive master class/lecture that utilizes rare music, trivia questions, creative playing exercises, storytelling and lecture/demonstrations. In this masterclass, you will experience total immersion in the sights, sounds and styles of blues infused jazz which will broaden your understanding of contemporary jazz history.

Alicyn Yaffee is a NYC-based guitarist, vocalist, and bassist with a BM in Jazz Studies from Cal State Sacramento. She has toured the U.S. and Europe, performed with artists like Becca Stevens and Benny Rietveld, and released her debut album Someone Else. Currently earning her master’s at Rutgers, she continues to perform and record diverse projects.

BIO

Jaleel Shaw, an award-winning alto and soprano saxophonist, is a longtime member of the Roy Haynes Quartet and Tom Harrell’s “Colors of a Dream.” A Berklee and Manhattan School of Music graduate, he has performed with jazz greats like Chick Corea and Christian McBride. His acclaimed recordings showcase his dynamic compositions and artistry.

BIO

Alto & Soprano saxophonist and bandleader, Jaleel Shaw, won the 2014 Downbeat Critics Poll’s for Rising Star Alto Saxophonist. He is a longtime member of the Roy Haynes Quartet, Tom Harrell’s “Colors Of A Dream” and has performed with Christian McBride, Jason Moran, the Mingus Big Band, Pat Metheny, Stefon Harris, Roy Hargrove, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Jimmy Cobb and several others.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Shaw picked up the alto saxophone and surrounded himself with music at an early age. Immersing himself in the local jazz scene, he studied and performed with many of the city’s great musicians and educators and, following high school, received a full-tuition scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he received a dual degree in Music Education and Performance. While at Berklee, Shaw was awarded the Billboard Endowed Scholarship for Outstanding Academic and Musical achievement (1998), Woodwind Department Chair Awards (1998 & 2000), The Boston Jazz Society Award (1999) and The Outstanding Student Teacher Award (2000). He later received a scholarship to Manhattan School of Music in New York, where he obtained a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance.

Shaw’s debut album, Perspective (2005), received rave reviews from The New York Times and Jazzwise Magazine and All About Jazz named the album one of the top five debut albums of 2005; his composition “The Heavyweight Champion” received an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award.

In 2006, Jaleel joined the Roy Haynes Quartet and was featured on the legendary drummer’s Grammy-nominated album Whereas. Two years later (2008), Shaw founded his record label, Changu Records, on which he released his second album entitled Optimism. The album received reviews from The New York Times, Downbeat and All About Jazz among others. That same year, he received his second ASCAP Young Composer Award for his composition “The Flipside” and was nominated for the Jazz Journalist Association’s “Up-And-Coming Jazz Artist” award.

Shaw was among the musicians listed in the 2011 JazzTimes Magazine’s Readers Poll for Alto Saxophonist of the Year, sharing the honor with Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Bunky Green and Kenny Garrett. In 2013, he released his third album of original compositions entitled The Soundtrack of Things to Come (Changu Records). The album features his current working quartet, and has been favorably received by various publications including the New York Times, New York City Jazz Record, and All About Jazz.

Randy Brecker, a Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter and composer, has shaped jazz, R&B, and rock for over six decades. A founder of the Brecker Brothers Band, he’s performed with icons like James Taylor, Steely Dan, and Frank Zappa. His prolific career spans solo work, global tours, and influential recordings, inspiring musicians worldwide.

BIO

Jazz trumpeter and composer Randy Brecker has helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for over six decades. His trumpet and flugelhorn performances have graced hundreds of albums by a wide range of artists from James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and Parliament/Funkadelic to Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius and Frank Zappa.

Born in 1945 in Philadelphia to a musical family, Randy’s musical talent was nurtured from an early age. He attended Indiana University from 1963-66 studying with Bill Adam, David Baker and Jerry Coker and later moved to New York where he landed gigs with such prominent bands as Clark Terry’s Big Bad Band, the Duke Pearson Big Band and the Thad Jones Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.

In 1967, Randy ventured into jazz-rock with the band Blood, Sweat and Tears, but left to join the Horace Silver Quintet. He recorded his first solo album, ‘Score’, in 1968, featuring a young, then unknown 19 year-old tenor saxophonist named Michael Brecker.

After Horace Silver, Randy joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers before teaming up with brother Michael, Barry Rogers, Billy Cobham, and John Abercrombie to form the seminal fusion group ‘Dreams’. The group recorded two adventurous and wildly acclaimed albums: ‘Dreams’ and ‘Imagine My Surprise’ – now collector’s items – for Columbia Records before they disbanded in 1971.
In the early 1970s, Randy performed live with many prominent artists including Larry Coryell’s Eleventh House, Stevie Wonder and Billy Cobham. He also recorded several classic albums with his brother under the leadership of the great pianist/composer Hal Galper.

By 1975, Randy and Michael were ready to front their own group, the Brecker Brothers Band. A band of immeasurable impact and influence, they released six albums on Arista and garnered seven Grammy nominations between 1975 and 1981. Their eponymous first record, which Randy wrote, arranged and produced, featured his now classic composition “Some Skunk Funk.”

In 1992, exactly ten years after they parted ways to pursue solo careers, Randy and Michael reunited for a world tour and the triple-Grammy nominated GRP recording, ‘The Return of the Brecker Brothers’. The follow-up, 1994’s ‘Out of the Loop,’ was a double-Grammy winner.

In 1997, ‘Into the Sun’ (Concord), a recording featuring Randy’s impressions of Brazil, garnered Randy his first Grammy as a solo artist.

In 2001, Randy released ‘Hangin’ in the City’ (ESC), a solo project which introduced his alter-ego Randroid, a skirt chasing, cab driving ne’er do well, with lyrics and vocals by Randroid himself. This CD was especially well received in Europe, where Randy toured extensively with his own line-up.

Randy’s next CD for ESC Records, ’34th n’ Lex,’ won him his third Grammy for ‘Best Contemporary Jazz Album’ in 2003. In May of that year he toured Europe with his Quintet in support of the CD, and in the summer went back to Europe yet again with the Randy Brecker/Bill Evans Soulbop Band.
 The summer of 2003 culminated in the special headline appearance in Japan at the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival of the reunited Brecker Brothers.

2004 saw Randy touring Europe extensively as co-leader (with Bill Evans) of the band Soulbop. The WDR Big Band also celebrated Randy and his music that year in a performance at the Leverkusen Jazz Fest. The date was of special significance to Randy as it was the last time he played with his brother, who took ill shortly thereafter with a rare form of leukemia known as MDS.

In 2005, with Mike unable to travel to Russia for Brecker Brothers gigs booked there, Randy’s wife Ada sat in for the first time. Randy’s active schedule continued apace with the Randy Brecker Band performing throughout Eastern Europe and across the globe.

In 2007, Randy was awarded his fourth Grammy for “Randy Brecker Live with the WDR Big Band” (Telarc/BHM), the live recording (also available in DVD format) of his performance with Michael at the Leverkusen Jazz Fest in 2004.

Tragically, Michael passed away that same year on Jan 13th.

2007 also saw the release of a 2 CD set of live recordings of the band ‘Soulbop’ (BHM) featuring Dave Kikoski, Victor Bailey, Steve Smith or Rodney Holmes and the late great Hiram Bullock.

Randy returned to his long-time love of Brazilian music in 2008 for the album ‘Randy in Brazil,’ which was recorded in Sao Paulo with a full complement of great Brazilian musicians and released on Summit Records. Chosen one of the top 10 CDs of 2008 by AllAboutJazz.com, the CD won the Grammy for “Best Contemporary Jazz Album,” bringing his Grammy total to five.

A “Tribute to the Brecker Brothers” featuring Randy and recorded live at the Hamamatsu Jazz Festival in Japan with Yoichi Murata’s Solid Brass & Big Band was released by JVC Victor in Japan in late 2008.

And in 2009, Randy’s roots were celebrated with the release of ‘Jazz Suite Tykocin,’ a project initiated and conceived by the Polish pianist and composer Wlodek Pawlik, featuring Randy as a soloist with members of the Bialystok Philharmonic. Tykocin is the area in Poland where Randy’s ancestors (mother’s maiden name: Tecosky) hail from, a fact that Pawlik discovered while helping to search for a bone marrow donor for Michael.

2011 saw the release of ‘The Jazz Ballad Song Book: Randy Brecker with the Danish Radio Big Band and The Danish National Chamber Orchestra,’ which garnered 4 Grammy nominations and enjoyed enthusiastic critical acclaim. And in 2012, Sony Legacy recaptured history with the long-awaited boxed set, “The Brecker Brothers – The Complete Arista Albums Collection.”

A Brecker Brothers Band Reunion tour of European festivals in the summer of 2013 in support of Randy’s project, Randy Brecker’s Brecker Brothers Band Reunion,” re-introduced the familiar faces of Brecker Brothers Band members from the past and their special brand of music to sell-out crowds.

A dual-disc release, was released on September 25th, 2013 on Piloo Records. Randy Brecker’s Brecker Brothers Band Reunion” features a live DVD recorded at the Blue Note in NYC bundled with a new 11-song studio recording featuring members of the Brecker Brothers bands from throughout the years, including David Sanborn, Mike Stern, Will Lee, and Dave Weckl. George Whitty is back in the production and keyboard chair, and Randy’s Italian wife Ada Rovatti is in the ‘hot saxophone’ seat, keeping it in the family, on tenor and soprano saxophone. The new dual-disc recording was released in North America by Piloo Records/Magenta/E-One, in Europe by Moosicus Records in November and in Japan by Inpartmaint Inc.

A long time in the making, this project is very close to Randy Brecker’s heart. It is dedicated to his brother, Michael, and other departed Brecker Brothers Band members.

Also that same year, yet another project, a collaboration with Wlodek Pawlik trio and the Kalisz Philharmonic playing Wlodek’s “Night In Calisia” with Randy as featured soloist, netted Randy his 6thh Grammy!
Another recent Release: RandyPOP! 9/18/15 Piloo Records featuring new arrangements or ‘de-rangements’ by Kenny Werner of ‘Hit Tune’s Randy played on in the day feat: Kenny Werner, David Sanchez Adam Rogers, John Patitucci, Nate Smith, and special guest: Amanda Brecker!

NEW and Up and Coming Releases 2018- 2019-2021!
(1.)Randy Brecker with the NDR Big Band featuring 11 RB Compositions arranged by Jorg Achim-Keller. Feat Special Guests Dave Sanborn, Ada Rovatti and Wolfgang Haffner. Release date: Feb 23 rd 2019.
2.Featured Artist on CD by the UMO Jazz Orch (Helsinki) Comp and Arr by Mats Holmquist called Together (MAMA/Summit) released 9/18
3. Archival DVD Release!: Randy Brecker Quintet Live at Sweet Basil 1988 w/Bob Berg, Dave Kikoski, Dieter Ilg and Joey Baron! Some classic solos by the late great Bob Berg…wild! (MVD Visual) released 10/’18
4. “Brecker PlaysRovatti”..just recorded early May 2018..feat 10 Ada Rovatti new compositions feat: Randy Ada, David Kikoski, Alex Claffy, Rodney Holmes, Adam Rogers, Jim Beard and Café Came out Oct 30th to great reviews and currently moving up the JazzWeek most played charts…as of Jan 20 2020:#14! Up from #28

Releases 2020 and 2021!
Eric Marienthal and Randy Brecker on Shanachie Records! Released on Sept 11, 2020 Titled: Double Dealin’! w/George Whitty, john Patitucci & Dave Weckl. Nominated for a Grammy 2021!

Brecker Brothers Band Recorded Live and Unreleased 1980 in Germany.DeltaMusic/Piloo records 2 CD set

Liebman,Brecker,Copland,Gress,& Baron”Quint5t” InnervisionJazz.

Also Randy won his 7tth Grammy in Jan 2020 for his Solo on ‘Sozinho’ (Randy Brecker with the NDR BigBand “Rocks” and as stated above Double Dealin’ co–led with Eric Marienthal is nominated in the postponed until April 2022 Grammys in the Best Contemporary Album category!
And Randy came in FIRST on the 2020 JazzTimes Readers Poll on Trumpet!
Newest release in 2023: Randy Live at the Amazonas Green Jazz Fest with the Manaus Big Band and in January 2024 he just released a co-produced project with Ada Rovatti titled “The Hidden World Of Piloo”

As a composer, performer and in-demand Yamaha Artist and Clinician, Randy Brecker continues to influence and inspire young musicians around the world.

Rahsaan Barber is a saxophonist, composer, educator, and entrepreneur known for his versatility across jazz, blues, funk, classical, Latin, and more. A professor at UNC since 2020, he has performed worldwide with top artists. He leads jazz and Latin ensembles, runs Jazz Music City, and tours extensively while championing music education.

BIO

RAHSAAN BARBER has set out on a singular path of musical excellence in performance, composition, education, and entrepreneurship. In addition to working as a professor at The University of North Carolina since 2020, Rahsaan enjoys a performance career that encompasses an ever-expanding range of musical styles, including jazz, blues, funk, classical, fusion, soul, Latin, and world music. Rahsaan’s passionate, sincere, and studious approach to music-making has garnered professional appearances onstage alongside such heavyweights as Christian McBride, Brian Blade, the Temptations, Delfeayo Marsalis, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Duffy Jackson, Winard Harper, Kirk Franklin, Meghan Trainor and the Wooten Brothers. The saxophonist has performed on many of the world’s most prestigious stages for music including The Ryman, The Village Vanguard, Birdland, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Rahsaan joined the ranks of the nation’s rising jazz stars both as the leader of his own quintet, Everyday Magic, and as co-leader of the groundbreaking Nashville-based Latin-jazz septet El Movimiento.  Rahsaan has entered the ranks of the nation’s premier jazz artists following several celebrated releases, most recently including “Mosaic,” a double-disc collection of original works released in April of 2021, featuring trumpeter Nathan Warner and trombonist Roland Barber, Rahsaan’s twin brother.  Prior to the release of “Mosaic,” Barber received critical acclaim for “The Music In The Night” (2017) and “Everyday Magic,” (2011) both released on the saxophonist’s record label, Jazz Music City, which he founded to showcase his hometown’s (Nashville, TN) diverse and impressive musical talent.  In addition to his own jazz outfits, the saxophonist founded The Nashville Salsa Machine in 2016, a twelve-member ensemble featuring Music City’s most celebrated Latin music performers. Barber is also an in-demand saxophonist for recording sessions and touring work, most recently completing a year-long tour with pop icon Kelly Clarkson and multiple tours with Lauren Daigle. Barber has taught extensively at the collegiate level for well over a decade, including six years of instruction at Belmont University, where he began his collegiate teaching career as instructor jazz and classical saxophone, jazz ensembles, and commercial music styles at the age of twenty-five.   Barber has given masterclasses and concerts at numerous colleges and universities, including the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the University of Memphis, Lipscomb University, UNC-Pembroke, UNC-Wilmington, Indiana University, The University of Wisconsin (OshKosh), the University of Evansville, and many more. In addition, Rahsaan has served as Vice-President of the Tennessee Jazz and Blues Society and as a board member for the Nashville Jazz Workshop’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion panel.