Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Ernest “EC3 Coleman III was born a second generation musician in Naples, Italy on February 9, 1963 to Ernest and Rebecca Coleman. His father, Ernest Jr. was a jazz musician who played tenor saxophone and was a great arranger and composer.
He studied at the Naval Conservatory of Music in Norfolk, Virginia and was awarded a special honor for being the youngest student to graduate from this conservatory. Moving to Los Angeles, California after his tour with the Navy Band, EC began his true musical quest performing for Guys & Dolls, Ain’t Misbehavin, and A Chorus Line.
Getting the call to work with Loretta Holloway in Las Vegas, Nevada he opened for Jay Leno, Bill Cosby, David Brenner, Yakov Smirnoff, Whoopi Goldberg, Don Rickles and many many more. Coleman took over as Loretta’s musical director and traveled around the world. For twelve years.
He eventually got called to play with jazz bassist Al McKibbon. Excited to get the call, he auditioned and got booked for The Bourbon Street Review show. For three years this was his training ground. Al being like a second father to him, they lived together for many years and this was where he attained most of his great knowledge of music.
When the show closed Billy Higgins was there to offer EC work with saxophonist Azar Lawrence and for the next year and a half they were on the road. A move to Las Vegas, Nevada saw him working with Frank Sinatra’s pianist and conductor Vincent Falcone. Meeting jazz pianist Kevin Toney led him to play with Kevin bassist Brad Bobo.
He went on to work with Kenny Burrell, Russell Malone, Lorendo Alameida, Lorez Alexandria, John Clayton, George Cables, Herman Riley, Charlie Owens, Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Diahann Carroll, Pudgy, and the orchestras of Caesar Palace, Harrah’s Tahoe and Reno, and The Las Vegas Symphony.
Since then he embarked on a solo career as a leader, recording eight albums and producing thirteen records for Misha, Wendy C, Wendy B, Rayshun Lamarr, Zac Williams, Fabian, and Troy “Sol” Edler.
Drummer, producer and bandleader Ernest “EC3” Coleman continues to expand the language of his musical talent.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Chris Minh Doky was born on February 7, 1969 in Copenhagen, Denmark of Vietnamese-Danish heritage. He started playing at a young age and as a teenager was discovered by guitarist Mike Stern. He quickly became a sought-after collaborator, joining the bands of the Michael Brecker Quartet, Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and the Mike Stern Band. These collaborations shaped his artistry and connected him to the traditions of jazz.
As a leader, Chris has released numerous albums to widespread acclaim, earning both gold and platinum awards as well as a Grammy nomination. He has established himself as a pioneering voice in contemporary music with projects like The Nomads and New Nordic Jazz.
His passion is a love for the bass and a relentless drive to create new music. His desire to share it with the world pushes his artistry to transcend genres. As a composer Doky’s work include soundtracks for films and collaborations with the ballet companies of Royal Danish Ballet and Twyla Tharp.
Chris was knighted in 2010 by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark due to being recognized for his contributions to the arts. Bassist Chris Minh Doky continues to explore new musical landscapes, blending Nordic serenity with American soul, and redefining the bass as a solo instrument.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Jacqueline Caryl Dankworth was born on February 5, 1963 in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England to jazz singer Cleo Laine and saxophonist John Dankworth. She attended St. Christopher School in Hertfordshire and is an alumna and fellow of Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
She worked as an actress with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and in West End theatre. She played Cinderella in the musical Into the Woods and appeared in the film Shoreditch, singing the song My Man by Billie Holiday.
2003 saw Dankworth releasing her debut album As the Sun Shines Down On Me on Candid Records. This album brought her to the attention of Michael Parkinson and BBC Radio 2, and she appeared regularly on air throughout that year.
She was featured on Courtney Pine’s album Devotion, and performed with him at the Royal Festival Hall as part of the London Jazz Festival. Her sophomore album with the 2004 release, Detour Ahead. Since then she has recorded a total of seven albums.
She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to music. Vocalist Jacqui Dankworth continues to perform, tour and record.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Cindy Scott was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on February 3, 1966 into an extended family of musicians and educators. Her mother was a concert pianist, and her father played fifteen instruments and they were both band directors. She has two sisters who are musicians and educators, and her cousin, guitarist and teacher Charlie Hall founded the Black Rose Acoustic Society in Colorado Springs and Colorado Roots Music Camp.
She received a music scholarship by Louisiana State University and played flute and piccolo in the wind ensemble while earning a degree in German. She later earned a Masters in International Business from the University of South Carolina. Scott embarked on a corporate career while continuing to perform and study music. 2005 saw Cindy dedicating herself fully to her musical pursuits and enrolled in the Jazz Studies program at the University of New Orleans.
Although Scott spent many years working in the corporate world, she always had one foot in the music world as a performer, bandleader, and student of the music. She recorded her first album Major to Minor in Houston, Texas in 2001 and released it the following year. She would go on to record a total of albums as a leader, eight as a sideperson and has produced two albums to date.
Cindy has held the position of Associate Professor of Music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts since 2016 and is also the Director of Berklee’s Vocal Summit.
Vocalist Cindy Scott, who also plays the guitar and flute, continues to teach at camps and workshops around the world in addition to her performing and touring.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Gene Lake was born Oliver Gene Lake, Jr. on January 12, 1966 in St. Louis, Missouri. He began playing drums when he was five years old, and took lessons with Pheeroan akLaff as a high schooler at The High School of Music & Art in New York City. He attended Berklee College of Music, where he worked with Tommy Campbell, and played in local Boston bands in a variety of styles.
Gene played with his father in New York City in 1987 and 1988, then joined Henry Threadgill’s ensemble in 1990. Later in the Nineties, Gene worked with Steve Coleman, Lunar Crush with David Fiuczynski and John Medeski, Marcus Miller, Brandon Ross, David Sanborn, the World Saxophone Quartet, and Joe Zawinul.
He has recorded seven albums as a leader that includes The Oliver Lake Quartet, Dedication, and At This Time and another ten as a sideman. Outside of jazz, Lake also performed and recorded with R&B musicians Maxwell and Me’Shell Ndegeocello.
Drummer Gene Lake, who is the son of saxophonist Oliver Lake, continues to perform and record.
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