JOHN YARLING

John Yarling studied classical percussion at Florida State University and jazz performance at the University of Miami. He has taught music and percussion at North Broward Preparatory Schools and founded the percussion program at the Florida Youth Conservatory.

A versatile and sought-after drummer, John has performed with top South Florida acts including Ira Sullivan, the Inter-Outer Continental Quintet, South Florida Jazz Orchestra, Brian Murphy Trio, Nicole Yarling 4-Tet, and more. Comfortable in jazz, blues, funk, and rock, his past collaborations include legends such as Mose Allison, Sonny Stitt, Nat Adderley, Mike Stern, Larry Coryell, and Mick Taylor. His recording credits feature artists like Ira Sullivan, Curtis Fuller, Joe Williams, and Pink.

Cover: Member ~ $33.85 | General Admission ~ $44.52

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KENNY BANKS JR.

Pianist Kenny Banks Jr., a resident of Atlanta, GA has earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic jazz artists in the Southeast. Kenny was a finalist in the 2019 American Pianists Awards jazz competition and performed to great acclaim in solo and trio formats.

He has traveled abroad performing and recording around the world with a wide variety of artists in the jazz, gospel, Afro-Cuban and hip-hop scenes. These artists include Kurt Elling, Keyon Harrold, Jazzmeia Horn, Theo Croker, Jeff Tain Watts, Stefan Harris, Russell Malone, Gerald Albright, Charlie Hunter, Jennifer Holliday, David Sanchez, Kim Burrell, Dottie Peoples, Phiife from “A Tribe Called Quest”, Eight Ball & MJG and Queen Latifah.

Banks is noted for his blended technique in mixing jazz and gospel styles. Downbeat Magazine describes his playing as “gospel and blues-infused” and calls his arrangements “thrilling, modern and surprising.” Jazziz Magazine notes his “deeply embodied gospel and soul roots” with “supple phrasing and effortless command of late 20th century harmony.”

Kenny Banks Jr expresses himself compositionally from a broad range of music. KJO’s Live at Lucille’s states, “His music is at once sophisticated, spirited, spontaneous and brilliantly executed.” “Embrace the sound” says Kenny. “This way of thinking aids me in my approach, helping me to view situations from a state of optimism, on and off the bandstand.”

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HIDDEN NOMINATION

Hidden Nomination is a genre-defying ensemble that emerged from the lustrous Blue Llama Jazz Club after a particularly electrifying set. The band has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the Midwest music scene and brings together four exceptionally talented musicians with a shared passion for exploration and innovation.

Their sound is a thrilling fusion of jazz, funk, R&B, gospel, and neo-soul, creating a sonic tapestry that is as soulful as it is dynamic. With high-energy performances and delicate, melodic interplay, Hidden Nomination captivates audiences, taking them on a journey that transcends traditional genre boundaries. The band’s philosophy is rooted in the pursuit of the unseen and the unheard—always searching for what lies hidden beneath the surface of music and emotion.

Recently completing a celebrated residency at Cliff Bell’s, one of Detroit’s most iconic jazz clubs, Hidden Nomination has solidified its reputation as a must-see live act. Their ability to blend technical mastery with raw, heartfelt expression has earned them a dedicated following and critical acclaim. As they prepare to record their debut album in summer of 2025, the band is poised to share their unique sound with an even wider audience.

The Band:

Houston Patton ~ saxophone

Andre Crawford ~ piano

Dylan Sherman ~ bass

Brian Allen ~ drums

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TIFFANY GRIDIRON TRIO

Tiffany Gridiron is a gifted jazz vocalist and songwriter whose sultry vocals and playful approach have excited audiences around the world. She began singing as a child in her family church, but was particularly inspired by singer Jill Scott before being introduced to the poetry and improvisation of jazz through vocalist and educator Sunny Wilkinson.

Tiffany has recorded five CDs of jazz standards, released by Sony Records Japan, that feature such musical greats as Hank Jones, Tadataka Unno, Omar Hakim, and many others. In September of 2023, Tiffany released on all digital platforms, her most personal album to date with friend, producer, trumpeter and arranger Kris Johnson. Five of the album’s eight songs feature lyrics penned by Gridiron and co-composed by Johnson, with Brendon Davis (piano), Jonathan Muir-Cotton (bass), Nate Winn (drums), and Vivienne Smith (background vocals) also adding their beautiful artistry to this material.

The Performers:
Tiffany Gridiron: Vocals | Aya Sekine: Piano | Sam Corey: Bass

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CHRISTIAN SANDS

The Steinway Artist and Grammy Nominee is an emerging jazz force. His abundant piano technique perfectly matches his conception, accomplishing a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz.  Christian says, “My music is about teaching the way of jazz and keeping it alive.”  Whether it’s stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian or Afro-Cuban, Sands develops the past while providing unusual and stimulating vehicles for the present… and for the future.  He expresses himself through an extensive vocabulary of patterns, textures and structures, all the while maintaining a strong sense of understatement, sensitivity, taste and swing — hallmarks for as long as he has been playing.

From a very early age, Christian possessed an insatiable appetite for music.  He was enrolled in music classes at age 4 and wrote his first composition at age 5.  He started playing professionally at the age of 10, and studied at the Neighborhood Music School and the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, CT.  He received his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees from the Manhattan School of Music.  For his participation on the MSM “Kenya Revisited” album, Sands received a Grammy Nomination for Best Latin Piano Solo.

Since arriving on the scene, Sands has shared the stage with many jazz luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Diane Reeves, Shelia E, Warren Wolf, Tia Fuller, Gary Burton, Stefan Harris, Teri Lynne Carrington, Jason Moran, Geri Allen, James Moody, Bill Evans (sax), Russell Malone, Terrance Blanchard, Louis Hayes, Patti Austin, Kurt Elling and Dee Dee Bridgewater.  He served as the Creative Ambassador for the Erroll Garner foundation, Artist in Residence for Jazz in July Education program at University of Massachusetts, Artist in Residence for Monterey Jazz Festival for 2020-2022 – he was the Creative Director for the ‘Monterey Festival Band on Tour’ 2022-2023.

Christian provides a soulful melodic touch on S. Epatha Merkerson’s documentary, “Contradictions of Fairhope,” a soundtrack recorded with McBride and a melodic piano introduction to Netflix’s Biopic documentary “Rustin” of which he recorded with Branford Marsalis.  He was named one of the future rising stars by Wynton Marsalis in Jet Magazine.  Vanity Fair’s “Jazz Youth-Quake” also named him as a future jazz star.  He was finalist for the 2015 Cole Porter Jazz Fellowship Award sponsored by the America Pianist Association.

Just embarking on his 30s, Sands has already enjoyed a remarkable career trajectory including a 2013 Grammy nomination with renowned Bassist Christian McBride and 2021 Grammy Nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Composition and 52nd Annual NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Jazz Album Instrumental for his third album “Be Water” recording for Mack Avenue Records.

His music has taken him to many international stages.  In 2023 he received Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, rank of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, from France Minister of Culture.

The Band:

Christian Sands – bandleader, pianist

Ryan Sands – Drummer

Gilad Hekelsman – Guitar

Scott Colley – Bass

Cover: $40.61 ~ $50.91 | Including Fees

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