JON BAUER QUARTET

Jonathan Bauer is a multi-talented trumpeter, singer and composer, most notably of the Grammy award-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. In 2019, he burst onto the scene with his highly acclaimed debut album, “Walk Don’t Run.” Jonathan returns with his sophomore release, “Sings and Plays”, introducing him self to the world as part of the rich lineage of trumpeters who front their bands as singers.

 An internationally recognized and touring artist, Jonathan is widely celebrated for his dark and buttery sound. While earning his Master’s at the University of New Orleans, Jonathan quickly became arising talent in one of the world’s most important musical communities. He has had the opportunity to study and perform with living legends Nicholas Payton, Robert Glasper, Ellis Marsalis and Wendell Brunious among others. A versatile musician, Jonathan enthusiastically crosses genres performing with R&B titans, such as Sheila E., Ledisi, and Eric Benét.

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MIKE VAX QUINTET FEATURING DENNIS ROWLAND

Mike Vax played with Art Pepper, Freddie Hubbard, Clark Terry, and the Glen Miller and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras. But he is acclaimed as the first trumpet and co-leader of the historic “ahead of its time” Stan Kenton Orchestra and the ongoing Stan Kenton Alumni Band.

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PAUL MUTZABAUGH

Paul Mutzabaugh is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Chicago. Over the past 20 years, he has worked consistently in a wide range of musical styles with a variety of notable artists and ensembles, including: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Heather Headley, Jason Robert Brown, Rufus Wainwright, Mannheim Steamroller, Robbie Fulks, Miguel Zenón, Spektral Quartet, John Elmquist’s HardArt Groop, and the Charles Heath Quartet.

Paul also leads his own ensemble, The Unknown New – equal parts instrumental folk and chamber jazz – for which he composes all of the material. Additionally, he has earned Grammy and Emmy nominations as an audio engineer and producer.

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THE ABNEY EFFECT

Chicago born and raised jazz trumpeter Mario Abney now of New Orleans fuses traditional and extended trumpet techniques in a most inventive way; his strikingly personal instrumental vision endows the music with an infinite array of tonal color. Recognized for his ability to create pure musical dialog, and hear music in a universally spiritual way, he is definitely one of New Orleans most pioneering young jazz musicians.

Marioʼs first experience hearing jazz was the music of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. After jazz trumpet peaked his interest in music Mario began to absorb the music of Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and all the great trumpeters who pioneered the music.

With a band scholarship in hand, Mario attended Central State University, Ohio, majoring in Music Education with a minor in jazz studies. “During my college years I became involved in the jazz scene in Dayton playing trumpet in several professional ensembles such as the Afro-Cuban Jazz ensemble, Babalu, the Chicago based House of Twang, The Afro-Rican Ensemble, SYM, and several other ensembles. I

n 2001, after several years of playing as a side man Abney was inspired to lead his own Quintet. During a performance at the Dayton RiverWalk festival in 2007 Mario became interested in going to New Orleans after hearing the Hot 8 Brass Band perform. By spring of 2008 Abney and two members from his quintet moved to New Orleans to absorb its rich musical culture and become part of the music scene.

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GHOST NOTE

Headed by Snarky Puppy’s multi-Grammy–winning percussion duo of Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth, Ghost-Note is an explosion of sound. With an expansive roster of next-level musicians—representing members of Prince, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar, Marcus Miller, Toto, Justin Timberlake, and more—the band is pushing funk music into the future, building on the uplifting, pioneering foundations laid out by the likes of James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone and infusing their fresh take with tastes of afrobeat, hip-hop, psychedelia, world folklore, and more.

With the release of 2018’s Swagism, Ghost-Note has made their mission clear. The album puts rhythm at the forefront, with irresistible, heavy-hitting beats underlying the group’s wild, rich music. Featuring numerous guest collaborators, including Kamasi Washington, Karl Denson, Bobby Sparks, Nigel Hall, Taz, and others, Swagism showcases the band’s stunning ability to meld and amplify sounds, ultimately adding to Ghost-Note’s sharp, complex collaborations.

Fearless, both in Swagism’s sonic depth and conscious social commentary, the band easily translates this adventurousness in a live setting. Ghost-Note’s live performances are bold and in your face, with the group offering up none of the tight-laced pretenses frequently associated with the band’s jazz roots. Focused on creating seductive danceable grooves and a contagious feel-good energy, each show is an opportunity to let loose and connect, for both fans and the musicians alike.

After forming in 2015, Ghost-Note has already begun to take the world by storm. The group’s two studio albums—2018’s Swagism and 2015’s Fortified—have earned critical acclaim and popular success around the globe, with both albums hitting the #1 spot on the iTunes Jazz Charts. Furthermore, the ever-growing family of musicians has mounted successful headlining tours in the United States, Canada, and Japan and performed at high-profile international music festivals and events.

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