MICHELA MARINO LERMAN & RUSSELL HALL QUARTET
Michela Marino Lerman, recipient of the Hoofer Award and Flo-Bert Award, is a world-renowned tap dance artist, performer, choreographer, band leader, educator and all-around creative spirit dedicated to the bridging the gap between tap dance and jazz music and the inclusivity of tap being recognized as music. The Huffington Post has called her a “hurricane of rhythm” and the NY Times has called her both a “prodigy” and has described her dancing as “flashes of brilliance.” Quincy Jones has said she is an “absolute tap dancing star who knows her roots.” She very proudly, was mentored by some of the innovators of tap dance including Gregory Hines, Buster Brown, Leroy Myers, Peg Leg Bates, Marion Coles, Jeni LeGon and Mable Lee. Most recently Michela can be seen featured in the new US Postage Stamp series dedicated to the art form of Tap Dance. Michela has had the honor of working with and collaborating many master artists throughout her career some of whom include Wynton Marsalis, Anna Deavere Smith, Roy Hargrove, Jon Batiste, Quincy Jones, Steve McQueen and many more. www.michelataps.com @michelataps
Whether it’s a swanky, sophisticated jazz club or a boozy, bombastic rock joint, one thing is for certain, Russell Hall is bringing the party with him wherever he goes. Born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Miami, Florida, Russell has been playing and recording music since the tender age of 13. He furthered his study of music at the most prestigious conservatory in the world, The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Ben Wolfe, Ron Carter and Wynton Marsalis. He is currently a preeminent bassist in New York City where his session and freelance work has allowed him to work in virtually every facet of the New York music scene.
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NAPOLEON DOUGLAS
Nap Sings Nat: A Night of Nat King Cole w/ Vocalist Napoleon Douglas & His Band
An actor, teaching artist, and entrepreneur who has performed in stage theater, film, commercials, voice over, instrumental music, dance, and vocal music. Douglas has also performed for both Inauguration Parades for President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden. He has a BA in Theatre Arts from Drake University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Southern New Hampshire University. His theatrical credits include Dreamgirls, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Superior Donuts.
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JIM FERGUSON
Having had a long career in the Nashville music industry as both vocalist and bassist, in 1999 Jim returned to his roots and released his first jazz CD, Not Just Another Pretty Bass, a quartet with saxophonist Chris Potter, pianist Pat Coil, and drummer Jim White. That was followed by Deep Summer Music with the same lineup with the exception of pianist Stefan Karlsson, and Haunted Heart, a duo recording with the master guitarist Mundell Lowe.
Some of the many artists Jim has performed and/or recorded with include Teddy Wilson, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Marian McPartland, Jay McShann, Steve Allen, Bob Dorough, Clark Terry, Red Rodney, Nat Adderley, , Tim Hagans, Randy Brecker, Terell Stafford, Chris Potter, Bob Mintzer, Joel Frahm, Eric Alexander, Benny Golson, Benny Goodman, Lee Konitz, Jimmy Heath, Lew Tabackin, Ira Sullivan, Eddie Daniels, Bill Watrous, Urbie Green, John Pizzarelli, Jr., Kenny Burrell, Jimmy Raney, Lorne Lofsky, Lenny Breau, Howard Alden, Gene Bertoncini, Martin Taylor, Ed Soph, Harold Jones,Bernard Purdie, Louie Bellson, Duffy Jackson, Jackie and Roy, Al Jarreau, and Joe Williams.
For nearly 30 years, Joel Frahm has lived in New York City, working in jazz clubs, collaborating with other musicians, and honing his craft. His bold, inventive tenor sound has won fans in the U.S. and across the world. He has worked alongside Betty Carter, Kenny Barron, Freddy Cole, Dianne Schuur, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit, Bill Charlap, Brad Mehldau, Matt Wilson, Cyrille Aimee, and many other top artists. He has played as a leader or sideman on more than 100 recordings and has appeared at jazz festivals in the United States, Europe, Israel, Canada and South America. In addition to his work as a performer, he has taught jazz classes in clinics at the University of North Carolina, the University of Connecticut, New York University, Wichita State University, the University of North Texas, Baylor University, Colorado State University, Furman University, the University of Toronto, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the University of Manitoba and others. He also has worked at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation program; the Sant Andreu Youth Jazz Orchestra in Barcelona, Spain; the Dave Brubeck Institute in Stockton, California; the Center for Jazz Studies at the Israel Conservatory in Tel Aviv; the Czech Jazz Workshop in Prague; and the Siena Jazz Workshop in Italy.
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JACK MACKLIN TRIO
For a thoughtful artist like Macklin, who will research and connect with a project before debuting the final product, this is a liberating experience to connect with a band on a deep level. There is a sense of spontaneity, and discovery whenever this group sets foot on the bandstand.
During his time in Chicago, Macklin has been heralded by WGN Chicago, Chicago Reader magazine, and Chicago Jazz Magazine for his continuous work to push the music forward, and manifest a community around the Trio. Macklin is thrilled to share his developments with his trio, and expand upon his goal of creating a band that goes beyond genres to connect with the audience on a personal level, to have a compelling experience that leaves the listener wanting more.
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THE BLUE NOTE QUINTET
Blue Note Records is celebrating its 85th Anniversary with a tour starring The Blue Note Quintet – a group brought together to honor the label’s rich history and pave the way for the eclectic artists of today’s roster. Gerald Clayton leads the band as Musical Director and pianist. Rounding out the group are vibraphonist Joel Ross, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer.
Six-time Grammy-nominated pianist, composer and bandleader Gerald Clayton earned recent recognition for 2023’s Happening: Live at the Village Vanguard. Collaborating with such distinctive artists as Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, Terence Blanchard, John Scofield, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gretchen Parlato and the legendary Charles Lloyd, Clayton currently serves as Director of Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.
Joel Ross continues refining an expression true to his sound and his generation. In 2019, the vibraphonist-composer issued his anticipated debut, Edison Award-winning KingMaker to eruptive critical acclaim. His 2020 release Who Are You? features his band Good Vibes at their most synchronous. New York Times praised the album for the ways it “speaks to a new level of group cohesion… more tangle, more sharing, more possibility.”
The music of saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins is filled with empathy and conviction. Listeners were introduced to this riveting sound with his acclaimed debut album Omega, named the #1 Jazz Album of 2020 by The New York Times. His second album, The 7th Hand, explores relationships between presence and nothingness across an hour-long suite.
Kendrick Scott was born in Houston. By age 8 he had taken up the drums and he later attended Houston’s renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. While still attending HSPVA, Scott won several student awards. He was later awarded a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music. Scott has toured with Herbie Hancock, Charles Lloyd, The Crusaders, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Elling, and Terence Blanchard.
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