Mario's Place: Calendar of Events

Katherine Prouse comes from a very musical family. she began singing at a very early age when her father was pastoring a small church in Riverside, CA. Her Father, Steve Prouse, is a very gifted pianist himself and introduced Katherine to vocalists such as the Carpenters, Linda Rondstadt and Barbara Streisand. She quickly gravitated to jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone.

Katherine began singing professionally at the age of 27 (November 2001). Heavily influenced by such incredible Jazz vocalists such as Diana Krall, Etta James and Casandra Wilson, she sang every weekend in coffee shops, restaurants and bars in Orange County, Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. She gained recognition for winning the "Best Jazz" award at the 2003 Orange County Music Awards.

Katherine is growing more mature and confident as a Jazz vocalist. She has a deep appreciation for the music of the 20's, 30's, and 40's. Jazz seems to be taking all new forms and shapes in today's musical climate. Katherine really enjoys bringing back the romance of the standards, and also the aesthetics of the time period.

Brief Biography

The Marc Why Group is an Orange County-based jazz quartet specializing in performing modern jazz and modern renditions of classic jazz standards. Led by psychologist Dr. Marc Ybaben, the Group likes to “set the mood” at their performances by providing audiences with high-quality, creative, and exciting jazz. Since the release of their album, “Keep Me in Mind,” they have won the “Best Jazz Artist” and “Best Instrumental Music” prizes at the 2005 and 2007 Orange County Music Awards, respectively.

Complete Biography

The Marc Why Group is an Orange County-based jazz quartet specializing in performing modern jazz and modern renditions of classic jazz standards.

The MYG was formed in 2003 when Southern California psychologist Dr. Marc Ybaben had the vision of playing in a jazz combo that focused on “something different” while providing audiences with high-quality, creative, and exciting jazz.

“Jazz bands run a similar risk as do symphony orchestras,” Marc stated in a recent interview. “That is, if they play just ‘the same old stuff’ that audiences know, the music gets dull and the audience eventually gets bored. There needs to be a mix of old and new, classic and cutting edge, to keep both the audience and musicians interested and wanting to hear more.” This unique philosophy sets The MYG apart, and brings an excitement to every performance. In a typical show, audiences hear a range of songs from classic composers like Gershwin, Jobim and Miles Davis, all the way to modern greats: John Scofield, Dave Holland and John Moulder. From the response at performances, the mix works.

In 2005 The MYG released its debut CD, Keep Me in Mind, which was recorded locally at the Headway Music Complex in Orange County. The recording earned them the distinction of “Best Jazz Artist” of the year in the 2005 Orange County Music Awards! In November 2006 they were one of the Top Finalists in the FedEx/EarCandy Cabs “Battle of the Bands,” and were actually the only jazz group to make the Finals! Now this year, they recently won in the “Best Instrumental Music” category for the OCMA!

Since the first OCMA recognition, The MYG has been sought out for numerous public and private performances throughout Southern California, including clients/venues such as: The Red Chair Lounge, Tivoli Terrace, The Laguna Playhouse, Seven Degrees Art Gallery, The Long Beach Museum of Art, and the Coachhouse Theatre, where they have opened for world-renowned jazz greats Chuck Mangione and Larry Carlton, as well as progressive-rock gods The Tony Levin Band!

Elements Bio

ELEMENTS is quickly becoming one of the "HOTTEST" contemporary Jazz bands on the scene today. Made up of some of the most in demand musicians of our time. Elements has created a style and sound that is all their own. Fusing Traditional Jazz,R&B,Latin and Brazilian Rhythms to Funk and the heart of American music, Soul.From their "smooth as silk” rhythm section to their "tight punchy" horn section Elements is sure to make your Corporate event or Private function the talk of the town!

THE BAND: Gary"BigDog"Stanionis (Drums), Jason Basoco (Trumpet), Chris Thomas (Keys), Patrick Langford (Sax), Danny Rodriguez (Guitar), Michael James (Bass), C.G. Ryche (Percussion).

Some of the artist the band and it's members have performed with: Flora Purim (Brazilian legend), Aretha Franklin, Arturo Sandoval, David Garfield, Tito Puente, Airto Moreira, Bonnie Raite, Ellis Marsalis to name a few.

Festivals and Tours include a World tour with famed Flamenco guitarist Benise and a European tour to entertain our troups, Luxembourg Jazz Festival, T.R.A.P Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Warped Tour, Gardena Jazz Festival, a Tour of Hawaii and the famed Montreux Jazz Festival.

Studio and movie scores/sound tracks include extensive work for The Disney Channel, MTV, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Visa and Target. Award winning scores for: The PBS documentary called "Yard People" and "The Machines of Sex and Death”, Mighty Ducks 3, Heaven Always and the Exorcism. Thank You and Enjoy the Elements!!!!!!!!!

Tony Palkovic - Guitar
Kofi Baker - Drums
Ric Fierabracci - Bass
Hans Zemhuelen - Keyboards

TONY PALKOVIC has been playing the guitar since the age of twelve and he has been a jazz guitarist/composer for over 27 years. TONY has been praised by the prestigiuos Guitar Player Magazine and his albums have been heard in the U.S. and in other countries. He has played in concert halls, clubs and festivals headlining and also sharing the bill with artists from Jeff Lorber with Kenny G to Richard Elliott to the legendary Weather Report. He has appeared on the BET television network.

ESOTERIC is the name of TONY's new album. On the AP label. It features pianist/keyboard genious PATRICK MORAZ (REFUGEE,YES and THE MOODY BLUES) and sax player KRYS MACH (best known for his work with LEVEL 42).

Tony hosts his own jazz radio show which is heard in the Greater Los Angeles/Southern California area. The show features guest interviews and live performances. Heard on 88.7 FM. http://www.kspc.org

Nichole Preuss is a contemporary vocalist with a love for the Great American Songbook. Her vocal styles include the great jazz standards, blues tunes, and rhythmic Bossa Novas. Nichole is steadily gaining recognition as a unique song stylist. She has a special way of working with the material and her love for the music shines through. Nichole is fortunate to come from a very musical family. Her mother and father are both very talented vocalists. As result her childhood was filled with an abundance of music. Her current favorite vocalists and influences are Rosemary Clooney, Diana Krall, Peggy Lee, and KD Lang. Nichole is comfortable in both duo and groups environments and is continually adding to her repertoire. She performs regularly at various nightspots in the Inland Empire and Orange County areas.

Al Meyers began studying and performing on the guitar at age 12. Self taught in the beginning and fortune enough to find a couple of good teachers along the way. Al’s first love has always been the great songs of George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, and many others. Although able to perform many different styles, Al has endeavored to emulate the finger style guitar playing of the legendary Joe Pass. Early on Al was greatly influenced by the amazing Les Paul but primarily plays with a traditional jazz sound. Al performs in duo and group settings. He is however no stranger to solo guitar playing and has recorded acoustic guitar for Calvary Chapel Music. A proficient recordist himself, Al has recorded his works as well as with many others. Performing sometimes in instrumental groups, Al particularly enjoys working with vocalist. He always strives to compliment the performance.

www.myspace.com/shoppy

Shoppy, the explosive trio from Riverside, California, began
their meteoric rise in the summer of 2000. Formed by multi-talented
singer, rapper and drummer Chad Villarreal and Bassist Matt wyckoff,
Shoppy's inventive blend of Rock, Rap, Funk, Jazz and Groove-oriented
music was well on its way to breaking music genres. The group was
rounded out by virtuoso muscian and multi-instrumentalist Gabe
Hartman. Hartman, who completes the band's unique sound with his
fierce and dynamic sax, keyboard, and even occasional flute playing,
already had success sans Shoppy, touring North America and Latin
America for two years as a sax and guitar player for BMG Recording
artist Marisela.

Just a year after Shoppy's inception, the band entered a contest
at a local radio station 103.9 - the prize - the coveted spot of
playing at Riverside's Orange Blossom Festival. Battling it out amoung fierce competition, Shoppy reigned supreme over more than 300 bands,
winning the competition. Bringing their funk-fueled hybrid rock to
40,000 sweaty concert-goers, Shoppy gained immense notoriety and
fan-base that day, sharing the stage with the legendary New Wave act
Berlin, amoung others. The Performance at Orange Blossom Caught the
eyes and ears of KROQ, the largest and most influential Modern Rock
station in all of North America. KROQ gave Shoppy an opportunity that
most bands would kill for - a chance to play their famous Inland
Invasion concert in 2001, exposing the band to an even wider and
hungrier audience. The Orange Blossom Comittee was so impressed with
Shoppy's quick successes, that the band was invited back to play the
festival each year since.

Shoppy has gone on to record two ground-breaking EP's - the
self-titled Shoppy and Hotcakes, as well as one full-length album,
Welcome To Antarctica, which has a four star rating and is selling
hand-to-fist at Inland Empire Music and music stores alike, and the
newest CD, Mojo, is a jam inspired EP making waves with shoppy fans
new and old.

Expanding on their energetic and whimsical originals, Shoppy
continues to draw out an ever-increasing fan-base at their dynamic
live shows, featuring fantastic renditions of Shoppy classics as well
as cutting up some hits like Insane in the Brain by Cypress Hill.
Shoppy has also shared bills with an impressive array of noteworthy
acts that include Weezer, Long Beach Dub Allstars, Incubus, Alien Ant
Farm, the Offspring, The Color Red, and Social Distortion.

Known for not resting on their musical laurels, Shoppy continues
to push itself sonically and professionally, even playing as Norwood
Fisher's (Fishbone) back-up band, Trulio Disgracias, sharing the stage
with members of the Skeletones, Weapon Of Choice, Parliament
Funkadelic, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, an evniable position to any
hard-working muscian out there. Shoppy continues to thrive and endure.
Shoppy's five song EP release 'Mojo' is now available at all shoppy
shows.

Cross-Effect has an ambitious goal. Their quest is to become “The Beatles of Jazz.” Having been together since January 1997, Cross-Effect has a style that is uniquely their own, neo-soul/jazz.

The ambitious style touches all formats of instrumental music, and this propels them beyond the limits of a traditional jazz combo.

Shawn Jones began winning over audiences with his unique blend of exceptional singing, songwriting, and guitar playing at a very young age. Shawn has become a popular fixture in the California Southland and in Nashville, with forays as far a field as Europe.

Most recently, Shawn has been playing lead guitar for his long-time friend and superstar Deana Carter. He was featured artist on CMT’s website under their independent artist section, “New voices, no cover” where Shawn and his mates performed a live in studio session of three songs. The videos can be viewed at http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/jones__shawn/artist.jhtml

Shawn’s third album project, appropriately titled, “All In Good Time”, was completed in the fall, 2005 with Grammy winning producer/engineer David Z. In June/July 2004, Shawn played for international troops at military bases in Iraq, and the Balkans in support of World Peace and Freedom. Shawn Jones hit the road in May/June 2005 on a one-month tour of live performances and BBC radio spots in the Republic of Ireland and UK.

The Seventh Avenue was formed in February of 2001, when five people met to jam for just one hour. Everyone there felt something magical happening.

After that session they were determined to keep that magic alive. The instantaneous chemistry pushed each member to prepare for their up and coming show at Chapman University. The show was a total success filled with soulful harmonies, jazzy chords, and funky rhythms from the past and present. It was official!

Following the success of their first show, the Seventh Avenue (also known for their musical therapy) went on to perform in different cities like: Fontana—at the Cedar House Recovery Center and Sierra Lakes; Redlands—Jazz & Java; San Bernardino— Westside Pit Restaurant, Patton State Hospital; the Natural Sciences Commencement for the past five years at California State University at San Bernardino; Summertime Concerts; Homeless Care Fare for the community of San Bernardino, Costco Wholesale annual party, and Ray’s Downtown Deli. The group has also made collaborative efforts over seas in Bosnia and Korea; Ontario— Phi-Beta parties at the Double Tree Hotel, Compton—Unity Festival (sharing the stage with the memorable bands like Tierra, Cameo and Lakeside), Riverside— The Downtown Supper Club.

Vocally lead by Lisa Maguinez, Tameron Ginae and Carles Abraham, directively lead by Gary Henderson, deeply under toned by the bassing of Paul Henderson, and glued together by powerful drumming of Harold Allen Jr. The Seventh Avenue is a band lead by the inspiration music.

Hip Pocket, featuring nine of the Inland Empire's most accomplished jazz musicians, is led by composer-arranger and long-time Redlands resident Sandy Megas. The group, which has been described as " a perfect marriage of the full sound of a big band with the spontaneity of a combo," will be performing original material as well as jazz classics. Hip Pocket utilizes an atypical combination of four saxes, one trumpet and trombone plus a rhythm section of piano, bass and drums. This allows the band to deliver the full density of jazz harmony and orchestral color without the weight of the more traditional big band, all the while maintaining the soloists freedom to stretch and explore.

Having been together since 1991, Hip Pocket has played many of the major venues in the Inland Empire and has backed some of the true legends of jazz, including Bill Perkins, Frank Strazzeri, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Shew, Gabe Baltazar, and others. Live recordings of the group can be heard on the "Sounds" page of http://www.redlandsjazz.com/, and additional examples of the works of Sandy Megas are found at http://www.arrmegas.net/.

There is no cover charge to hear this professional jazz group, and the music begins at 10:00 PM, continuing until 1:00 AM on on Saturday, February 17th. Mario's Place has long been one of the top restaurants in the Inland Empire, featuring exquisite Italian dishes, fine wines, and impeccable service. If you like straightahead, swinging jazz, this event is a must!

Peter Curtis is a guitarist, composer and singer. He has performed or recorded with notable jazz musicians including Claudia Acuna, Lynn Arriale, Seamus Blake, Don Braden, James Carter, Freddy Cole, Taj Mahal, and James Moody. He has performed on Black Entertainment Television, top LA jazz clubs and in Carnegie Hall. He has performed throughout Europe including appearances at A- Trane in Berlin, Sounds in Brussels, The Jazz Garden in Budapest, Jazz Club in Florence, Der Regentenkammer in the Hague, Jumpin’ Jazz Ballroom in Milan, Studio Des Islettes in Paris, Reduta in Prague and The Gig in Zurich.

With his group, the Peter Curtis Quartet, he recently released his debut album Swing State, which is available at cdbaby.com. Here are some quotes about this recording:
“This guitar-vibes-bass-drums quartet initially reminds one of the Red Norvo-Tal Farlow-Charles Mingus vibes-guitar-bass trio of 1950. However Peter Curtis' group is more modern than that and not derivative of any past models. Curtis sometimes sounds a bit like Django Reinhardt while, for contrast, he occasionally adopts a rockish style, as on a humorous rendition of Thelonious Monk's "Four in One." Vibraphonist Eldad Tarmu is closer to Bobby Hutcherson than to Norvo while bassist Jiro Platscow and drummer Richard Weller are swinging and supportive of the lead voices. The fluency, constant creativity, and versatility of Curtis and Tarmu are quite impressive as is the range of compositions, which includes a jam on "What Is This Thing Called Love" ("The Thing"), a tango, an introspective ballad reading by Curtis on "My Foolish Heart," and some eccentric bebop. While the music is often boppish, it is full of surprises and unexpected left turns. Highly recommended.”
~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

“The 11-song collection exploits Curtis' limber fingers and knack for spidering up and down the fret board. Any fan of jazz guitar will dig this one.” The Press Enterprise

"Peter Curtis puts a lot of thought and a lot of heart into his playing and writing. He has a beautiful sound, particularly on the acoustic guitar where his classical training comes through even in this jazz context. Also, the rhythm section supports the music tastefully and soulfully. I really enjoyed this CD" Mike Stern

“Peter’s songs and playing jump right out at you. Each tune has a unique personality of its own and with the use of a beautifully recorded classical guitar and some electric (with occasional devices) playing, the improvising is equally strong and creative and a joy; the whole band is great!” Gene Bertoncini

As a classical guitarist Peter has given recitals in cities in the U.S. and Canada and was awarded the Andres Segovia memorial scholarship from the Banff Centre for the Arts. Some of his arrangements for classical guitar have been performed by guitarists as far abroad as Australia.

He received his Bachelor of Music degree Magna Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music, a Masters of Music degree from Yale University, and a Doctor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance and Literature with minor fields in Ethnomusicology and Music History from Indiana University.

Dr. Curtis is a tenured professor of music at Riverside Community College in Riverside, California.

"A Traditional Jazz Player" Fred has played with Al Jarreau, Freddie Hubbard, Oscar Brown Jr. & Ron Carter to name a few.

Fred Griffin is a jazz musician based in Southern California. He currently plays in his own group "Fred Griffin Modern Jazz Quartet." Fred has recently recorded his first CD titled "Intimate Strangers" under the Carpet Cat Record Label. His past accomplishments include winning a nationwide talent search that resulted in opening for the rock group "The Eagles".

The critics say :
"Griffin plays with a smooth smoky tone that put a caressing hug around eight well chosen love songs." More here

Wendell Kelly is a freelance trombonist, arranger, composer, producer, performing live and in the studio of the Los Angeles area.

Whitney Houston - The O'Jays - Stevie Wonder - Lionel Richie - En Vogue - Barbara Morrison - Horace Tapscott - Louis Bellson - Connie Francis - Engelbert Humperdinck - Leslie Uggums - Eddie Daniels- Patti LaBelle - Lou Rawls - Ernie Andrews - Natalie Cole - Toni Tennille - Gary Foster - The Rippingtons - Clare Fischer - Howie Mandel - Little Richard - Ray Charles - Jack Sheldon - Lanny Morgan - Bobby Shew - Johnny Hammond Smith - Phil Upchurch - Joe Williams - Gerald Albright - Dan Ackroyd - Frank Sinatra - Rich Matteson - Maureen McGovern - Liz Torres - The Four Tops - Tommy Newsom - Billy Crystal - The Temptations - Ross Thompkins - Steve Allen - Ashley Alexander - Tommy Tedesco - Styxx Hooper - Merv Griffin - Sue Raney - Cybil Shepard - Jerry Lewis - The Manhatten Transfer - Cleo Laine - Rosemary Clooney - Ruth Brown - Jack Jones - k.d.Lange - Rebbie Jackson - Shirley MacLaine - Luis Miguel - Tony Danza - Hootie & The Blowfish - Paula Abdul -Steve Lawrence - Eydie Gourmet - Carmen Bradford - Herbie Hancock - Harry Sweets Edison - Frankie Valli - Yolanda Adams - Lalo Schifrin - Pat Boone - John Faddis - Tom Scott - Michael Crawford - Jeff Goldblum - Lorna Luft - Wayne Newton - Lisa Loab - Dan Castellaneta - John Lithgow - Brenda Dumani - Nancy Sinatra -Loretta Divine - Sheila E.- Jennifer Holiday - T.C. Carson - Clint Black - Steve Wariner - Fiona Apple - Mary Wilson - Diahann Carrol - Marty Stewart - Neil Sedaka - Lionel Richie - Toni Braxton - Bobby Womack - Edgar Winter - Paul Anka - Luther Vandross - Diana Ross - Femi Kuti - Quincy Jones - James Ingram - Patti Austin - David Foster

Chuck Manning - Tenor Saxophone
Larry Koonse - Guitar
Ryan McGillicuddy - Acoustic Bass
Jason Harnell-Drums

Toured the United States, Europe, Australia, and the Orient with Maynard Ferguson as a member of his Big Bop Nouveau band. Recorded CD with Maynard entitled “These Cats Can Swing” on Concord Jazz Records, released in 1994. (1992-1994)

Toured the United States and Japan with contemporary jazz recording artist, Keiko Matsui. Recorded live performance video with Keiko entitled “Light Above the Trees,” also appeared on Black Entertainment Television’s Jazz Central and on PBS’ Live Performances. (1997-1999)

Currently performing in and around Los Angeles with such artists as Ron Stout, David Goldblatt, Steve Cotter, Darek Oles, Kei Akagi, Jack Sheldon, Tamir Hendelman, and Steve Tavaglione as well as leading two groups of his own; one with Larry Koonse and Joe Bagg, the other with Matt Otto and Jamie Rosenn.

Recent CD recordings include Matt Otto Quartet: Intellection, Lulee Fisher: Get Happy, and Steve Venz: Scoop. Other recordings include a national Verizon commercial (composed and performed), a national Cheeto’s spot and music for the cartoon “Chalk Zone”.

Hosted clinics and workshops all over the world with Maynard Ferguson. Instructed and arranged for high school drumline and percussion ensemble as well as for drum corps. Have been teaching privately since 1987. Currently seeing between ten and fifteen students a week.

Studied privately with Hank Belson, Vinnie Colaiuta, Tom Glaister, Larry Goldings, Jeff Hamilton, John Hernandez, Joe LaBarbera, Shelly Manne, Bob McCormick, Joe Porcaro, Wally Snow, Dave Weckl, and Dick Wilson.

Endorsements: Currently endorsing Yamaha Drums, Bosphorus Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Rhythm Tech Percussion Products. Have been profiled in several nationwide publications such as Modern Drummer Magazine, DRUM Magazine, and National Drum Association.

THE RON KOBAYASHI TRIO Ron and his band have shared the stage with such notable artists as David Benoit, Eddie Palmieri, Cirque Du Soleil, Strunz and Farah and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
The Trio has played numerous jazz festivals including The San Bernardino Music Festival, The Orange County Art and Jazz Festival, The Yorba Linda Arts Festival, The Dana Point Jazz Festival, The Mission Viejo Music Festival and the Playboy Jazz Summerfest in Pasadena. They have also worked in Laughlin, Nevada; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Orlando, Florida.
In 2002, Ron served as Music Director for the 10th Annual Hollywood Diversity Awards, where such stars as "The Rock," Michael Clarke Duncan and the cast of NBC's "West Wing" were honored.

Tracks from the Trio's discs are currently being used by DMX Music in retail and hotel chains across the country.

"The latest Ron Kobayashi Trio CD "No Preservatives" is currently being played on radio stations throughout the nation. Their earlier disc "Exotic Places" made the "Top 30 Albums" in 1998 on radio station KSBR. In 1996, the Trio was voted "Best Jazz Group in Orange County" by readers of the Orange County Weekly Magazine.

"If you define jazz...as spontaneity, emotional expression and communication among musicians, you won't find anything better than "No Preservatives," raves the Orange County Register.
The LA Jazz Scene calls the disc a "five star session."

Pianist and leader Ron Kobayashi has performed with Mel Torme, Margaret Whiting, Eric Marienthal, Phil Upchurch, Teddy Edwards, Tim Weisberg, Kenny Burrell, Paula Kelly Jr., Herb Jeffries, Peter White and "The Modernaires," He was a featured performer on the internationally distributed "Johnny Yune" television show, and has been featured on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. In 1992, Ron performed for President Bill Clinton and has recorded as a solo artist for the Casierra Record label.

Bassist and composer Baba Elefante was voted one of the nation's top bass players in a Bass Player Magazine poll. He also performed on the 1995 Universal movie "The Hunted," as well as with jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, saxophonists Pete Christlieb and Brandon Fields, Justo Almario, "Yes" keyboardist Patrick Moraz and "Kansas" lead vocalist John Elefante.

Drummer Steve Dixon has done numerous recording sessions both as a drummer and percussionist. He has worked with jazz saxophonist Richie Cole, "War" harmonica legend Lee Oskar, Bill Watrous and Warner Brothers recording artists "The Untouchables."

Dr. Joseph Jewell is a celebrated Southern California guitarist and educator. Equally adept on classical and electric guitar, Joe can be found performing as a featured jazz soloist at the State University of New York Jazz Guitar Festival the week after performing the avante garde concert music of eminent Chinese Composer Tan Dun at the La Jolla Chamber Music Festival. In 2003, Joe completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Guitar Performance at the University of Southern California. Joe performs frequently with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Long Beach Symphony, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Ensemble. Joe’s studio credits include performances on soundtracks for numerous television shows and films. As an accompanist, Joe has performed with vocalists Andrea Marcovicci and Christine Ebersole and has recorded on their most recent albums. He has performed in the orchestras for over a hundred musical theater productions. Joe is currently Professor of Guitar and Jazz Studies at Fullerton College.

Please join Joe for a special performance of the Joe Jewell Quartet. This Mario’s performance will be a preview of the upcoming CD Note Counts, which the band has just recorded. The Quartet presents a modern approach to standards with the unique flavor provided by the master of the Fender Rhodes, Dr. Reed Gratz. Also onboard will be legendary bass virtuoso, Baba Elefante and drummer extraordinaire, Mike Bennett.

JD Pinckney was exposed to music constantly throughout his life. His father is a cellist and his mother is a harpist with the prestigious Saint Louis Symphony. JD began his musical career on the cello at the tender age of seven and switched to bass when he was 14. He played in the University City High School Orchestra and also the Jazz Band. He has studied at music at Washington University in St. Louis, the Musicians Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA and privately with Henry Loew, the principal bassist with the Saint Louis Symphony. JD also plays a mean blues harmonica.

JD spent much of the 80's and 90's gigging and touring with various rock, R&B and jazz acts. He has toured with the likes of War, Morris Day and the Time, Confunkshun, Ollie Ali Wilson of the Temptations, Johnny Graham of Earth Wind and Fire, Chaka Kahn, The Jets, Pleasure Mask, Bibianna, Casual Sax, and many other acts.

Brief Biography

Complete Biography

Elements Bio

www.myspace.com/shoppy