Results for "Smooth Jazz"

Jarez

Born: May 21, 1979

Jarez is a contemporary saxophonist with a ear for what is hot. In a few short years, he has gone from being known as “Mr. Sexy Saxy’ to the mayor of J FUNK CITY, his 2020 CD full of all-star guests and ultra funky goodness. Featured artists include Julian Vaughn, Vandell Andrew, Willie Bradley, Ragan Whiteside and Gerald Albright.

J Funk City has made a sizzling impact of the music citizens of the world. With the release of the CD, Jarez became the indie saxophonist to have number 1’s on all SmoothJazz.com charts at one time with this release. Additionally, the J Funk City mayor made #1 on the Groove Jazz Music Charts and Radio Wave Monitor Charts for the single “24 Hours” (featuring Julian Vaughn), as well as the Top 10 on the Smooth Jazz Network Charts and the Smooth Jazz Billbord charts for the same single. J Funk City features the well-known steamy side of the mayor’s saxophone, but lends itself overall to a more muscular and athletic approach for summertime grooving.

Eva Vazzana

Pat Strawser

Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, Pat began his music education with classical piano lessons starting in 1985. The eclectic and abundant musical atmosphere of Athens inspired in him a lifelong love of music. He played trombone in high school marching band and was 1st chair trombone in his high school jazz band. He later started his first band, Volaré, in 1993. Volaré blended an interesting mix of fusion, progressive rock, and jazz, and released The Uncertainty Principle (The Laser’s Edge) in 1997, achieving critical acclaim with an international audience.

Over the last 30 years, Pat has continued to expand his musical experience offering private piano lessons, studio production work, working as an audio-visual tech for various churches, performing in wedding and jazz bands, and working with singers/songwriters

Randy Sloan

Guitarist Randy Sloan plays instrumental Pop, Smooth Jazz & Classic Standards, perfect for hotel lounges, wine bars, restaurants, private functions, cocktail hours, and more. Recent Venues/Clients include:  Ferrari North America, The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, The Omni Hotel Dallas, Hotel Crescent Court Dallas, Petroleum Club Fort Worth, Hotel Van Zandt Austin, Park House Dallas, and many more. Available for bookings in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin Texas and beyond.

The Blue Note Orchestra

This critically acclaimed jazz and big band ensemble plays dance standards from the 40s-60s as well as strong contemporary compositions and arrangements suited for high level engagements and concerts.  They have been invited to play at the most prestigious jazz festivals in the world, including the celebrated Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the North Seas Jazz Festival in the Netherlands and The Hawaiian International Jazz Festival. The 20 plus member ensemble has played with highly recognized jazz musicians and artists such as Jay Jennings of Snarky Puppy, Stockton Helbing, Barbara Morrison, Wayne Bergeron, Arturo Sandoval, Carl Sanders, James Morrison and Tom Luer. 

Ronald Wayne

Ronald Wayne was born in Los Angeles and was raised a mile from Disneyland. Ronald was in a unique place at a unique time in music history. Hendrix, Joplin, The Birds, The Doors, Cream, The James Cotton Blues Band, and Buddy Rich were all there in southern California. But there was one act that stood out, Albert King, BB’s brother, played blues with several sets of jazz. The Hammond B3 player was doing things that The Dave Clark 5 wasn’t, and Ronald fell in love with that instrument and started a lifelong affair with the B3 and jazz. 

His first real band, Summerstock, really wanted to get a gig at Disneyland. Back in the day, they had a stage that came up out of the ground with a band playing. Very cool! But it was 1967, and Disney did not allow any long or facial hair at that time for that wholesome look, so he set out to take the ultimate photo to submit for the job. Hair pinned behind their heads, clean shaven wholesome fellows all. 

Bryard Huggins

Bryard (bree-yard) Huggins is a composer, record producer, and contemporary jazz piano recording artist from Nashville, TN. He is also founder/CEO of Muse Entertainment, a music production company and indie record label. In addition, he tours with the Empress of Soul Gladys Knight as her featured guest artist. Bryard stumbled upon his God-given musical gift at the age of 4 and composed his first song at the age of 6. A former child prodigy with a gifted ear for music, now 27, he has released 5 studio jazz albums, 1 instrumental gospel album, and various singles. Through his company Muse Entertainment, Bryard composes and produces musical content for diverse clientele nationwide, in the styles of film/TV, commercials, music for podcasts, stage plays, and more

Tony Exum, Jr

Born: May 18, 1978

Art Boffi

Since arriving on the scene, jazz guitarist, Art Boffi, has been sparking interest and turning heads with his fiery brand of jazz guitar. Currently in steady rotation on internet radio stations that include CD101.9, Smooth Jazz Global, Smooth Jazz NYC, Smooth Jazz Mix New York, Radio Guitar One, and 95.5 Smooth Jazz to name a few. What makes this musician so unique is his well-thought-out arrangements and his creative intertwining of musical ideas. Influenced by traditional jazz players like Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, and Tal Farlow, he later found inspiration from players of a more avant-garde styling such as Ralph Towner and John Abercrombie as well as Pat Metheny, and rockers such as Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, and Roy Buchanan. Well versed in many musical styles, when listening to his recorded work, one can detect influences of jazz, rock, and blues.

Al Daniels

Born: December 21

Al Daniels is an accomplished composer/arranger and jazz pianist. Over the course of his half century as a player/composer he has worked with some of the finest musicians on the west coast. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Al's music history dates back to high school where his classical performance in the Bay Area Young Musicians Competition (sponsored by Pepsi) won him a new Kawai piano and an appearance with the San Francisco Symphony. But as Al's musical vocabulary increased legendary jazz saxophonist John Handy became an early inspiration and mentor during his studies at San Francisco State