Acclaimed as “a virtuoso saxophonist" (Beverly Hills National Auditions), and a “magician showing off his tricks" (www.austin360.com), Dr. Andrew Harrison has emerged as one of today’s most unique and engaging musicians, leading him to perform hundreds of concerts throughout the United States and Europe as a chamber musician and soloist. He has placed in numerous prestigious competitions, including the Frances Walton Competition, the U.S. “Pershing’s Own” Collegiate Concerto Competition, and most recently the Berliner International Competition. Dr. Harrison has been featured with numerous ensembles, including the Downey Symphony Orchestra, Music Academy of the West Orchestra, Cal Poly Pomona and La Sierra University Wind Ensembles, and the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, and his playing has been described as "spectacular" (LA Opus) with a sound that is "broad and rich" (The Instrumentalist).    

An advocate for contemporary saxophone music, Dr. Harrison has premiered over 30 new works by emerging and preeminent composers including Joel Love, Jules Pegram, Jim Stephenson, and Jennifer Higdon, among others, which range from solo works to large ensemble premieres. He has also recorded on several acclaimed albums, including Shadow of Sirius (GRAMMY Nomination, 2016) and Places in the West with with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, Over the Rainbow and Bach Again with the TexSax Saxophone Ensemble, and has released In the City: New Works for Saxophone Quartet under his own label. 

As an educator, Dr. Harrison is a frequent presenter of masterclasses and clinics at numerous high schools, universities, and conferences around the country, including the North American Saxophone Alliance, Texas Music Educators Association,  and Denison Tutti Festival, along with Residencies at Websters University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Franklin College, among others. His students have been accepted to numerous prestigious schools and organizations, including Cal State Fullerton, University of the Pacific, USC, UT Austin, University of North Texas, the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensemble, and the Riverside Philharmonic.

Currently, Dr. Harrison serves on the faculty of Mt. San Antonio College, Cerritos College, and the French Conservatory of Music, and previously served as the Saxophone Mentor Artist at the Colburn School. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, and a Masters degree from the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music, and his teachers have included legendary saxophonist Harvey Pittel, and LA Philharmonic Saxophonists Jim Rotter and Douglas Masek. He is the Co-Founder of the Uproar Duo with acclaimed pianist Clare Longendyke, and is an Endorsing Artist with Eastman Winds.

Phillip Whack is a native of Columbia, SC.  It was there that he was a product of his environment and grew up hearing the likes of Miles Davis, Nat King Cole, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Doobie Bros, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Louie Armstrong, Grover Washington Jr, James Brown, and many others in the family household.  By constantly absorbing all of this music, it would prove to have a profound influence in his interest in music.
 
He went on to continue his studies at Brevard College in Brevard, NC, where he studied saxophone and clarinet with Dr.David Kirby and Dr. Jon Gudmundson.  As he honed his skills in college, he began his true quest in music.  Although Phillip was initially a classically trained musician, he started to get submerged in the recordings by artist such as John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Freddie Hubbard, Kirk Whalum, Weather Report, Tower of Power, etc.  Those and many other recordings would change his life and direction in music forever.
 
As a professional, Phillip has gone on to  record or share the stage with the likes of The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Maceo Parker, Clarence Clemons, Fantasia, Fred Wesley, Wycliffe Gordon, Tom Browne, Lenny Kravitz, Branford Marsalis, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ojays, Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review, and many others.  He's performed in 48 states, Asia, Europe, Canada,  and Africa.  Here is what he has to say about his Eastman 52nd Street tenor saxophone.  "Eastman Saxophones have everything that a saxophonist would want..They play well in all registers from top to bottom...They allow the player to be extremely flexible and with great intonation and pitch...And most of all, they allow you to sound like you"

Keith Kelly is a Phoenix-based woodwind specialist and composer who works primarily in improvisation-based music. Much of his original works live somewhere between the spheres of jazz, ambient, and indie-rock. As a leader, he directs the Composers/Improvisers Big Band, the jazz-rock-improvisation unit Ask Not, and is regularly seen at The Lost Leaf, Phoenix’s hub of creative music. Keith performs often with Crossing 32nd St, and throughout the Western/Southwestern United States at a variety of new music concerts - including the Outsounds Music Festival (CA), In the Flow (CA), Oh My Ears (AZ), and at The Roost (NM).

His close cadre of musical companions include: vibraphonists/percussionists Brett Reed and Nathan Hubbard; woodwind players Eric Rasmussen, Adam Roberts, and Josh Bennett; percussionist Ryan Anthony; bassist Ben Hedquist; synth-maniac Tony Obr; guitarist Mike Sawitzke; and pianist Ashley Oakley. Equally at home in the realm of popular music, he has recorded with EELS, Dispatch, Califone, Michael Krassner, and Max Knouse. His recorded music is available through both Edgetone Records and his own label EX(P)HX.

Dr. Kelly holds degrees from the Conservatory of Music at University of the Pacific and Arizona State University. Since 2012, he has served as the Coordinator of Music Humanities and Performance at Paradise Valley Community College.

Here is what Keith Kelly says about the Eastman 52^nd Street Tenor Saxophone"

"I’ve played a vintage horn, ever since I picked up the tenor saxophone.  I had found that modern horns lacked the power, the range of tone color, and the overall ‘umph’ that I loved so much about playing vintage horns.  The Eastman 52nd St Tenor Saxophone was a revelation to me – a modern horn, with all the precision key-work and attention to detail, coupled with the overall sound and feel of a vintage saxophone.  When I first played my Eastman with the musicians who know me and my music best, they raved about how I 'sounded more like myself' and how much 'clearer and focused' my sound became.  I feel so lucky to be able to play this horn every day and to share this hybrid of 'vintage and modern' with my students and other professionals."

Most artists who put a “Doc” in their name do it out of cleverness, for marketing reasons, or as a crafty way to express their mastery of their instrument or vibe. Since the release of his 2003 debut Saxappeal, Phillip “Doc” Martin has all that down pat, wowing audiences everywhere from Blues Alley in D.C. to the St. Lucia Jazz Festival and the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival and earning inspiring amounts of airplay (including on XM Watercolors and The Weather Channel) for tracks like “Deep Pockets” and the title track from his 2009 set Realization. His latest Innervision Records release Pocket Love further establishes this powerful expertise via his dynamic flow and tight, funky old school driven alto vibe.

While many independent artists with cool, successful “day jobs” prefer to avoid references to them when they talk about their music, Martin is the complete opposite, fully embracing the inspirational factor of being a top notch practitioner in two very different professions. Beyond his ever-expanding musical fan base, hundreds of patients in the Washington DC area know him as “Dr. Martin,” a board certified dentist in group practice there. He called his previous album Good Day At Work (2013) to reflect his artful balance between the rigours of life as a dentist and the sometimes exhilarating, often challenging grind of being an independent artist and performer. One of the insert photos in the packaging of Pocket Love finds him enjoying the best of both worlds, embracing his treasured alto while wearing his green scrubs and cap.

 “My first love was always playing the sax, and I continue to strive to be the best sounding alto player you’ve ever heard. If it’s unheard of that a saxophone artist also wants to be the best dentist you’ve ever gone to, that’s a testament to the hard work I have put in so that I may enjoy these two amazing careers. In both worlds, success comes from working with incredible, dedicated people and developing inspiring, enduring relationships.”

www.phillipmartin.net

Mr. Allen has 25 years of experience in performing professionally and teaching saxophone to pre-college, undergraduate and graduate level students. In addition to teaching at Texas Women’s University as Adjunct Professor of Saxophone, Mr. Allen is currently the Director of Instrumental Studies /Professor of Saxophone at Brookhaven College in Dallas. Mr. Allen’s saxophone students have gone on to win, placed high or been named as a finalist both state-wide and nationally in such competitions as the Texas All-State Bands, North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Solo and Chamber Competitions at NASA Biennial Conferences, MTNA Solo and Chamber Competitions, Fischoff Chamber Competition and other solo and chamber contests.

Mr. Allen has performed extensively with the East Texas, Mesquite, Garland, Las Colinas, Waco and the Dallas symphony orchestras – as well as the Texas Women’s University Wind Symphony, TAMU-Commerce Wind Ensemble, Richardson Community Band and the Camerata Woodwind Quintet. Mr. Allen has been a tenured member of the Dallas Winds (Formerly known as the Dallas Wind Symphony) since 1992 and has performed on 14 internationally released recordings with the group on both alto and tenor saxophones. Mr. Allen was a performer/composer/arranger for the Larry “T Byrd” Gordon Band for four years, performing music of various styles including rock and roll, jazz, country, and rhythm and blues. Mr. Allen is an active clinician and adjudicator state-wide. His professional organization affiliations include the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA), Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Community College Band Directors Association (TCCBDA), Kappa Kappa Psi and Pi Kappa Lambda. Mr. Allen received his Bachelor and Master degrees from Baylor University, where he was a student of Dr. Michael Jacobson.

Tubist Stephen Kunzer works as a solo artist, chamber musician, educator, clinician, and orchestral musician. 

Stephen currently is Lecturer of Music at Auburn University. Stephen Kunzer has previously served on the faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and Oklahoma State University. 

Enjoying a varied freelance career, Stephen has worked with the Tucson Symphony (AZ), Dayton Philharmonic (OH), Las Vegas Philharmonic (NV), Tulsa Symphony Orchestra (OK), Tulsa Opera (OK), Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (AR), the acclaimed Dallas Brass Quintet, and has performed on both tuba and bass trombone as a member of the Nevada Ballet Theatre and Broadway Las Vegas Series. 

Stephen received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arizona and his Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where he served as the graduate assistant for the tuba-euphonium studio. 

Stephen Kunzer is proud to be an International Artist and Clinician for Eastman Music Company. He performs exclusively on the Eastman EBE853 and EBC832 tubas.

http://www.bobmintzer.com/

Harvey Pittel is an award winning and internationally acclaimed classical saxophonist who has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s greatest orchestras and has recorded extensively as a soloist and with ensembles including his own saxophone quartet. He is the Professor of Saxophone at The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music.

http://www.harveypittel.com/

Bennie Maupin is best known for his atmospheric bass clarinet playing on Miles Davis’ classic “Bitches Brew” album, as well as other Miles Davis recordings such as “Big Fun,” “Jack Johnson,” and “On the Corner.” He was a founding member of Herbie Hancock’s seminal band The Headhunters, as well as a performer and composer in Hancock’s influential Mwandishi band. Born in 1940, Maupin started playing clarinet, later adding saxophone, flute, and most notably the bass clarinet to his formidable arsenal of woodwind instruments. Upon moving to New York in 1962, he freelanced with groups led by Marion Brown, Pharoah Saunders, and Chick Corea, and played regularly with Roy Haynes and Horace Silver. He also recorded with McCoy Tyner, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Jack DeJohnette, Andrew Hill, Eddie Henderson, and Woody Shaw to name only a few.

Maupin’s own discography as a leader includes a well-received recording for ECM Records, “The Jewel in The Lotus” (1974), “Slow Traffic to the Right” (1976), “Moonscapes” both on Mercury Records (1978), and “Driving While Black” on Intuition, (1998). The instrumentation of Maupin’s current group The Bennie Maupin Ensemble, harkens back to the tradition of great saxophone-bass-drum trios, such as the group led by Sonny Rollins with Wilbur Ware and Elvin Jones. While echoes of the great John Coltrane can be heard in Maupin’s work, one can also discern the influences of Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, and Eric Dolphy, as well as Maupin’s contemporaries like Wayne Shorter and the late Joe Henderson. Maupin’s approach to his music is intentional and profound, yet alive in the interpretation of the moment. He maintains active performing and teaching careers in Europe, and the US. Bennie Maupin currently resides in the Los Angeles area. 

Brian Asselin, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Education. Over the past 15 years Brian has toured Europe, the United States and Canada with various bands including: Delbert & The Commotions, The Legendary Funk Brothers, Mary Wilson (The Supremes), The Temptations, The Four Tops, The JW-Jones Blues Band, The Jivewires, The Holly Larocque and Mark Ferguson Big Band, Groovebug, and Organix. In his musical endeavors, Brian has shared the stage with such artists as Kim Wilson (Grammy Award Nominee, WC Handy Award Winner), Dan Ackroyd, Bob Mintzer (Grammy Award Winner), Randy Brecker (Grammy Award Winner), Chase Sanborn, Mike Murley (Juno Award Winner), Alex Dean, Guido Basso, Colin James (Juno Award Winner), Sue Foley, Pat Travers, Garrett Mason (Juno Award Winner), Roxanne Potvin (Juno Award Nominee), David Braid, Parliament Funkadelic, Brian Browne, Kathleen Edwards (Juno Award Winner), Sam Roberts (Juno Award Winner) and The Texas Horns. Brian received his bachelors in music performance from Carleton University in 2004 under the direction of Mike Tremblay, Rob Frayne, and Juno award winner Kirk Macdonald. Being an educator has always been in the forefront of his career. Brian started teaching private students while attending University which eventually led him back to school to obtain his education degree. Over the course of the last 10 years he has taught students topics ranging from saxophone, jazz improvisation, music theory, and song writing. Currently Brian is on staff as a professor at Algonquin College in the Industry Arts program as well as conducting several bands under a program called New Horizons which help adults learn a musical instrument in a band setting. Apart from being a saxophonist, Brian is also a songwriter. After attending teachers college he wrote a song dedicated to teachers around the world who inspire their students on a daily basis. The song has since gone viral (over 1 million views) on youtube and can be heard by choirs all around the world. The song has also been played on NBC’s Late Night News with Diane Sawyer. Since writing that song, Brian has created a YouTube channel, and released albums both under his own name as well as his new Soul project entitled ‘Delbert & The Commotions’. Back in 2009, Brian got the opportunity to tour with The Motown Legendary Funk Brothers which is an experience he will cherish for the rest of my life. The Funk Brothers (including Bob Babbitt, Uriel Jones, and Eddie Willis) were the back up band on most Motown albums including The Temptations, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and countless others. The documentary ‘Standing In The Shadows of Motown’ is the story of The Funk Brothers. During his stay with the Funk Brothers he formed a friendship with the bands lead singer, Delbert Nelson and soon after they created the band – Delbert & The Commotions. Just last March, they released their debut album entitled ‘Let Me See Ya Dance’. With this album hot off the press, they are currently in the works to record their second album which will hopefully be released in early 2014.

Las Vegas based Charles McNeal studied extensively in Denver Co. privately and at the college level with teachers that include Walt Fowler, Willie Hill, Rich Charluce, Keith Oxman, Ron Miles, Javon Jackson, Nelson Rangell, Brad Leali, and Walter Barr. He has been a featured performer at many national and international festivals including Monterey Jazz Festival (CA), San Jose Jazz Festival (CA), San Francisco Jazz Festival (CA), Playboy Jazz Festival(CA), Telluride Jazz Festival (CO), Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), and Porretta Soul Festival (Italy). He has performed, recorded and/or toured with: Lyle Lovett Large Band, The Headhunters w/Mike Clark and Bill Summers, Jimmy Scott, Charlie Mussellwhite, Keb Mo, John Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, James Carter, Steve Turre, Leslie Drayton, McCoy Tyner, Ray Obiedo, Dave Garabaldi, RAD, Steve Turre, James Carter, Brenda Boykin, Claire Dee, Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Barbara Morrison, Jackie Ryan, Take 6, Kirk Whalum, Nneenna Freelon, Barbara Dennerlein, Jr. Mance, Bruce Forman, Mark Elf, Roberta Flack, The Temptations, Ollie Woodson, Norman Conners, Jean Carne, Curtis Olson, Peter Horvath, Jaz Sawyer, Boz Scaggs, and Nicolas Bearde. In addition to being a world class saxophonist, his website “charlesmcneal.com” is the #1 source for jazz saxophone transcriptions and related educational resources on the web. Read what’s being said about this Las Vegas saxophonist: “…When I walked into Pearl’s, the piece “Brujo” was in full swing. It was a swift piece that featured Charles McNeal primarily on soprano sax with Wally kicking and stomping on the drums, pushing Charles to great heights. The group was very tight and seemed to like that tempo. Charles’s alto solo had a contemporary edge on “Tony,” a piece dedicated to Tony Williams.” “…Charles was into a very avant-garde mode that took the rest of the group in that fast-clip direction.” “…before slowing the pace for the first of Nelson’s compositions, “A Penthouse Dawn,” admirably performed by the orchestra and alto soloist Charles McNeal.”

https://www.youtube.com/user/chayjazz

Dr. Treinen is currently Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies/Applied Saxophone at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. He received his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Jazz Studies under Dr. Wayne Goins from Kansas State University and his Masters Degree in Music Education from Kansas State University under Dr. Frank Tracz. Dr. Treinen is also a graduate of Washburn University where he received his Bachelors degrees in Music Education and Saxophone Performance. During the mid 80’s, Dr. Treinen occupied the lead Alto chair with one of the leading premier big bands in the country, The Kansas City Boulevard Big Band. In 1994, He was mentioned in Downbeat Magazine article for his solo work on the big band’s latest recording. The ensemble was recognized for its collection of highly talented musicians and recordings featuring Karin Allison, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Watson, Pete Christlieb, Eric Marienthal and many others. Throughout his years in Kansas City, Dr. Treinen performed with several other local, regional and national big bands such as The Trilogy Big Band, Tony Dipardo Big Band, Topeka Jazz Workshop Big Band, Moms Big Band and The Jimmy Dorsey Big Band. In 1990, Dr. Treinen entered the United States Air Force as a Saxophone Specialist with The Heartland of America Band (formerly the USAF Strategic Air Command Band) stationed in Omaha, Nebraska. During his military career, Dr. Treinen was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his solo work on the “Noteables” jazz ensemble recording Always and Forever, and for his performance work. He was then awarded Airman of the Year for the entire USAF music career field and received the Outstanding Airman Bandsman, 4 times from his unit commander during his tenure at Offutt, AFB. In 1996, Dr. Treinen was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal for his accomplishments as musical director of the “Noteables” during The United States Air Force 50th Anniversary World War II Show, which was presented throughout the United States. Dr. Treinen currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Topeka Jazz Workshop Inc., as the Director of the education and scholarship committees and one year as the Artistic Director for The Coleman Hawkins Legacy Jazz Festival. He is currently in his tenth year as the Director of the Topeka Jazz Youth Jazz high school jazz program. Dr. Treinen is in high demand as a jazz educator and performer throughout the Midwest. He is currently serving as Kansas’s State Jazz Education Advisor for the Kansas Music Educator Association and is the Director of the KMEA Jazz Educators All-Star Big Band. As a clinician/ artist, Dr. Treinen has adjudicated and performed at numerous jazz festivals. As a jazz saxophonist, Dr. Treinen’s solo work can be heard on the following recordings: “Chronicles of Carmella,” by guitarist Dr. Wayne Goins, “Introducing Sean Parsons,” by pianist Dr. Sean Parsons and vocalist Kevin Mahogany’s CD “Big Band.” Throughout his career, Dr. Treinen has performed with such legendary performers such as Grant Stewart, Harry Allen, Bob Bowman, Todd Strait, Frank Mantooth, Donny McClaslin, George Duke, Mike Metheny, Roger Ingram, Carl Fontana, John Fedchock, Terrell Stafford, Bobby Watson, Wycliff Gordon, Eric Marienthal, The Temptations, and The Shirelles. Dr. Treinen is currently performing with the New Vintage Big Band in Kansas City, 9plus1, Michael Pagan Big Band, and The Wayne Goins Quartet. He continues to be an active performer and clinician providing clinics, workshops, and lectures on saxophone and jazz education throughout the United States. On March 7, 2015, Dr. Treinen was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.

Jeff Antoniuk is an internationally respected jazz composer and saxophonist whose concerts and recordings are consistently well received by critics. His CD’s with The Jazz Update and The MARS 4-tet have been lauded by jazz critics around the world, who note his exceptional compositions and peerless technique. A dedicated teaching artist, Antoniuk is the Artistic Director of the Maryland Summer Jazz summer workshop, as well as both Jazz Band Masterclass and inDepth Jazz Clinics on the east coast. He is also a Master Teaching Artist with Washington Performing Arts in the nations capitol. Through WPA and the Capitol Jazz Project (in conjunction with Jazz at Lincoln Center and Wynton Marsalis), Antoniuk shares jazz, improvisation and the saxophone with thousands of school age children every year. For decades, Antoniuk has shared the stage with jazz and R&B names, ranging from Ray Charles, Najee and David Foster to Marcus Miller, Jimmy Haslip and Ingrid Jensen. “I’ve been playing the typical great vintage horns for over 25 years, and this is the first time I’ve been compelled to put them down. The 52nd Street tenor is beyond comfortable. Congrats to Eastman for finally coming up with an affordable horn that sounds like New York City in 1958!”

Jimmie, or as friends call him Tjari, was born September 18, 1967 in “Flower City” Rochester NY. Critically acclaimed, Grammy Nominated and award winning Saxophonist Jimmie Highsmith Jr., has shared the stage with and opened for multiple Grammy Award winners, including Najee, Alicia Keys, Víctor and Joseph Wooten, Chris Botti, Grover Washington Jr., and Wynton Marsalis just to name a few. In the last ten years he has recorded 7 top selling smooth jazz CD’s that have sold thousands worldwide with his 6th CD “The Anthology of Sound” receiving a Grammy Nomination.. Jimmie has also been honored to record with several other musicians, singers and rappers on their projects. Jimmie Highsmith Jr’s sax work represents some of the best in the Smooth Jazz Genre. June 1st was proclaimed by then Mayor Robert J. Duffy “Jimmie Highsmith Jr Day” in Rochester NY.

http://www.jimmiehighsmithjr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jase.highsmith

Kenyon Carter is an Atlanta-based jazz saxophonist and international recording artist recognized for his melodic smooth jazz compositions and engaging live performances. His soulful style and rich sound have been compared to contemporary smooth jazz favorites like Boney James, Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum and Gerald Albright. Kenyon’s most recent smooth jazz album, Right By My Side, has received widespread international radio play and “Sky Line” and “Sangria Sunday” were listed among GrooveJazzMusic.com’s“Top 100 of 2012”. “Sangria Sunday” remained at the tops of smooth jazz radio charts for more than 10 weeks. Raised in South Georgia, Kenyon’s call to jazz came early, picking up his first saxophone at thirteen. He began his formal education at Valdosta State University, where he earned Bachelor’s degrees in both Jazz Performance and Music Education. Later, he pursued graduate work at Georgia State University, where he earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies. Kenyon currently maintains a busy schedule of performances, composition, and serves as the instructor of jazz saxophone at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. Kenyon also works with his private studio of students, regardless of their location, via internet video call lessons.

http://www.kenyoncarter.com/

Since picking up the saxophone while in Junior High School back in the 1980s, Kirk Tracy enjoyed developing his sound and playing in the Orange County/Los Angeles music scene. While still in school Kirk had the honor of studying with New Orleans great Jerry Jumonville as well as Southern California saxophone masters Eric Marienthal and Doug Webb. Once Kirk was in his late teens he became busy playing with The Shirelles, The Ink Spots, Dave Wakeling (The English Beat and General Public), and recorded the Epic Records debut release of the ska group Save Ferris. Kirk has also recorded many t.v. and film spots as well. Although once he met his wife Nicole he was determined to create a group with her that celebrated “Classic American Music”…and thus The Kid and Nic Show was born. A fun, high energy, interactive show that features a blend of swingin’ blues, rock and roll, latin and a variety of other genres. Since the formation of this husband and wife led five piece band in 1997, The Kid and Nic Show has performed regularly from the House of Blues stages in Hollywood and Anaheim to clubs, casinos, theaters, festivals and special events across the country. Past tours have taken the show to over 15 states. The Kid and Nic Show has been featured on The Discovery Channel, The Food Networks “Bobby Flay’s Food Nation”, as well as morning news shows in Minnesota, South Dakota, Nevada and Arizona. Their story has also been told in periodicals across the nation. Songs from Kid and Nic’s lates release “Goin’ Downtown” are enjoying regular rotation on radio stations across the nation and around the world! Kid and Nic take their audiences on a trip across the landscape of American music and comedy for a show that provides a lot of laughs, memorable tunes and a genuine feeling of joy! Kirk Tracy is a proud player and promoter of The Eastman 52nd St. Tenor Saxophone.

http://www.kidandnic.com/

Michael Carbone, a native of Utica, New York moved to the Binghamton area in 1981 and has been an instrumental music teacher in the Johnson City School district where he is currently the Coordinator of Music for the JC School District. Along with his administrative duties, and instrumental lesson teaching, he has also been involved with directing the high school concert band and jazz ensembles. Mike has also served as guest conductor for Broome, Seneca, Ulster, and Tompkins County Music Educators Festivals, and as Saxophone/Jazz Improvisation Instructor for New York State School of Music for the Arts at Binghamton University. Mike was also the last Secretary Officer for the New York State Chapter of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) and has frequently been hired as a jazz adjudicator/clinician for high school jazz festivals. Mike joined the Binghamton University music faculty in 1997 and continues to serve as the Director of the Jazz Studies Program and the Director of the Harpur Jazz Ensemble. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the Crane School of Music and a Masters in Music performance from Binghamton University having studied saxophone with Dr. James Stoltie, J.R. Montrose, Al Gallodoro, and April Lucas. Mr. Carbone has performed as a sideman for many well-known artists including Al Marino, Natalie Cole, Tommy Tune, Mel Torme, Engelbert Humperdinck, Slam Stewart, Nick Brignola, Steve Gilmore, Tony Marino, Tom Whaley, Duffy Jackson, Jeff Jarvis, Jeff Stockham, Joe Riposo, Ron Vincent, Jacque Washington, Dave Samuels, Steve Laspina, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Danny D’Imperio’s Big Band Bloviation, the Central New York Jazz Orchestra, Marko Marcinko, Al Hamme’s Music Unlimited and Swing Street ensembles, Bill Carter’s Presbybop Quartet, The Temptations, and most recently on a recording session with the Presbybop ensemble, which featured Dave Liebman. From Mike about the Andres Eastman 52nd Street ESS 652 Soprano Saxophone: I absolutely love my Andreas Eastman 52nd St. Soprano with the curved neck! I’ve owned, and played on, a number of other top brand soprano saxophones, and have for thirty plus years been searching for a soprano that plays the way I dreamed a soprano would sound and feel! The ESS 652 52nd Street has a wonderful sound, is ergonomically designed to feel very comfortable in your hands, has superb intonation, fantastic technical facility, and has the free blowing flexibility as if I’m playing my tenor! I have finally found the soprano for me, and I could not recommend this horn more. It will be the direction I send all of my students. Thank you Andreas Eastman for building such a fantastic instrument!

Mike Vaccaro is a freelance musician in greater Los Angeles, California. He is active in the fields of motion pictures, television, jingles, live theater, and classical, jazz, and pop concerts. Performing on a multitude of woodwind instruments including the clarinet, flute, saxophone, and oboe families his background and current performance activities are varied.

After studies at Cerritos College and Cal State University Long Beach (where he premiered the Scaramouche for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra by Darius Milhaud) in classical music he served his professional apprenticeship on tours with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Paul Horn, and the American Folk Ballet.

A four year stint in Las Vegas had him performing for production shows and celebrities and various hotels. At the same time he was performing with the Las Vegas Chamber Players and the Las Vegas Symphony Orchestra.

His career included the Pantages Theater, South Bay Civic Light Opera, with The Pageant Of The Masters Orchestra, Long Beach Grand Opera, and in a variety of recording studios, venues, and at concerts throughout the area.  Some recording engagements included The Academy Awards, and the motion pictures, Up, Star Trek, Speed Racer, Ratatouille, Hairspray, Land of the Lost, and Mission Impossible, The Incredibles, etc. In addition he is the music contractor at The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts going on his 29^th year contracting local musicians for celebrities. He has been semi-retired since 2008 and making a CD or two every year in both the jazz and classical idioms. Also in retirement he continues to make mouthpieces for clarinet and saxophone and plays and records with his saxophone quartet. His jazz and classical recordings can be purchased at www.mikevaccaro2.bandcamp.com  Most recently he is presenting and producing the music of John Scott. You can sign on to a bi-monthly blog at www.mikevaccaro.com and yes Mike does teach just a few students on clarinet, saxophone, and flute (a limit of 5 per week).  He performs on the Eastman 850 Alto Sax, the 52^nd Street Soprano Sax, and the Haynes flute.

http://www.mikevaccaro.com/
http://www.mikevaccaro2.bandcamp.com

Paul Von Mertens is a Chicago-based composer/arranger and a performer on saxophone, flute, clarinet and harmonica. He has played and recorded with a variety of artists including Mavis Staples, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Stereolab, The Sea and Cake, Poi Dog Pondering, Broken Social Scene, Wilco, and Mono. He has been a member of the Brian Wilson Band since 1999 and is currently musical director.

Paul has written arrangements, orchestrations and performed for Brian Wilson's tour and Grammy-winning recording of "Smile," the Pet Sounds Tour, "Live In London," "Gettin' In Over My Head," "That Lucky Old Sun," "Wilson Reimagines Gershwin," "In The Key Of Disney," and "That's Why God Made the Radio" with Brian and The Beach Boys. Paul spent 2016 touring “Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary” worldwide, featuring performances with the Boston Pops. His arrangement of "Dvorak Re-mix Fantasy" was premiered at Orchestra Hall with Poi Dog Pondering and the Chicago Sinfonietta in 2005, and his "Carmen Remix" in 2007.

Writing credits include music for Steppenwolf Theater, the Peabody Award-winning documentary "The Lost Children of Rockdale County" and "Merchants of Cool" for Frontline, and the long-running "Workplace Essential Skills" for PBS. Paul and his wife, Cynthia Von Orthal, have created original puppet musicals "Akuba's Dream," "The Yellow Wallpaper," "A White Heron" and "Tara's Story" for their own company, Von Orthal Puppets.

PC: Sean Williams

Gary Bias has been the saxophonist with the Earth, Wind & Fire horns since 1987. He has won a Grammy Award in 1987 in the Best Rhythm & Blues Song category for co-writing the song “Sweet Love” with Anita Baker and Louis A. Johnson. In 1999 Bias released his first album as a leader, “2 B Free”, on his own Thunderbop label. He is co-owner of a recording studio in San Bernardino, California, where he has been working on his second album on his off-time from Earth, Wind & Fire.

Gary Poffenbarger, joined the music faculty at The University of Texas at San Antonio in the fall of 2017. He teaches tuba and euphonium lessons to music majors, leads weekly masterclasses, and directs the UTSA Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, better known as “¡El Boom Squad!” Mr. Poffenbarger holds a M.M. from Boston University, and a B.M.Ed. from Arkansas State University. His principle teachers include Sam Pilafian, William Holmes, Wesley Branstein, Warren Deck, Gary Ofenloch, Ronald Romm, Roger Voisin, Timothy Morrison, David Ohanian, William Pfund, Allan Dean and Arnold Jacobs. He is former member of The Boston Brass, Epic Brass and The Boston Tuba Quartet. He was the principal tubist with The United States Air Force Academy Band and group leader/music director of The Stellar Brass which has performed at The Midwest Clinic, Texas Music Educators Convention, Texas Bandmaster Association Convention, Arkansas Bandmasters Association Convention, Colorado Music Educators Association Convention, International Trumpet Guild Conference, International Tuba-Euphonium Association Convention, The United States Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Workshop and The American Bandmasters Association Convention.

While at the Academy he was a member of the arranging staff creating over 150 arrangements and taught Finale for the Air Force. Later he was named Chief of the Band Support Division for The Air Force Public Affairs Association and led a team that created music compositions/arrangements, managed music licensing and social media for all Air Force Bands and Public Affairs. He has been featured on over 32 video and audio recording projects and performed live for over 50 million people worldwide. He has performed more than 40 times on TV including PBS, Fox and Friends and The Armed Forces Network. He was previously the instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at Colorado State University-Pueblo, was a member of the faculty at The Rafael Mendez Brass Institute and was Director of Bands at Louise ISD. Gary is an artist/clinician for the Eastman Music Company and performs on the EBC632S CC tuba.

http://music.utsa.edu/index.php/faculty_page/gary-poffenbarger-tuba