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SSE Collaborators
Kareem's mastery of the soprano saxophone earned him the laudable nickname “the Black Kenny G" and as a smooth jazz soprano saxophonist, Kareem has recorded 2 albums entitled "Passion" and "Sax and the City." Kareem's 3rd album “Grown & Saxy” a "Pop" jazz album, is slated for a Fall release.
Kareem continues to perform Weekly with Li'nard's Many Moods in NYC and the world but aslo has performed with various well-known artists in and around the New York City area , and the world including Maceo Parker, Cyril Neville, Cindy Bradley, Cheryl “Pepsi” Riley, Milo Z, Slam Allen, Papa J & Mo Soul, Amanda Brown, Jerry Dugger, Antar Goodwin, Shareef Clayton, Chrissy Poland, The Bleecker Street All-Stars, Days of Wild, Yazmin' All Stars, RPM, Sly Geralds Band, Yaz Band, The Unionn, Dean Scala Band, Richard Lee, Dave Kolker, Junior Mac, Grant Green Jr., Frank Viele & The Manhattan Project and the incomparable blues legend Moe Holmes. He has shared the stage and recorded with Gospel artist "Y.O." Yonette Hall. He has also performed with J. Records recording star Gavin DeGraw, as well as Grammy Award Winning Artist John Mayer as well as Grammy nominated artists Joss Stone and music icon Cyndi Lauper.
Lil Maceo Website
Vocalist Hazel Mitchell-Bell is one of Washington, D.C.'s first ladies of jazz. Following her highly praised 2018 recording, Stronger Than Ever, she released Sack Full of Dreams in May 2021. She appears on festival, concert and club stages, enjoying one sellout after another. Working closely with pianist and Music Director Vince Evans, she performs and records with orchestras, big bands and smaller ensembles, stoking the fires of the D.C. jazz scene.
The two have worked together since 2016. Stronger Than Ever features standards from the Great American Songbook and R&B hits backed by an 11-piece orchestra. The indie album enjoyed 12 weeks on the Roots Music Report Top 50 Jazz Chart, peaking at #12. Robert Rusch of Cadence Magazine calls her voice: “fresh and compelling and gripping.” Jim Hynes of Making a Scene calls her “one of the most impressive vocalists to enter this incredibly competitive arena of jazz vocalists.”
Sack Full of Dreams reflects a heightened level of artistry and broadening of repertoire for Mitchell-Bell, whose influences include Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn and Phyllis Hyman. The 12 tracks feature her interpretations of jazz, blues and R&B favorites made famous by such artists as Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Luther Vandross and also include tunes from Broadway repertoire.
The stunning songstress has performed in top clubs in the nation’s capital as well as the Kennedy Center, the Preservation Jazz Festival, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Sheldon Cultural Center in St. Louis. She has thrilled standing room only audiences at D.C.’s City Winery and received standing ovations at such spots as the Westminster Jazz Night series.
With this sort of background, it's not surprising then that Ainae already has quite a musical repertoire. Her first release was a single called 'Full Plate' in 2017 followed by other releases including an EP 'Contort' in 2018 and the singles 'Dragon Heart Lemonade', 'Summertime Fine', 'Girls' and 'Here Tonight'. 'Here Tonight' was Ainae's only release in 2020.
Barry & Amy Brady
Carly Harvey
Carly is a two-time DC Blues Society Battle of the Bands winner (duo 2016, band 2019) and was proclaimed DC's Queen of the Blues in 2016 by Dr. Nick Johnson of Jazz and Justice 89.3 WPFW FM Radio. Carly’s band represented DC in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2019 and advanced to the semifinals. Carly has released a new EP titled Kiss & Ride Vol. 1 and has an international crossover album titled Among the Stars and an EP titled Y.A.M.W.A.O. with Italian producer/composer Taste of Dream. This project allowed Carly to explore an element of her musicianship beyond the Blues.
Carly is a beautiful soul that is wise beyond her years and her vocals will keep you wanting more. She will have her CD for purchase at the show! This is going to be a great night out!
Shirleta Settles
During her performances she has the innate ability to connect and include her audiences of all ages, whether singing, storytelling, drama, spoken word, staff development or as a recording artist. Her experience as a Bandleader and lead vocalist for a 10 piece variety band, Marquise for 15 years has given her the ability to share her talent in a variety of venues and genres (R&B, Jazz, Blues, Pop, and Gospel. .
She has traveled nationally and internationally sharing her gift of music and storytelling from festivals, schools, and political arenas as well as private engagements. Shirleta has been featured on FOX 5 News as an outstanding vocalist/entertainer.
It is not unusual to hear of her “SOLD OUT” performances. So, looking for a talent that will have your audience enjoying and engaged? She’s the one!
Kevin Howard
Kevin has received several awards which include three “Best Jazz Performer Awards” from renowned local urban radio station WAMO; the WQED Harry Schwab Excellence in the arts award; Best Jazz Performer Champions Association; Pittsburgh City Paper “top three jazz performers”. Kevin, along with his band served as the Pittsburghʼs WJJJ Smooth Jazz Band for more than two years, performing at various events sponsored by the radio station.
Kevin recently toured with and was the musical director for jazz saxophone legend Ronnie Laws, also recorded and performed with saxophonist Marion Meadows, Jonathan Butler, Norman Connors, Lonnie Liston Smith, Najee, and George Benson. In addition has shared the stage with Roy Ayers, Pieces of a dream, Joe McBride and John Legend.
Kevin also headlined concerts in Parkersburg, WV Jazz on the Green and Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-culture Festival, Jazz under the Stars Harrisburg PA, International Festival Baltimore MD., National Urban League Convention, and several venues nationwide.
Kevin has three CDʼs “Random Groove”, “Collage”, and “Special Edition” which includes special guest saxophonist Marion Meadows and guitarist Rohn Lawrence. Kevin's fourth CD titled “Travels” will be available September 1st 2015 for digital download and physical version September 14th 2015.
Kevin Howardʼs smooth dynamic sound, warm personality and infectious smile will have you yearning for more. Together with his band of world class musicians, the sounds you experience are tantalizing, smooth, dynamic , and mesmerizing. They project energy, passion and charisma in concert that is the essence of the Kevin Howard Experience. Kevin is a true entertainer.
Sol Roots
Sol Roots band performs a mix of New Orleans funk, raw blues, energetic rock, deep grooves, and southern soul. Sol Roots is an official Home Grown Music Network artist and a "Next Generation" Music Maker Relief Foundation artist. Sol Roots band has shared the stage with Jon Cleary, Soulive, Dumpstaphunk, The Wood Brothers, Robert Randolph, Eric Lindell, Shemekia Copeland, Booker T Jones, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Jackie Greene and more.
Sol Roots is a fierce guitarist, bassist, and soulful singer who has toured around the world with many roots, funk, and blues legends. Sol and his band create a unique blend of energetic rock, raw blues, reggae, and funk, all delivered with deep soul.
Eugene Chapman
A Sykesville, MD native, Eugene A. Chapman began playing saxophone at the age of nine, but he did not take it seriously until he entered his teens. Once he started focusing on his craft, he knew that he had found his passion.
During his matriculation at Morgan State University, Eugene had the opportunity to perform with the Morgan State University Band and the Morgan State University Choir under the tutelage of the late Dr. Nathan Carter and the Maryland Intercollegiate Band.
Eugene has performed with who’s who of renowned recording artists, such as P-Funk, The Temptations featuring Richard Street, Deniece Williams, Fertile Ground, Atlantic Starr, Frank McComb, Chester Burke Jr., Tres Gilbert, Garret Shider, Jeff Bradshaw, TI, Ashley Jackson, Take 6, Richard Smallwood, Tom Browne, Jean Carne, Michael Henderson, Maysa, Malina Moye, Frederic Yonnet, Brooke Valentine, Marcus Johnson, Grainger Brothers, James Ziegler, Drew Davidsen, Bobby Parker, Jonell, and Vanessa Marquez. He has opened for Erykah Badu on her Worldwide Underground tour with Dead Prez, Ohio Players and for Robin Thicke in support of his debut album, A Beautiful World.
Chapman has graced the stages of many notable venues from L.A. to D.C., including the Viper Room, Whiskey a Go-Go, B.B. Kings, Blues Alley, Howard Theatre, the Conga Room, Carter Barron Amphitheater, Lincoln Theatre, and the Warner Theater, to name a few.
His theater credits include Marvin on Marvin (Marvin Gaye tribute), Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On (blues revue), If You Don’t Bellevue: A Love Story and Body Language. If You Don’t Believe: A Love Story starred Deniece Williams and Tatyana Ali and went on to receive eight NAACP Theatre Award nominations.
A natural in front of the camera, Eugene has appeared on television in Rod Stewart’s Stardust: The Great American Songbook 3infomercial and on the UPN sitcom Half & Half.
Most recently, Chapman played on the film, score for the independent film Spiral, which went on to receive first place at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in 2007.
Along with his performing experience, Eugene Chapman has been teaching privately for the past 11 years. He teaches woodwinds (all saxes, flute, and clarinet). Teaching all styles and approaches to music. All based on his educational and performing experiences. He teaches beginners to advanced level students. Many of his students have made All-County, Honor's Band, performing arts schools such as Duke Ellington in DC, and first chair in their school's ensemble.
Currently residing in DMV area, He is currently working on is next project the "Guy Next Door" also his original compositions were featured in the web TV series “Who”, from that one of the compositions was featured in the sitcom "Beauty and the Baller" on BET Centric.
Aaron Rhines
He attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he was invited to play piano with the jazz ensemble. This experience fueled a desire to further his development as a jazz pianist and led him to New York City where he received professional jazz training under the renowned Michael Cockran and Greg Murphy.
In 1996 Aaron was part of a musical tour to Jakarta, Indonesia with funk meister Dennis "Menace" Weeden. He has traveled as a producer/studio musician with the legendary house music dj Bert Bevans. As part of this project, he worked in studios in Melbourne, Australia; London, England; and Geneva, Switzerland. Upon returning to the United States, Aaron formed his independent record label and production company, 9th Galaxy Music, and formed his own band which performs throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.
In February 2010, Aaron was featured at Delaware Technical Community College in Wilmington, De where he introduced students to technical aspects of his composition tool Apple Logic Pro. The highlight of the evening was a performance with his trio the Groove Unit.
In April 2011, he was the featured artist, along with his band, at the event AA Dinner Theater@ held at Modern Maturity, in Dover, DE. Later that year in August, he was again the featured artist for the event AA Sunday Matinee@ at the Delaware Technical Community College in Dover.
Aaron enjoys performing straight ahead jazz, R&B covers, and his repertoire of originals that range from straight ahead jazz, contemporary jazz, R&B and house. His freshman CD, "Nothing But Love.
In 2013, Aaron released “Clear Skies,” and in June, 2018, he released his EP “On My Grind.”
His band features the sultry voice of Rene Edwards, vocals; William Allen, Drums; Wardell Howard, Bass and Connal Brown on Congas.
Rene Edwards
Earl Ivey
Javier Starks
Osai
