Minas Brazilian | Latin | Jazz Minas takes Brazilian and American roots to create a sound that is fresh and innovative, from ballads tinged with melancholic traits of Blues and Choro, to Folk coasting on the subtle coolness of a Bossa Nova pulse, to upbeat Sambas elaborated with instrumental jazz improvisation, scat singing and skillful whistling. With recordings of original music and a collection of over 100 songs, Orlando and Patricia's compositions capture the essence of great … [Read more...]
Avi Wisnia Singer/Songwriter | Pianist | Original Music Avi Wisnia is an award-winning composer, singer, performer and educator, finding inspiration in Brazilian bossa nova, acoustic American folk, 1950’s west-coast jazz, and contemporary pop. Hailing from Philadelphia, Avi tours in support of his debut album, "Something New," performing in prestigious venues around the world – from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City to The Kennedy Center in Washington DC to concerts in … [Read more...]
The Gumbo Gumbas Zydeco | New Orleans Jazz The Gumbo Gumbas are “A delicious medley of authentic New Orleans Spaghetti Jazz with a side of Creole." They play music that will make you happy and want to jump for joy. The Gumbas get their influences from the city that started it all in American music, New Orleans, and blend the elements of jazz, zydeco, R&B, country and rock into a big old fashioned southern stew. Their mission is to spread the vibe of NOLA up to the north; there … [Read more...]
Conjunto Cuban | Latin Jazz Conjunto Philadelphia performs music of pre-Revolutionary Cuba, including the Son, Cha-Cha-Chá and Bolero. The group's main aspiration is to pay homage to Cuba's deep and treasured musical history as well as infuse a new energy and fresh interpretation into the music. Conjunto Philadelphia was founded in 2010 by Jeff Torchon as a way to recreate the incredible music he heard on the Buena Vista Social Club album and documentary. To this end, Jeff has … [Read more...]
Laurin Talese Jazz | R&B | Vocalist Vocalist Laurin Talese has appeared in a host of national and international venues such as The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia's Academy of Music, The National, and, most recently, in front of a sold-out crowd at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, among many others. In 2016, she released her debut album, Gorgeous Chaos, to wide acclaim. The recording features modern-day jazz elite such as Robert Glasper, Christian McBride, … [Read more...]
David Underwood Jazz | R&B | Piano | Vocalist David Underwood is a vocalist and self taught pianist from Philadelphia. Hailing from a family of gifted vocalists and instrumentalists, David’s passion for music began at an early age. Since graduating from the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, and studying Jazz Voice Performance at Temple University, David has performed at a number of venues, including The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Academy of Music … [Read more...]
François Zayas Composer | Percussion | Latin Jazz Born in Cuba, François Zayas graduated from the Instituto Superior de Artes (ISA) in 1998. He taught there, while still a student and after graduation and was a member of the National Symphonic Orchestra of Cuba. During this time he collaborated on different projects with bands of diverse backgrounds, including Jazz, Hip Hop, and Rock. From 1994 to his establishment in the USA in 2006, he made several international tours with … [Read more...]
Trinidelphia Calypso | Soca | Funk | Reggae Trinidelphia has been pleasing audiences with their distinct combination of American and Caribbean styles since 2005, after meeting in Philadelphia while studying music at the University of the Arts. Fusing Trinidadian soca and calypso with latin jazz, reggae, salsa, and American top-40, they have developed a sound all their own over the past decade. Their unique and rhythmic arrangements of jazz and popular songs cast the steelpan in … [Read more...]
Luke Carlos O'Reilly Jazz | Soul | R&B | Solo Luke Carlos O’Reilly is an award winning pianist who has always had a passion for music. Whether it be Jazz, Soul, R&B, Gospel, Latin Jazz, Classical or any other genre, Luke was drawn to good music at an early age. When he was four years old, he and his mother started taking group piano lessons together. By age ten he had began to study the saxophone as well. It was the introduction of Oscar Peterson’s music at the age of … [Read more...]
Lee Mo Jazz | Soul | R&B | Original Music Lee Mo, born and raised in Baltimore, MD, is the musical product of many influences: gospel, jazz, and soul, to name a few. She started in church, singing with her siblings in the children's choir. At a young age it was clear that music was her gift, having written and composed songs before the age of ten years old. She grew up listening to Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Whitney Houston, and Ella Fitzgerald, who have all influenced her … [Read more...]