Kevin Peter Jones All-Star Band / Members
Kevin Peter Jones
DrummerBorn and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Kevin Peter Jones started playing drums at the young age of ten-years old. Kevin was deeply inspired to pursue music after being mentored by Phil Ballmaier, (a drummer and friend of the family), who taught him the components of feeling and playing jazz from the heart. He has played with multiple musicians such as, Bunky Green, Wayman Tisdale, Will Kennedy, and Dave Brubeck, Ernest Tibbs, Jeff Richman, Gary Fukashima, Brandon Fields, Roger Smith, Reggie Graham, Andre Manga, Lenny Castro, Mike Miller, Asami Ueda, Russell Farrante, Jimmy Haslip, Eric Marienthal, Eli Staples, Cheikh Ndoye, Dave Kline Band, Gary Granger, Benji Poreki, Moe Daniels and Stanley Cooper to name a few - www.kevinpeterjones.com
Jeff Lorber
KeyboardistBy the late 1970s, trailblazing keyboardist/composer/producer Jeff Lorber had become a prominent figure in the new movement known as jazz fusion – a marriage of traditional jazz with elements of rock, R&B, funk and other electrified sounds. Lorber and his band, the Jeff Lorber Fusion, first honed their craft in the Portland, Oregon, club scene and rapidly expanded their reach to a national and international audience via a combination of complex harmonies, unconventional time signatures and compelling rhythms. In subsequent years, Lorber dropped the term “fusion” from his billing as the movement evolved into what is currently known as contemporary jazz. Still, he continued to explore the innovative, improvisational potential of grafting other musical forms to the jazz idiom. Official Website: www.lorber.com
Randy Brecker
TrumpeterIt's time to meet another member of the Kevin Peter Jones All-Star Band Concert: RANDY BRECKER (Trumpet) - Seven time Grammy nominee in 1975 to 1981 and triple-Grammy nominee for ‘The Return of the Brecker Brothers’ and a double-Grammy winner with ‘Out of the Loop’. To learn more about Brecker's music check out his official website: http://randybrecker.com/ Kevin Peter Jones All-Star Band Concert January 16-19, 2014 8pm and 10pm Blues Alley, Washington DC Buy Tickets Here: http://www.bluesalleylive.com
Cheikh Ndoye
BassistCheikh NDoye is a bassist, composer, arranger and accomplished musical artist whose music is a rich fusion of jazz and world music influences stemming from his West African heritage combined with his love for classic and contemporary American jazz. Originally from Senegal, Cheikh’s fascination with the diverse, rich sounds and rhythms of the local music scene started in his prime age. Early in his life Cheikh played the piano, and was attracted to many jazz greats. His love for Jazz put him on a historical path of investigation into this genre, again at quite an early age. He has played and recorded with great artists such as Russell Ferrante, Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal, Karen Briggs, Lao Tizer, Arshak Sirunyan, Dean Brown, Mike Stern, Leni Stern, Kevin Peter Jones and Randy Brecker a number of whom appear on his first CD, an album entitled “a Child’s Tale.”
Lenny Castro
PercussionistLenny Castro is one of the world's most in-demand percussionists, and he has done his part to inject percussion into rock and pop music. "I've always been into the Latin feel, because of my heritage. But I was the only kid on the block that was listening to Hendrix, classical, country and western," he says. "Percussion can go in almost any kind of music. You have to be open-minded enough to try it." Castro was first influenced by Armando Peraza, Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, the Rascals and the Beatles. He learned by playing and watching others play at parks and beaches in New York. At the age of 15, Lenny began playing LP fiberglass congas. "Now, I gotta have wood, and I gotta have skin," he laughs. "And the stuff that LP makes is phenomenal."
Dean Brown
GuitaristFor close to 30 years guitarist/composer/arranger/educator Dean Brown has been an integral part of the global fusion and contemporary jazz scene. Those who have seen and heard Dean Brown perform are immediately struck by the passion and energy he puts into each note. His compositions are thoughtful and intense, yet lyrical vehicles for individual as well as group expression. Dean has recorded and/or toured around the world with his own projects and legendary artists such as: Marcus Miller, The Brecker Brothers, Billy Cobham, David Sanborn, Bob James, George Duke, Roberta Flack, Joe Zawinul, Lenny White, Kirk Whalum, and Steve Smith’s Vital Information. Brown has original compositions and arrangements featured on albums for Les McCann, Dennis Chambers, Ricky Peterson, Steve Smith’s Vital Information, and Billy Cobham, among others.
Eric Marienthal
SaxophonistCurrently, Eric is signed to the Peak Records label, owned by Rippingtons founder Russ Freeman. "When Russ asked me to join the Rippingtons, he also offered me a deal with his label and I jumped at it. Playing with the Ripp's has been incredibly fun for me and the band is awesome!” Eric's first 2 recordings on Peak were "Turn Up The Heat" and "Sweet Talk". The later of which featured the title track that was co-written by Eric's 14 year old son, Robert. "Rob plays guitar and wrote this song which was originally more of a folk song. After I put my two cents in it turned into more of a smooth jazz tune and I don't think Rob will ever forgive me!" Eric's newest CD is his 3rd for Peak entitled "Got You Covered". It's an amazing collection of some of Eric's favorite tunes and was recorded live in the studio. "Of all 10 of my records, this is my favorite. It features Russell Ferrante, Peter Erskine, Russ Freeman, Chick Corea, Dave Carpenter and Luis Conte.
