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 PETE ESCOVEDO
Legendary Percussionist Pete Escovedo is an artist who broke down the barriers between Smooth Jazz, Salsa, Latin Jazz and contemporary music. His name has been synonymous in the music industry for more than 50 years.
Born in Pittsburg, CA, July 13th, 1935, he began his musical journey while attending high school in Oakland, CA. At the age of sixteen, he began playing the saxophone and then discovered percussion which became his love of rhythm and his dream of playing Latin Jazz music.
After performing with various bands, in 1960 Pete and his brothers, Coke and Phil Escovedo formed the Escovedo Brothers Latin Jazz band, performing around the San Francisco Bay Area.
In 1970 Pete and Coke formed the band “Azteca” that toured the United States with Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. They recorded two albums on Columbia records which are now considered collectors items, “Azteca” and “Pyramid of the Moon”.
In 1972 Pete toured and performed with the Carlos Santana band and recorded three major albums, “Moonflower”, “Oneness” and “Inner Secrets”.
In 1978 Pete and daughter Sheila E. recorded two albums on Fantasy records “Solo Two” and “Happy Together” which were produced by Billy Cobham.
Pete’s versatility as a Percussionist has been featured in performances and recordings by a wide range of Artists such as Carlos Santana, Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock, Mongo Santamaria, Bobby McFerrin, Cal Tjader, Woody Herman, Stephen Stills, Billy Cobham, Anita Baker, George Duke, Boz Scaggs, Andy Narell, Al Jarreau, Ray Obiedo, Dionne Warwick, Marlena Shaw, Barry White, Angela Bofill, Arturo Sandoval, Poncho Sanchez, Chick Corea, Dave Valentine, Najee, Gerald Albright, Prince, and the list goes on. |
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 VINCENT HERRING
Vincent has developed into a virtuoso with a voice that is uniquely intense and vigorous with energy and direction. He is considered one of the premier saxophonists of his generation.
Vincent first toured Europe and the United States with Lionel Hampton’s big band in the early 1980’s. As he developed his musicianship he began to work with Nat Adderley a liaison that continued for nine years. Along the way he worked and / or recorded with Cedar Walton, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Hayes, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition, Larry Coryell, Steve Turre, The Mingus Big Band, Kenny Barron, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Carla Bley, and John Hicks. Other special concert and projects have included special guest soloist engagements with Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center. Vincent also appeared as a guest soloist at Carnegie Hall with John Faddis and The Carnegie Hall Big Band.
While amassing these impressive credentials, Vincent continues to develop his own voice and style. In addition to the legends and peers he has worked with Vincent is inspired by a collage of diverse musical influences. Which is reflected in his original band called Earth Jazz Agents.
Vincent is also involved in Jazz education. He is currently on staff at William Patterson University as well as conducting master classes and jazz workshops at Juilliard. Vincent has also conducted master classes on jazz improvising at Duke and Cornell Universities.
Vincent has recorded 15 CD’s as a leader and can be heard on over 200 as a sideman.
 Brass Monkeys Brass Band
Relentless drums, rumbling tuba, and wailing horns...nothing kicks the party into high gear like a smokin' brass band! Now you don't have to trek to New Orleans to catch second-line fever - the Bay Area's own BRASS MONKEY BRASS BAND (BMBB) brings the infectious energy and funky good times to the West Coast and beyond.
BMBB is a powerhouse 8-piece in the style of New Orleans' own Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass Band, with the traditional lineup of tuba, saxes, trumpets, trombones, bass drum and snare. BMBB's wide repertoire ranges from New Orleans classics like "When The Saints Go Marching In" to danceable favorites by a variety of artists from Led Zeppelin to Roger & Zapp, plus their own irrepressibly funky originals.
 Clairdee
“She’s got a winning blend of soul and swing. This woman can do it all,” is how the Los Angeles Daily News describes vocalist Clairdee. From the moment she appears on stage until her final bow, she has the audience hooked. Jazz Times says, “Clairdee is sassy, solidly assured and, in crowd pleasing form, has a whole lot of interpretive brilliance going on.”
With a beautiful voice and sparkling personality, Clairdee is a consummate entertainer who brings elegance and a contemporary touch to the popular music repertoire. From nightclubs and festivals, to concert halls from Tokyo to Paris, New York to Newport beach, Clairdee is right at home whether working a smoky rendition of a blues, coaxing the tenderness of a ballad, jamming to a soulful groove, or swinging through a jazz classic. She has opened for Boz Scaggs, David Sanborn, and Etta James, to name a few.
 David K. Mathews
David K. Mathews has been playing professionally since 1975, performing on the piano, Hammond Organ, electric piano, clavinet and synthesizers.
At age 23, Dave joined the legendary Oakland funk/soul group Tower of Power, replacing the original organist Chester Thompson. He toured with the band for two and a half years. Since 1990 Dave has been organist/pianist with Grammy Award winning queen of Rhythm & Blues, Etta James. He has appeared with her at most of the worlds' major jazz and blues festivals.
Dave has played on five of Etta's recordings,
- Life, Love and the Blues (Grammy Nominee)
- Heart of a Woman (Grammy Nominee)
- Matriarch of the Blues (Grammy Nominee)
- Burnin' Down the house - Live at the House of Blues DVD (Grammy Nominee)
- Let's Roll (2003 Grammy Winner)
- All the Way (Grammy Nominee)
Dave has appeared on international and U.S. television, radio, and video, including the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, the David Letterman Show, and Austin City Limits.
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