Artists Represented / Gallery
Jesse “JTJazz” Thompson
Jesse Thompson aka “JTJazz” is an up and coming prolific and energetic musician, composer, and bandleader. JT is a native of Dayton, Ohio which is also known as “The land of the Funk”. Being the son of a father who was a professional jazz drummer and a mother who was a church organist/pianist, JT got his gift naturally and started playing the drums as his first instrument at the age of five. By the time JT was twelve years old, he played a total of thirteen instruments, the piano being one of them.
Reggie Foster Jr
JUSTIN LANCASTER
(saxophonist)
Honing his chops as a second-line band horn player early on, Justin developed his improvisation technique by soloing to eager listeners who demanded a certain musical energy during Mardi Gras season.
Interweaving those experiences with that of his straight-ahead jazz upbringing and his love for contemporary jazz greats such as Grover Washington had a profound effect on him. It was then that he found his niche in combining smooth riffs with a subtle hint of funk and blues.
A native of Galveston Island, TX, Justin is part of the new era of contemporary jazz. Drawing from multiple genres for inspiration, including pop, R&B, hip-hop, bebop and house, the saxophonist continually finds a sound that is familiar, yet very different.
On the heels of his second single, “All In,” Justin continues to explore and push the boundaries of new, contemporary jazz.
Stay tuned for the upcoming full-length album – – Nightcap.
Riya Davis
(vocalist)
Mr Luis Gonzalez
and his salsa band el Tsunami de la Salsa
Luis González…professional trumpeter and music director, born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on March 15/54. With a career of around 50 years in music, the career of this trumpet player and director began in 1968 when he belonged to the Orquesta Juvenil in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (where he grew up). Four years later (1972) he returned to Puerto Rico and stood out as a trumpeter for the Orquesta Concepto Latino Arecibo, with which he accompanied Celia Cruz, Tito Allen, Santitos Colón and Adalberto Santiago, among others. He then entered the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music.
Already in full evolution in the musical staff for the 80s, he traveled to New York City where he lived and worked in internationally famous orchestras such as: Ray Barretto (his undeniable mentor in art), Luis “Perico” Ortiz and the Conjunto Clásico . In 1991 he returned to Puerto Rico again and was also part of outstanding internationally renowned orchestras such as: Super Apollo by Roberto Roena, Willie Rosario, Tommy Olivencia, Bobby Valentín, Puerto Rican Power, La Mulenze and Jerry Rivera, among other salsa greats. He was also the Musical Director of salsa talents such as: Lalo Rodríguez, Luisito Carrión, Anthony Cruz, Wichy Camacho and Carolina La O.
In 2009 he created his own orchestra (Luis González y su Orquesta “El Tsunami de la Salsa”) made up of 12 outstanding professional musicians, most of them with a vast musical career; both locally and internationally. Which is currently considered one of the best salsa orchestras in Puerto Rico.
In 2010 he released his first album called “Tributo A Un Gigante“ , which was distinguished and recognized as one of the 20 most outstanding musical productions of the year, by the National Foundation for Popular Culture of Puerto Rico. A second production in 2015, «Si Te Preguntan…» , repeated the same feat and led him to gain notoriety in the diffusion waves of local and international salsa.
www.eltsunamidelasalsa.com
Buff Dillard
(trombonist)
International Recording Artist Buff Dillard of Charlotte NC is a native of Greenville SCand have worked with many Grammy Award winning artists and producers. He was featured as a soloist on Pastor John P. Kee’s “Strength” and “New Divine Destiny” projects. He has also shared the stage with other award-winning gospel artists such as Helen Baylor and The Williams Brothers.
During his musical career, he has shared the stage with iconic jazz artists such as Pieces of a Dream, Count Basie Orchestra, Boney James, Alex Bugnon, Walter Beasley, Kim Waters, Brian Simpson, Nick Colionne, Ben Tankard as well as R&B legends such as the SOS Band, Jasmine Sullivan, Dave Holister, Kevon Edmonds of After 7, Faith Evans and Glenn Lewis.
With over 38 years of experience, Buff has been inducted into the historic standard of excellence biographical publication “Marquis Who’s Who in America” and continues his musical career as an entertainer, trombonist, producer, performer and as an independent international recording artist.
