Ray J. Bennett is a native of Buffalo NY and studied for over ten years with John Rowland, former Principal Percussion of The Buffalo Philharmonic. Ray received his Bachelor of Music degree from The Crane School of Music, and studied under James Petercsak. While at Crane, Ray also had private lessons on vibes with Dave Samuels, Gary Burton, and Mike Mainieri. Ray has performed with many Western New York groups including The Buffalo Philharmonic, Amherst Saxophone Quartet,Buffalo Swing, and currently with The Chapel at Crosspoint Praise Band and his own duo/ quartet AuThEnTiC ViBe.

He has performed with nationally acclaimed artists, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, and The Temptations. As an Artist/Clinician for Ludwig/Musser Inc., Ray frequently travels to schools and colleges where he enjoys       teaching students and giving clinics. Ray is the General Manager of McClellan Music House in Buffalo NY and exclusively plays Musser Vibraphones,Marimbas, and Ludwig Drums.

Baia, a Western New York vocalist has been performing professionally for audiences over the past 25 years.

A passion for music and strong jazz influence was developed early on with studies in classical and jazz performance. Through college, he performed as drummer and vocalist with the University of Buffalo Big Band. While living and working in Europe, Baia had the opportunity to perform for audiences in both Germany and Italy. With style reminiscent of Sinatra, Connick, and Buble, Baia fronts his own musical groups ranging in size from a trio to a full 17 piece big band with jazz, latin and pop arrangements from the Great American Songbook and more performed by the top musicians in Western New York.

The Carol McLaughlin Quartet is a Buffalo-based Jazz group that has been performing at several venues for over fifteen years. These include the Albright Knox Art Gallery, Kleinhans Music Hall, The Tralfamadore Club (both old and new), the Downtown Room at the Statler, Calumet, Zuzans and Madigans in Elicottville. They have also played with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and tThe Colored Musicians Club. Carol McLaughlin is the leader of the quartet and has been on stage with Jazz Luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie, Melba Liston, Sam Noto and many others.

The C Street House Band is a contemporary jazz ensemble made up of a diverse group of Western New York's top jazz musicians. Led by jazz vibraphonist Dave Kayne, the ensemble performs a wide variety of jazz including original compositions, jazz standards, rock standards, and the newest music from  the New York City jazz scene. Drummer John Bacon Jr. is a first call percussionist who has performed with such musicians as Don Menza and Bobby Previte. Saxophonist Ken Kuriscak has played with the Tommy Dorsey Big Band and leads his own jazz group - It's Kenny's Fault.

Visit Blue Martini online at www.bluemartinijazz.com.

Trumpeter Chris Tedesco has distinguished himself as a jazz soloist, session player, chamber artist, orchestral player and music contractor for the last twenty-two years in Los Angeles.  Originally from Niagara Falls, Chris studied at Fredonia State University and then graduated from the University of Miami’s prestigious music school in 1983. Travels on the road included a short (un favorable) stint with the Glen Miller Band and a year and a half with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (favorable). Other travels included a year and a half on cruise ships, which finally led Chris to Los Angeles in 1987. As a busy freelancer Chris’s trumpet can be heard on numerous recordings for Movies, TV shows, Records, Commercials and live dates.

Some recent movies credits include Ironman, Finding Nemo, For Your Consideration, Four Christmas’s, Road to Perdition, Batman Begins, Best in Show, The Mexican, Streetfighter, After the Storm, Durango Kids, Winchell, Absolute Power, Riot, Star Trek-First Contact, Heaven and Earth, Cool World and Nixon just to name a few.

His Television credits include American Idol, America’s Best Dance Crew, Ellen DeGeneres, Gossip Girl, King of Queens, The Latin Grammy’s, MAD TV, The District, The Guardian, Star Trek TV series, Fox NFL, Fox NBA, Chicago Hope, Monday Night Football, Mike Hammer, SAG Awards, and National Geographic.
Chris has done literally hundreds of TV and Radio commercials – most recently the Lexus radio campaign and Cars.com.

His Record credits include Gnarles Barkley, Christina Aguilera, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra Jr., Harry Shearer, Joe Cocker, Natalie Merchant, Cheryl Bentyne from Manhattan Transfer, Dean Mora, Brian Setzer, Dwight Yoakum, Royal Crown Revue, Pat Boone, Diane Schuur, Cher, Paula Abduul, Robert Goulet, Thom Rotella, Juan Carlos Quintero, Ed Roscetti, Joey Altruda, The Disney Afternoon, Boom Shaka.

Among the many Live performances include such notables as Blood Sweat and Tears, Tom Jones, Shakira, Frankie Valli, Don Rickles, Johnny Mathis, Donna Summer, Michael Feinstein, Jim Belushi, John Tesh, The Moody Blues, Mel Torme, Sammy Davis jr., Frank Sinatra jr., Nancy Wilson, Jack Jones, Lionel Hampton, Joe Cocker, and many regional orchestras throughout the LA area.

Along with freelancing, Chris is the sole proprietor of “Angel City Music” where he specializes in contracting musicians for recording sessions and live work. He also enjoys private teaching and maintains a full roster of students and has conducted master classes and concerts at numerous Junior Highs, High Schools and Colleges. Chris has a classical CD titled “Introducing Chris Tedesco and a Christmas CD release titled “Joy to the World”. His recent jazz and big band release is called “Living the Dream”.

http://www.cindymiller.biz/

As originator and host of Buffalo's longest running guest artist series, drummer Danny Hull has enjoyed the unique distinction of accompanying some of the finest jazz musicians in the world.  Celebrating ten years next month and still growing in popularity, Dan Hull and Friends at Bobby McGee's has become a staple on the regional jazz scene, featuring both local talent and musicians of international repute.

For his appearance at the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, Danny will be featured on the main stage with guitarist Mike Kelly (Atlanta), pianist Pete Malinverni (New York) and bassist Danny Vitale (Rochester).

The Dave Siegfried Trio includes three talented working musicians; David Siegfried, Billy Thiele, and Michael Moser. These three work harmoniously together in performing at Artpark, musical fairs and other such events. Michael is a private teacher with a number of students and also plays at Shea’s with the Buffalo Philharmonic. This trio puts the spotlight on jazz and classical music.

www.dcssax.com

Don Menza is a powerful tenor saxophonist who, although able to effectively imitate most of the top stylists (from Coleman Hawkins to John Coltrane), has a distinctive sound of his own. Menza started playing tenor when he was 13. After getting out of the Army, he was with Maynard Ferguson's Orchestra (1960-1962) as both a soloist and an arranger. A short stint with Stan Kenton and a year leading a quintet in Buffalo preceded a period living in Germany (1964-1968). After returning to the U.S., he was with Buddy Rich's big band in 1968, recording a famous solo on "Channel One Suite" that utilized circular breathing and was quite classic. He settled in California and has worked with Elvin Jones (1969), Louie Bellson, as an educator, and in the studios. Don Menza, who has made far too few records, recorded as a leader for Saba (1965) in Germany, Discwasher (1979), Realtime, and Palo Alto (the latter two in 1981). ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.

Born in Rochester, New York, Gap (Gaspare) Mangione was raised in a closely-knit, Italian family where music poured from the radio and phonograph. Papa Mangione would regularly invite visiting musicians home to pasta dinners -- gatherings which were often followed by impromptu jazz sessions. By the time Gap was 13, he was playing the blues on the family piano and encouraging his brother, Chuck, to join him in improvisations; at 15, he was writing and arranging for local big bands. Eventually the brothers Mangione decided it was time to form their own band. They called themselves The Jazz Brothers.

Through the efforts of an admiring Cannonball Adderley, they began recording for Riverside Records. Their first album, The Jazz Brothers, was released in 1960. Two more albums, Hey Baby! and Spring Fever were released the following year and all three are now prized collector's items.

Gap earned his degrees from Syracuse University in 1965. Three years later, he released his first solo album, Diana In The Autumn Wind. This album has just been released on CD for the first time. The album also introduced brother Chuck's orchestral arrangements and presented Steve Gadd and Tony Levin in their first recording. Four years later they all performed on Gap's Sing Along Junk album on the Mercury label.

Gap has recorded four albums for A & M, She and I, Gap Mangione!, Suite Lady and Dancin'. The latter two were produced by guitarist/composer, Larry Carlton, who performed on both. In all, Gap has recorded seven solo albums and is heard on ten recordings with Chuck Mangione. From 1972 through 1982, Gap toured the United States with his group, performing in Mexico, Canada and Europe as well. He regularly appeared as featured guest artist on Chuck Mangione's orchestra tours and recordings.

Gap then returned to Rochester to begin a series of long term engagements. A six-part television series, "Gap's Generation," hosted by Gap Mangione was released and syndicated on PBS. Gap and Chuck came together again for the 25th Anniversary Reunion Tour of The Jazz Brothers which traveled coast to coast. Videotaped highlights of the tour were featured on CBS Sunday Morning. Danny DeVito's movie, "The Ratings Game," included Gap's playing of his composition She & I and other recorded performances with his trio.

The Lodge at Woodcliff in Rochester has become the new home base for Gap's solo piano and group performances. Since then, The Boys From Rochester, an album featuring Gap, Chuck and Steve Gadd was released, and Gap formed his Big Band. At Dizzy's request, Gap's jazz quintet opened for, and accompanied Dizzy Gillespie in concert; and the Jazz Brother's Hey Baby! and Spring Fever albums were reissued on CD. There were tours with Chuck Mangione: the small jazz group "Little Giants Reunion Tour" and "The Hat's Back" tour with a 100-member symphony orchestra and the original Jazz Brothers album was reissued on CD completing the set.

Gap has been guest soloist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and he and the Big Band played at the Blue Note jazz club in New York City with Chuck Mangione as special guest. He regularly appears at New York City's Knickerbocker jazz club with his own trio. He and Chuck often join musical forces on Chuck's tours or with Gap's Big Band. Recently, Famed rapper Talib Kweli sampled a section of Gap’s Diana in the Autumn Wind and made it part of his hit CD, “Quality.”

Gap continues to play solo piano and with his New Blues Band at the Lodge at Woodcliff and his Big Band has great success in concerts and in social settings. Gap’s CDs Planet Gap, Ardis, Diana in the Autumn Wind and Stolen Moments are now in release.

Janice Mitchell and Jim Beishline are both are natives of  Western New York, but performed throughout the world before resettling in this area.  Their gospel-blues backgrounds subtly flavor their polished jazz standard arrangements producing their unique sound.

Jim Beishline is recognized and respected among his peers for his superb style exhibited in his fine trio arrangements for piano, upright bass, and drums. Jim's piano styles span the full spectrum from blues to jazz and his versatile talent is featured on many local recordings.  He has performed with many local and nationally acclaimed artists, including: Muddy Waters, Mike Civisca, Spyro Gyra, Tony Galla, Chuck Berry, Sal Andolina, Billy McEwin, Danny & The Juniors, Chuch Harrington, Wendall Rivera, Patty Coyle, Jeff Hackworth, and Rick Strauss. Jim's quartet was voted the Top Jazz Group by Buffalo Music Awards 2000.

Janice's extensive musical background includes five world tours as a backup singer for Ray Charles (as a Raylette) . She has also provided backup vocals for Stevie Wonder, Fabian, and many more. Janice has also recorded with a long list of musical giants including Jimmy Smith, Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Les McCann, and many others. Her exceptional talents have taken her to the showrooms of Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas' casinos, as well as cruise ships. Movie fans may recognize Janice from her appearance and vocals in the Sidney Poitier film "Uptown Saturday Night."Janice was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame 2000.

The combined talents of Janice Mitchell with the Jim Beishline Trio distinguish them as one of the most outstanding musical teams in Western New York.   

Contact Information
http://www.janmitchell.com
http://www.jimbeishline.com

“Jody Sandhaus has a pure, sweet, full and strong voice that is well suited to interpreting standards. She always swings, her subtle improvising makes her interpretations seem personal and she knows how to tell a story.”  4 Stars, All Music Guide

“… a voice that is subtle and sensitive, and projects clearly a strong emotional tone...some of the most intimate vocals on the jazz scene!”  Five stars, CD picks of the Week JazzReview.com

 “… proves herself to be not only a first rate jazz singer, but an artist that is aware of who she is and where she fits within today’s jazz scene.  As much a result of her artistic integrity as her vocal skills, 'A Fine Spring Morning' is nothing short of a fine jazz release.”  Jazz Improv

Since the 1990s, Jody Sandhaus has been a fixture on the musical scene in New York, charming audiences there and around the world in such venues as Steinway Hall, Sweet Rhythm, 55 Bar, the Friar’s Club, WNYC’s  (NPR) “Around New York”, the 92nd Street Y, and St. Peter’s Midtown at Midday Jazz series in New York as well as The Seattle Art Museum (for Ear Shot Jazz), Women in Jazz Festival, Mendocino, CA, the Charles Ives Center for the Performing Arts (Danbury, CT), William Paterson University’s “Jazz It Up” series (Wayne, NJ), Albright-Knox Art Gallery (Buffalo), Rich Forum Theater (Stamford, CT), Mohonk Mountain House’s “Jazz On The Mountain” Festival, and in Rome, Italy at the Villa Celimontana Jazz and Image Festival and at that city’s Mississippi Jazz Club.  Born in Houston, Texas, Jody grew up in a musical family on New York's Long Island.  shw studeied voice and piano at the Cleveland institute of Music and is celebrated for her outstanding musicianship as well as her captivating vocal stylings.

Along with Jody Sandhaus’ live concert performances, her three solo recordings have gained Jody successively greater notice in the jazz press and beyond.  “Winter Moon”, on SaranacRecords, gave us our first opportunity to hear a collection of songs recorded as Jody feels them–personally, deeply and without artifice.  Reviewing “Winter Moon” inJazzTimes, Chuck Berg wrote,

“Jody Sandhaus is an evocative vocalist whose sultry after-hours delivery meshesperfectly with such exquisitely excruciating torch tales as “Not in Love”.  On medium paced gambols she flirts with breezy aplomb.”  Berg also remarked that, “clearly, Sandhaus is a singer who’s also a musician.  She phrases like a horn and swings with uptown élan.”

A native of Akron, NY, Laurie Bordonaro has been singing professionally for over 30 years. After studying at Ithaca College and Berklee College of Music, she traveled to Los Angeles where she worked as a singer doing studio work, parties, and teaching piano and voice privately. She has appeared on an NBC Christmas Special, sang with the Grammy nominated LA Jazz Choir and sang backup in the studio for Rosemary Clooney, Billy Barty and others.

Laurie also performed with her own band, doing her original material. Since relocating to Western New York, Laurie has been singing and playing piano at local clubs, as well as appearing with her trio at The Lewiston Jazz Festival (2005-2007), The Ellicottville Jazz Festival (2004 & 2005), and Jazz at the Albright-Knox (2006 & 2008). She has been a guest on "AM Buffalo" (Channel 7) and "Bebop and Beyond" (WBFO 88.7). Her debut CD, "A Jazz Songbook" is in rotation on WBFO and WKBW 1520AM in Buffalo. Laurie's latest album, "The Fine Line", which includes four of her original compositions, was released in August 2008.

Contact Laurie at 716-542-3860, www.myspace.com/lauriebordonaro, lauriebjazz@me.com

Las Vegas Jazz Vocalist and Performer Lydia Marks will sing selections from her debut CD titled "Lovelight Shining" an original jazz bossa nova, written by Ms. Marks and bassist Dr. Harry Jacobson and will also feature John Bacon, Drums, Mike Jones Piano and Ken Kursiak Sax at the this years Lewsitons Jazz Festival.
 
Lydia's recent performances include headlining at the "Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater" in "Broadway Song & Jazz" and as a featured opening act for "Lisa Lampanelli" at "Caroline's On Broadway in New York."  Lydia also attends SUNY Fredonia where she is continuing a degree in Music Education and studies classical voice with Dr. Patricia J. Corron. Visit http://www.lydiamarksjazz.com for more information. 

MAMBO KINGS, formed in 1995 by Richard DeLaney, are enjoying great success as Rochester's  foremost Latin jazz ensemble, and have rapidly earned a national reputation for their explosive blend of Afro Cuban rhythms and jazz improvisation. Since their debut in 1997 with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Conductor Jeff Tyzik, Mambo Kings have appeared as featured soloists at the Rochester International Jazz Fest, the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, the Music In The Mountains Festival in Colorado, and in concerts with the Baltimore,  Vancouver, Winnipeg, Dallas, and Oregon Symphony Orchestras, among others, performing original compositions and arrangements by Richard DeLaney.

The 2008 season featured performances with the Detroit Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and return trips to Vancouver and  Music In The Mountains, besides appearances with the RPO at CMAC and Corn Hill Landing on a barge on the Genesee River.

Mambo Kings released their third self-produced recording, Nostalgia, in July of 2008. Nostalgia, along with their previous releases -- Live! (2005) and Marinera (2003)-- continues to receive radio airplay in major markets throughout North America and Puerto Rico.

When you combine the amazing guitar dialogues of George Kane and John Murphy with the rhythmic foundations of bassist John Werick and drummer Jeff Meister, you have “Natural Elements.”  The group has established deep roots in the Buffalo area since 1993, performing for terrific audiences in some of the nicest venues in Western New York.  While heavily steeped in the jazz tradition, Natural Elements offers a sound with an almost universal appeal. This can be attributed to the many years of work devoted by Kane and Murphy to developing a sophisticated, yet listener-friendly repertoire of guitar arrangements that showcase the great Latin, classical and pop characteristics so integral to the instrument’s identity.  All four members of the group have shared the fundamental benefits of growing up musically in the Buffalo jazz culture.  These four musicians now have a focus on a unique sound that is jazz, and so much more. 

Bringing together some of the most skilled local players and talented professional music educators, the Pete Ciraolo eighteen big band both defies and surpasses expectations.  Not relying solely on standard familiar dance tunes, the band’s repertoire more closely resembles that of a concert jazz ensemble, with demanding and exciting arrangements from the libraries of Stan Kenton, Count Basie and Duke Ellington as well as local legends like Don “Red” Menza. 

For more information, visit the Pete's website at  www.pcbigband.com

“…audacious and exquisite..." Village Voice (NYC)

 “One listen and you’ll know why Malinverni is one of New York’s great pianists.”  Boston Herald

 "A thoughful pianist" New York Times

 “Pete Malinverni is a wild cat…he digs into the piano and emerges with exotic treasure.” The Philadelphia Inquirer

“When Pete Malinverni plays, the people listen”, noted Patricia O’Haire in the New York Daily News. That’s no mean feat in the Mecca of Jazz.  Since coming to New York in 1981 Pete has established himself as a highly respected presence in NYC and nationally as well as abroad in Europe, South America, and Japan, his work earning him entry in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz, as compiled by Ira Gitler and Leonard Feather.  Among his ten recordings as a leader many have appeared on Year's Best lists and have earned four star reviews in many publications, among them Down Beat, Jazz Times and Jazz Improv Magazine.  His recordings regularly reside in the Top Ten nationally for airplay.

Pete’s enthusiastic audience has found him on stages in NYC and around the world such as Weill Recital Carnegie Hall, the Caramoor Festival, Symphony Space, Rome’s Villa Celimontana Festival, Chile’s Santiago Jazz Festival and clubs such as Birdland, the Blue Note, etc.  Most often playing solo piano or with his trio, Pete has also appeared with the likes of Joe Lovano, Charles Davis, Vernel Fournier, Mel Lewis, Jody Sandhaus (for whom he serves as Musical Director) and other bright lights.  His celebrated appearance on NPR’s‘Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz’ was one to remember, for its exciting music and revelatory conversation.  Pete, a native of Niagara Falls who grew up in Lewiston, also serves as Minister of Music at the predominantly African-American Devoe Street Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY.  Pete Malinverni is a Steinway Artist.

www.rickstrauss.com

www.jeffhackworth.com

http://www.bandofliberty.af.mil/ensembles//BandEnsembleBio.asp?EnsembleID=101