Eric J. Richards

Born: October 7

Eric Richards LINKTREE

Eric Richards is a widely performed composer/arranger, conductor, trombonist and educator active in a wide range of musical media and genres. As a composer who defines himself as a “contemporary American eclectic”, he has written music for groups ranging from rural high school marching bands to chamber music ensembles to nationally recognized big bands and symphony orchestras. Eric’s music has been heard on six continents in performances and recordings by professional and academic ensembles in major concert venues across the United States, Europe, Australia, Asia and India to include:
• National Symphony Orchestra
• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
• Boston Pops Orchestra
• Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• New York Pops Orchestra
• Chiara String Quartet
• US Army Field Band and Jazz Ambassadors
• USAF Band and the Airmen of Note
• USAF Academy Falconaires
• US Army Band (Pershing's Own)
• US Marine Band (The President's Own)
• Sydney Jazz Orchestra (Australia)
• University of North Texas Wind Ensemble
• California State University – Long Beach Concert Jazz Orchestra
• University of Northern Colorado Jazz Lab Band I
• Shanghai Conservatory of Music Jazz Ensemble
• Carnegie Hall (New York)
• Midwest Clinic (Chicago)
• Montreux, North Sea, and Nice Jazz Festivals.

Brian Felix

Born: May 12, 1977

Brian Felix is widely recognized as an accomplished and versatile jazz keyboardist. He was co-leader of OM Trio, an acclaimed San Francisco-based jazz-rock group that toured internationally between 1999-2004. Brian is active today as a performer and recording artist with his Brian Felix Organ Trio and other groups. His new album, Level Up, is due out in March 2025, and features Felix on organ, Tim Fischer on guitar and Evan Martin on drums. Felix is based in Asheville, NC, USA.

Felix has performed at notable venues and festivals, including the Fillmore Auditorium and Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, the Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge in NYC, and the Aberdeen Jazz Festival in Aberdeen, Scotland

Volker Meitz

Berlin based pianist / keyboarder Volker Meitz is involved in several projects from Jazz to experimental or popular music. Due to his eclectic approach, Volker has always been hard to pigeon-hole to any one specific genre - but he actually likes it that way. Having started out composing chiptunes in the 8-bit computer scene, he went on to produce electronic club music incorporating jazz musicians in the 1990's, played in one of the first drum'n'bass live bands in Europe, was musical director of Sonar Kollektiv Orchester and recorded freely improvised, yet heavily processed music with Projekt Schwedt.
Today, his projects include SpaceKrautDubJazz band THE SHREDZ (w/ Eric Schaefer, John Dennis Renken, John Eckhardt), Free Imrov quartet KEMD (w/ Silke Eberhard, Almut Kühne, Yorgos Dimitriadis), SouljazzFusionStep combo GRAND COULOIR as well as duo and solo programs

Conor Cantrell

Born: July 26, 1990

Born in Galway, Ireland, Conor embarked on his professional musical career at the age of fourteen, establishing himself as a versatile multi-instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter. His development as an artist has been profoundly shaped by his beginnings as a trumpet player and the opportunity to study under and receive masterclasses from some of the world’s most distinguished musicians and educators, including Steve Waterman, Gene Calderazo, Phil Robson, Dave Liebman, Mark Turner, Rufus Reid, Jonathan Kreisberg, Ari Hoenig, and Jerry Bergonzi, among many others.

Throughout his career, Conor has had the honour of performing and recording alongside various internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles such as The Commitments, Imelda May, The Republic of Loose, the Brexit Big Band, Brian Priestly, the Matt Roberts Bigband and Louis Stewart.

Eric Hollaway

Eric Hollaway, known online as “thatbassvoice,” is a renowned bass vocalist celebrated for his rich, resonant voice and captivating performances. With a passion for music that spans genres and generations, Hollaway has carved a unique niche in vocal artistry.

Hollaway’s journey into the world of music began at an early age. His natural talent was evident from the start, and he quickly became involved in various musical activities during his school years. His deep, powerful voice set him apart, and it wasn’t long before he decided to pursue a career in singing.

Kerilie McDowall

Born: December, 1966

“Well there may be 8 million guitarists in the world, but Kerilie McDowall is certainly one of the best. Guitar Player magazine calls her playing 'smooth and elegant,' to which I would add, intelligent and original.” —Paul Grant, Host, CBC Hot Air, Vancouver, BC. ( June 12, 1999) The Kerilie McDowall Sextet as recorded/produced by Neil Ritchie

"Kerilie McDowall fronts a first-rate jazz quintet...Labels listen up...a very talented musician." “…an appealing Blue Note ambience.” “Smooth, elegant playing...warm relaxing tones.” “…impressive are her composing skills.”
—Guitar Player Magazine

Eclectic

By Jonathan Karrant

Label: Virtuoso/Audioglobe
Released: 2023
Track listing: Pure Imagination; First Time; Once Upon a Time; Love Dance; Mr. Bojangles; Spring Can Hang You Up the Most; The Song Is You; The Tracks of My Tears; I Imagine; What It's Worth; Secret O'Life

Jonathan Karrant: Eclectic

by Dave Linn
September 21, 2023

Born and raised at the foothills of the Ozarks in the old western town of Fort Smith, Arkansas east of the Arkansas River, Jonathan Karrant fell under the influence of his artistic mother. As a child, it is said he sang for hours every day, making his public debut at the age of seven at his ...

Sally and Brian

Active since: August 22, 1962

Hallgrim Bratberg

Born: August 16, 1969

Hallgrim Bratberg (b. 1969) is a guitarist based in Oslo, Norway. He used to be a sideman for Norwegian singer/songwriters such as Kari Bremnes, Anne Grete Preus and Silje Nergaard, but these days his main focus is composing and performing his own music.