Vivek Patel

Born: February 6, 1986

Benjamin Boone

Born: October 19, 1963

Saxophonist and composer Benjamin Boone's Origin Records album with US Poet Laureate Philip Levine, The Poetry of Jazz, was called “an album of unmistakable… historic importance” (UK Vibe), “a master class in the combining of different art forms…an essay in complementarity” (All About Jazz), and voted #3 “Best Album of 2018” in DownBeat Magazine’s 83rd annual Readers Poll. DownBeat noted, “despite the star turns [guests Branford Marsalis, Chris Potter, Greg Osby and Tom Harrell], Boone not only distinguishes himself with uncluttered, affecting orchestrations, but by passionately balancing intellect and emotion.” All About Jazz echoed, “these guest artists might be the attraction for the jazz listener, and Levine for the poetry fan, but that would miss the extraordinary music both written and performed by Boone.”  The album was featured on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” a Staff Pick in The Paris Review, and on Amazon’s “Hot New Releases” list for months. He served as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Ireland (2022-23), Ghana (2017-18), and the Republic of Moldova (2005), and is a Professor of Music at California State University Fresno.

David Aus

Born: December 23, 1965

East coast native David Aus is a pianist, composer and arranger in Fresno, California. He is musical director for the monthly Jazz Mass at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fresno and plays regularly with the Jazz Composers Orchestra, Rumba 32, Lisa��s Big Night Out, the Stumble Weedz, his own trio Interspace, and other groups. He has performed with numerous Grammy award winning artists, including vocalists Carmen Bradford and Kevin Mahogany. In private music instruction, David focuses on working with proficient piano/keyboard students who are new to jazz. He has collaborated with saxophonist Benjamin Boone on several recording projects, including a current-ongoing-project with U.S

Ron Catalano

Born: June 30, 1962

Saxophonist, Clarinetist, Flautist, Bassist

Jeanette Harris

Born: March 9, 1979

Jeanette Harris was born and raised in California��s post-Gold Rush town of Fresno, smack in the center of San Joaquin Valley. Reared by her mother Annette Harris and her church organist father Floyd Harris �C both of deep spiritual faith and intense believers in the art of music - Jeanette and her older brother Michael Harris received their loves of God, family and each other honest. ��When I was 5, my father put a guitar in my hands,�� Jeanette begins. ��A year later he switched me to piano with a private teacher. I didn��t like it. Reading treble and bass clefs was so overwhelming I would cry but it did give me a great jumpstart

Revolutionary Album Set To Blend Latin Rhythms With Big Band

October 7, 2013

Tumbao 21, a collaborative music project, is making headway in the Latin music scene, with an album that will pay homage to Latin Big Band, ��The Big Three�� (Tito Puente, Machito, and Tito Rodr��guez) and West Coast Latin musicians, creating a new paradigm for Latin music. Tumbao refers to a drum or bass pattern of Afro-Cuban ...

Armen Nalbandian & Little Dragon Perform May 24th

May 15, 2009

Armen Nalbandian Music Director for Poetry in Motion II

April 6, 2009

Reprising his role as Music Director for Poetry in Motion, pianist/composer Armen Nalbandian will be performing new original compositions with a new ensemble. Created specifically for the April 28th Poetry in Motion II event will feature Eva Scow, Ray Moore, and members of the Park. Nalbandian's compositions are being written to feature many poets including: Joshua ...

Armen Nalbandian to Celebrate the Life & Music of J Dilla

February 2, 2009

On the anniversary of the passing of James “J Dilla" Yancey, Armen Nalbandian will perform as part of a celebration of his music and life. Nalbandian will perform with his new ensemble, and joined by a special guest. Others performers include Johnny Q & Fashawn. All Proceeds go to the Maureen Yancey Foundation, the mother of ...

Armen Nalbandian New Ensemble at 'Day One' Inauguration Celebration

January 15, 2009