Andrew Esch

Andrew Esch is a young trumpeter hailing from Hillsborough, North Carolina. He began his journey as a musician studying classical and jazz trumpet with revered trumpet player, Jim Ketch, the director of Jazz studies at the University of North Carolina. After meeting and performing with trumpeter Terell Stafford, he was offered to study at Temple University with the Mimsy Katz Musician Scholarship in the Boyer College of Music and Dance Jazz Performance department. He received the Billy Strayhorn Award in 2022, celebrating students in the Boyer Jazz program who displayed an appreciation of tradition, musicality, and innovation whilst inspiring other musicians

A. Christopher Johnson

Born: January 29, 1974

Playing original hard swinging Hard Bop, funky Post-Bop, Contemporary R&B, and Hip-Hop Jazz, with talented musicians, soulful but jazzy vocalists, and Spoken-Word Poets / Hip-Hop M.C.'s, in the great studios of both Westchester County, and New York City.

Staying sharp with all Jazz standards, and also keeping my " real Hip-Hop" breakbeat chops up to par, that I often incorporate slickly, into my Hard Bop, and funky Post-Bop swing, and obviously into my Contemporary R&B, and Hip-Hop Jazz grooves.

Greg Chako

Born: June 12, 1958

Greg Chako – Jazz Guitarist, Composer, and Bandleader

Cincinnati-born guitarist Greg Chako has spent over four decades performing, recording, and promoting jazz across the globe. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Chako has played with legends including Junior Cook, Curtis Fuller, Richie Cole, Herb Ellis, Jimmy Raney, and Delfeayo Marsalis. His career has taken him from the jazz clubs of Hong Kong and Singapore to festivals and concert halls throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States.

As a bandleader, Chako has released many acclaimed live and studio albums, ranging from swinging trios to horn-driven ensembles and intricate solo guitar works. His recordings — praised for their warm tone, lyrical phrasing, and inventive arrangements — have earned spots on the JazzWeek, CMJ, and RMR charts. Critics have described his playing as “muscular sound wrapped in gloves of velvet” (Jazz Journal) and “a wonderful showcase” (Just Jazz Guitar).

Reginald Lewis

Born and raised in Camden, New Jersey, Dr. Reginald Lewis was given an alto saxophone, from his grandfather, Philadelphia Jazz Legend, Robert “Bootsie” Barnes when he was in the 10th grade at the age of sixteen.

Dr. Reginald Lewis is a Cannonball Musical Instruments Artist and Educator. Dr. Lewis is the current Director of Jazz at Illinois Wesleyan University. Dr. Lewis also teaches Jazz Improvisation at Chicago State University. Dr. Lewis graduated from Jackson State University with his Bachelor of Music Degree, Master of Music Degree from the University of Manitoba in Canada, and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign. Dr. Lewis is also the current president of AAJC (African American Jazz Caucus).

Charles Greene

Charles Greene is a veteran Pianist, Keyboardist, Composer, and Producer who is originally from Detroit Michigan.

He has toured on keys with several Motown acts (the Spinners, Four Tops, Jimmy Ruffin), and also worked with Vic Damone, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Ernestine Anderson, Laura Lee, Marcus Belgrave, Jerald Daemyon, and many other artists.

Currently, Greene is recording new music projects.

Jonas Shofler

Born: December 19, 2002

Jonas Shofler is a jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger based in Boulder, Colorado. He leads the Jonas Shofler Quartet, known for delivering lively and versatile performances. The quartet's repertoire spans a wide range of jazz styles, allowing them to adapt their performances to be either energetic and prominent or subtle and ambient, depending on the occasion.

In addition to his live performances, Shofler has shared his music through various platforms, showcasing his skills as both a performer and composer. He also maintains a presence on social media, where he shares insights into his musical journey and engages with his audience.

Josh Couts

Born: September 9, 1987

Josh Couts is a versatile jazz guitarist and educator with a strong foundation in the essential sub genres of bebop and hard bop.  That foundation combined with his unique composition style and ever broadening approach to improvisation makes Josh’s music seem familiar yet new. 

Josh’s latest album The General Dance was released February 7, 2025. It features 11 original compositions in varying styles that highlight Josh’s broad musical influences from classic and modern jazz to Brazilian music.

Josh's other releases as a leader include All Things Green (2022) and Time Marching On (2018).  The 2022 release All Things Green features bassist Curtis Lundy, pianist Louis Heriveaux, and drummer Terreon Gully.

Jauron Perry

Born: August 5, 2004

Jauron Perry is an upcoming Detroit trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator in jazz studies at Michigan State University. Recognized with the Next Generation of Talent award, Jauron has gained extensive experience working with Detroit jazz masters like Rodney Whitaker, Regina Carter, Wendell Harrison, as well as sensations such as Jazzmeia Horn, Marquis Hill, and Wynton Marsalis, and performing as a current Geri Allen Gathering Orchestra Fellow. He has been featured in prominent events such as the Detroit Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jack Rudin Jazz Championship. Jauron recently won the 2024 Michigan Jazz Festival Rising Horn Competition, and also toured Japan at just 19 years old

Kim Peralta

Kim Peralta studied drumset at Havana Music School in Cuba under Alejandro Aguiar from 2017 - 2020. From 2021 - 2024 she played with the SUNY Orange Jazz Ensemble (MIddletown, NY.) Kim now plays with several groups, including  Blue Hearts Jazz Ensemble, Hudson Valley Jazzwomen and Unidos Latin Jazz.

Charles Gordon