Matthias Van den Brande: Fields of Color

by Artur Moral
May 24, 2025

A non-harmonic quartet raises unexpected questions Can an essentially orthodox musical effort accurately reflect the most unconventional art? Is a concept album more attractive than others, simply by being one? Can a written review meaningfully convey insights about a score inspired by the creations of painter Mark Rothko, whose canvases, in turn, were conceived to express ...

Alex Coke-Carl Michel Sextet Release 'Situation' on Play On Records

February 4, 2025

The Alex Coke-Carl Michel Sextet features Coke (woodwinds) and Michel (guitar) with Elaine Barber (concert harp), Bob Hoffnar (pedal steel guitar), James Suter (acoustic bass) and Carolyn Trowbridge (vibraphone). This distinctive six piece composer��s forum from Austin, Texas, breaks down barriers of musical genres, fearlessly exploring the possibilities involved in combining musicians from diverse musical backgrounds. ...

Danette McMahon

Standing behind a microphone at the age of seven, Danette McMahon first shared her love for singing, appearing onstage in Cleveland, Texas, where she grew up. In junior high school, she became devoted to the clarinet, adding this to her passion for music. The clarinet won her a position into The University of Texas marching band and her voice garnered her the invitation to sing with the Jazz Band, second semester. Instead, she made a decision to accept a scholarship from Houston Baptist University, majoring in music and drama.

The summer before her freshman year, she was selected to join the chorus line at The Houston Music Theatre, where her career in the music industry became unstoppable. From 1972-1974, she toured throughout the USA, Canada, & St. Thomas, Virgin Islands with the Vegas show group, Sidro’s Armada, and in 2010 was inducted into the Las Vegas Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with this band. 

Melvin Johnson

Born: October 5, 1985

Houston-born keyboardist/composer Melvin Johnson is an artist as adept at creating his own dynamic expressions as he is a most valuable team player in realizing the visions of others. Church-grounded and college-educated, he has trained himself thoroughly to be an all-around musician who doesn’t just play his instrument but understands the fundamentals of all that he plays and composes, as well as his role as the leader of his band. At 36 years old, Melvin recently released his debut album, Little Red Wagon, a conceptual piece inspired by wisdoms passed down to him from his adopted father, Robert Lloyd Parker, as well as his own musings on life, family and spirituality. Musically, the project covers the full spectrum of African American musical styles, presented in configurations of solo, duo, trio, quartet and quintet. Melvin states, “These first fully arranged instrumental songs do not belong in any genre box, be it Jazz, Classical, Choral, Gospel, etc. All of that and more is in this! I love the space of creating at will.”

Ermelinda Cuellar

What a Difference a Day Made marks American vocalist Ermelinda Cuellar��s first widely-distributed release. Born to Peruvian parents in Texas, Cuellar is well-known to Houston audiences playing both jazz and Latin music in the region. Her background, bandstand experience, and training in opera result in vocals with clear intonation, rhythmically precise improvisations, and passionate story-telling in both English and Spanish. Listeners remark that her vocal quality is reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald. The authentic Latin grooves provided by some of Texas�� top musicians provide a heartbeat for this album that she hopes will ��lighten your soul��

Leon Spencer

Born: November 1, 1945

Leon Spencer was an American jazz organist from Houston, Texas. He played piano with David Newman and organ with Melvin Sparks. Spencer recorded for Prestige in the early 1970s with Buddy Caldwell, Idris Muhammad, Melvin Sparks, and Grover Washington Jr.

Jalen Baker

Jalen Baker, born in Washington DC and raised in Houston, TX, is a vibraphonist, percussionist, educator, and composer whose early training involved both classical and jazz. He decided rather early on to focus on jazz and in May 2017, Jalen received his BA in Jazz Studies from Columbia College Chicago. While matriculating at Columbia College Jalen studied with percussionist Jarrett Hicks. He distinguished himself as a jazz vibraphonist and received several accolades including outstanding soloist at both the Notre Dame and Elmhurst Jazz Festivals and was one of two students chosen to represent Columbia at the Arcevia Jazz Festival in Arcevia Italy

2020: The Year in Jazz

by Ken Franckling
January 2, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic put the jazz world in a tailspin, just like the world at large, in 2020. And there is plenty of uncertainty going into the new year about what “new normal: might emerge from the darkness. International Jazz Day, like so many other things, became an online virtual event this time around. Pianist Keith ...

F2F Music Foundation forms partnership with Gilbreath Communications to promote opportunities to aspiring young musicians

December 14, 2020

Can improvisation be taught? According to F2F Music Foundation, the answer is a definite yes. F2F Music Foundation, a Houston area-based non-profit performing arts organization, is teaming up with Gilbreath Communications, Inc., to encourage young people to pursue their full potential musically and academically. Gilbreath will act as F2F��s public relations arm to inform young people ...

Josh Sheiman

Born: January 10, 1985

Josh Sheiman��s musical journey began while living overseas in the Netherlands. He received a guitar at age 12 and was immediately drawn to the instrument. Inspired by guitar legends such as Jimmy Page and Jimmy Hendrix, Josh looked to gain a combination of virtuosity and creativity. Upon moving back to Houston, Josh began studying with John Edward Ross. His interest in improvisation led him to a love and appreciation for jazz. While in high school, he won ��Excellence in the Study of Music�� award at Episcopal High School as well as the ��Duke Ellington�� award at the Summer Jazz Workshop. After being accepted to many of the top music schools in the nation, Josh chose to pursue an undergraduate degree in jazz guitar at the University of Miami