Jeff Haas

Born: May 9, 1949

Jeff Haas learned to crawl in the organ loft of Temple Israel in Detroit, listening to his dad play. He grew up surrounded by classical cats rehearsing chamber music with his dad, Karl Haas. At five, he was at the piano under his dad’s watchful eye. In his early teens, Jeff stumbled upon his first live Motown review (Marvin, Martha, The Temps, Four Tops, Supremes and Little Stevie Wonder) at the Michigan State Fair. He had gone rogue. The Motown music scene became Jeff’s playground, hanging out at the Grande Ballroom, Easttown and the back door of Bakers Keyboard Lounge, where Jeff could catch the jazz vibe even though he wasn’t old enough to get in.

No Trio for Cats

Active since: 2012

No Trio for Cats organically reinvents the language of the jazz piano trio, transforming mainstream sonorities through a compositional approach that reimagines the swing pulse to explore new sonic horizons. Active since 2012, the Roman trio—Andrea Saffirio (piano and composition), Andrea Colella (double bass) and Matteo Bultrini (drums)—is one of the most distinctive presences on the contemporary Italian jazz scene.

The group was born from the artistic meeting of three musicians united by a desire not to renounce jazz tradition, but to use it as a starting point for innovative sonic explorations. The close rapport developed over the years has allowed the trio to create a personal language that defies mainstream categories, organically integrating influences ranging from late-nineteenth-century symphonic music to elements of Black music—from Motown culture to hip-hop sonorities—without ever allowing these crossovers to become clichés or to overwhelm the project's jazz essence.

George Colligan

Born: December 29, 1969

George Colligan is a New York based pianist, organist,drummer, trumpeter, teacher, and bandleader, who is one of the most original and compelling jazz artists of his generation. An award-winning composer (Chamber Music America/Doris Duke Foundation grant recipient, RACC Grant Winner) and player (winner, Jazzconnect.com Jazz Competition, DownBeat Critics Poll Winner), Colligan is highly in demand as a sideman, having worked with players like Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, Cassandra Wilson, Ravi Coltrane, and many others, both on the bandstand and in recording sessions (appearing on over 150 CDs). He has released 31 recordings full of his intelligent writing and impressive technique. His latest CD on the Ubuntu Label is called”Live in Arklow” and features Darren Beckett and Dave Redmond. Colligan’s musical style incorporates everything from showtunes to funk, from free improvisation to 20th century classical music. His performances include dazzling technique as well as mature restraint. Colligan was on the faculty of the Juilliard School for two years and is currently an Assistant Professor at Portland State University. He is currently a member of Jack DeJohnette’s New Quintet.Recently, Colligan started playing the Hammond 44 Melodion(melodica). He also started a popular blog called jazztruth(jazztruth.blogspot.com).

Maria Kaushansky

Maria Kaushansky is a pianist residing in New York City. Born in Russia, she immigrated with her family to Israel, then to Canada in her childhood. Maria holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Toronto. 

Maria has been residing in NYC since 2015. As a bandleader, she has established and held long-term residencies at venues including Back Bar at Eventi Hotel, Gotham Restaurant, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Adalya Restaurant, and Le Petit Parisien Supper Club. She has also performed at Knickerbocker Bar and Grill, Django Jazz Club, Sweet Afton, IVY Room, The Last Word, Flatiron Room, Zero Bond, Parker's NYC, The Players NYC, Campbell Bar, Nublu, Yale Club and Harmonie Club, among others.

Anton Mikhailov

Born: November 7, 1999

Anton Mikhailov is a composer, pianist, and arranger based in Tbilisi, Georgia. Born in Horlivka, Ukraine, he studied classical and jazz piano at the Murmansk College of Arts and went on to develop a versatile voice in contemporary instrumental music—ranging from modern jazz and improvisation to scoring for film and games.

Rooted in classical tradition and driven by a strong improvisational instinct, his music blends rhythmic energy, cinematic harmony, and experimental textures. His influences span hip-hop, indie rock, and electronic music as well as twentieth-century orchestral writing and avant-garde improvisation.

Andrea Angiolini

Born: September 5, 1965

Angiolini Bros. Quartet - The Art of my Heart
Original Modern Jazz

Il Quartetto Angiolini Bros. ha vissuto nel corso degli anni diverse evoluzioni, anche dal punto di vista compositivo. Le nuove composizioni trovano ispirazione in molteplici esperienze musicali dettate dall'ascolto di materiale discografico, ma soprattutto dalla frequentazione di concerti di grandi musicisti della storia del jazz che, fortunatamente, abbiamo potuto assaporare dal vivo. Il repertorio appena proposto rinnova il sound con l'apporto di basso elettrico, pianoforte elettrico e tastiere. L'arrangiamento mette tutti gli strumenti in primo piano per creare un ottimo equilibrio. Si compone prevalentemente di brani originali inediti, con qualche inclusione di standard jazz, opportunamente arrangiati secondo il nuovo sound di questa formazione. Il lavoro di arrangiamento di alcuni brani originali nasce dal sapiente mascheramento di strutture armoniche di brani famosi, come spesso facevano i grandi musicisti nel corso della storia del jazz. Ottenendo così brani completamente nuovi che si adattano perfettamente all'intenzione musicale del nuovo quartetto. Il suono risulta così fresco e piacevole all'ascolto, catturando l'interesse del pubblico.

Rikard From

Born: April 14, 1972

Hi! I'm Rikard From. Musician, singer/songwriter, composer and producer. Diy artist. I released my first album Piano in 2017 unaware of what would happen. 8 years later with over 60 million streams and 130 million views on YouTube. 7 albums, one EP and at the time of writing a total of 140 released songs.

My most successful album is Sun of June. Recorded in my home on an old swedish upright piano. Through the years I've modified the piano to get a tone and feel that match my ideas. 
I record everything myself and play all instruments. On the Sun of June album there's a mix with drums on keyboard and real drums by Per Mikaelsson. All upright bass parts played by me.

Lew Stone

Born: May 28, 1898

Lew Stone was a prominent British bandleader, pianist, arranger and composer during the 1930s and 1940s, known for writing sophisticated arrangements for various dance bands (including his own) and popularising American jazz rhythms in Britain's own swing era. Although his name isn't as widely known today as that of, say, Jack Hylton's, some of his songs are still popular today, partly thanks to the television series Pennies from Heaven.

Jim Holman

Jim Holman is a pianist/composer/educator rooted in Chicago who has performed with Eric Alexander, {{m: Paul Wertico = 13447}}, Ira Sullivan, Ari Brown, Claudio Roditi, Jimmy Chamberlin (drummer for the smashing Pumpkins), Frank Catalano, Roger Humphries, Cecil Bridgewater, Yotam Silberstein, Donald Harrison, John Moulder, Abe Laboriel, Dennis Carroll, Clark Sommers, Richie Cole and Dana Hall and many more.

Holman’s upcoming album features New York tenor legend, Eric Alexander, along with Clark Sommers, and Tim Davis. His discography also includes two albums on the Delmark lable: “Blues Skies” feat. Ira Sullivan and Roger Humphries, and “Explosion” feat. Richie Cole and Frank Catalano. His most recent release, “Faith,” features alto powerhouse Greg Ward II and Barrett Harmon, and showcases Holman’s compositional perspective.

Carroll Gibbons

Born: January 4, 1903

Carroll Gibbons was a distinguished American-born pianist, bandleader and composer who became a defining figure in British Dance Band music during the 1930s and '40s. Best known for his elegant work with the Savoy Hotel Orpheans, Gibbons brought a refined jazz sensibility to popular music, blending American influences with a uniquely British charm. His smooth arrangements, stylish piano playing, and keen ear for melody earned him acclaim both in the UK and abroad. Gibbons also composed several enduring tunes, including “A Garden in the Rain”, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of light jazz and popular standards.