Midnight Channel

Active since: 2022

Midnight Channel (Lethbridge, AB) made a powerful debut with their album “Gemini Sunrise”, hitting #10 on the National Earshot! Jazz Charts, establishing themselves as a rising force in Canada’s jazz scene. Their sound blends the boundary-pushing spirit of 1960s cosmic free jazz with the vibrant energy of modern jazz. Infused with elements of contemporary post-bop, Japanese fusion, and neo-soul grooves, Midnight Channel brings a sound that’s both rooted in tradition yet refreshingly modern—perfect for longtime jazz fans and first-time listeners alike. Their live performances are an explosion of energy, soaring improvisations, and contagious joy, transforming the stage into a sacred space where audiences are held spellbound. 

Nicholas Mycio

Born: September 23, 1999

Nicholas Mycio is a New York City based guitarist whose unique sonic palette combines the foundational language of Jazz with modern harmonic innovations brought about in the 21st century. A musician with a clearly defined vision, Nicholas has always strived to play in the same manner in which he speaks. To connect his thoughts to his improvisation perfectly, and perform with the same depth and meaning as a thoughtful conversation.

Nicholas is endorsed by Luka Zaletelj, and Zaletelj Guitars.

John Alvey

Nashville born drummer John Alvey has been a regular of the Nashville jazz scene for almost two decades. He can be found playing in different musical incarnations in Nashville or on the road. John has worked with Joel Frahm, Rahsaan Barber, Roland Barber, Rod McGaha, Don Aliquo, and he has performed alongside Gregory Tardy, Brian Lynch Jeff Coffin, Bob McChesney, and Jason Marshall.

Outside of jazz, in Nashville’s rich country and roots music scene, John has recorded and/or performed with Taj Mahal, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, Sierra Hull, Shannon Labrie, and Vince Gill, having worked in musical fields as diverse as recording drums with string quartets, to playing shows in both historic and modern rooms: The Ryman Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry, The Bluebird Cafe, The Station Inn, Rudy's Jazz Room, and The Nashville Jazz Workshop

Pat Bianchi

Born: December 7, 1975

A modern ambassador of the mighty Hammond B3, organist Pat Bianchi demonstrates a deep knowledge of jazz-organ history yet draws from a wide range of other musical influences. The result is a unique and creative voice that acknowledges the tradition while looking beyond at the same moment. 

His musical tenacity paved the way for 9 CD releases as a leader, extensive tours through out the United States and Europe, appearances at numerous jazz festivals and most recently opening for Steely Dan for 3 consecutive east coast tours. In addition to being a prolific bandleader Bianchi has appeared as a guest on over 30 recordings. The award winning organist has also enjoyed tenured membership in the bands of some of the most highly revered artists in jazz including; Pat Martino, Lou Donaldson, Joe Locke, Ralph Peterson Jr. and Chuck Loeb. 

Erlend Albertsen Basspace

Active since: 2020

Erlend Albertsen Basspace

What science have discovered until now, is that the prerequisites for life seems to be a rarity, a non-comformist in the general activity of matter and whatnots in the universe. If you compress the history of the universe into 365 days, Earth would be born in the beginning of September, the human race at 1145pm on December the 31st, and a human life of 80 years would correspond to 1/3 of a second. How do you use that time? 

Doublebassist and composer Erlend Olderskog Albertsen has summoned a handful of dear colleagues from the Norwegian jazz scene for an expedition towards new musical habitats. The crew consists of personalities that are associated with names such as ECM, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Espen Berg, Stian Carstensen, Jaga Jazzist, Marthe Lea, Wako and Miman.

Hard Bop Messengers

Active since: 2018

Live At The Last Hotel, the upcoming release from John Covelli’s Hard Bop Messengers, is a jazz album that literally tells a story. The visionary, original, genre-defying musical journey that reminds you of what jazz can be, was born from a residency at the REAL Last Hotel in downtown St. Louis. Each song paints a picture with bounce and bustle, that takes you to a place and time that somehow feels both nostalgic and modern. The lyrics tell the story of the trials and tribulations of a fictional hotel through the eyes of its employees.

Covelli knew he had something special when he assembled this group and he gives them all room to shine. Nick Savage, Chris Meschede, Luke Sailor, and Ben Shafer are, like himself, of the esteemed Webster University jazz program. Matt Krieg, originally from St Louis, puts the vocals where they need to be to tell Covelli’s lyrical tale. Covelli has played in dozens of bands over the years and learned just as many styles.

David Borgo

Born: February 8, 1970

David Borgo started playing alto saxophone at the age of 8. He had formative jazz experiences growing up in the Washington D.C. area, and went on to earn his B.M. in Jazz Studies at Indiana University, under the tutelage of renown jazz educator David N. Baker.

After graduation, David began touring widely, and his travel experiences in Turkey, Israel, Morocco, and more, sparked an interest in "world music" and the academic field of Ethnomusicology. He went on to earn M.A. and Ph.D. degress in the field from UCLA, studying with one of the world's preeminent Ethnomusicology faculty.

Mike Clark

Born: October 3, 1946

Mike Clark gained worldwide recognition as one of America’s foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock in the early seventies. His incisive playing on Hancock’s “Actual Proof” garnered him an international cult following and influenced generations of drummers. While Mike digs the funk, he consider jazz his first love, and playing that music is what he says feeds his soul.

Besides Herbie Hancock, Mike has performed and recorded with such well-known jazz greats as Christian McBride, Chet Baker, John Scofield, Nicholas Payton, Tony Bennett, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Donald Harrison, Eddie Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Vince Guaraldi, Woody Shaw, Albert King, Larry Coryell, Mike Wolff, Wallace Roney, Billy Childs, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Chris Potter, Bobby McFerrin, Nat Adderly, Oscar Brown Jr., and Gil Evans and his Orchestra.

Alistair Martin

24 year old Alistair Martin is a Trumpet player and Composer from London. After attending The Brit School, he studied Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music. Alistair cites Miles Davis, David Bowie and Kanye West as influences, in the way that they cross genres, take risks and have evolved as artists. Alistair��s ambitious debut album Oblivion features some of London��s most exciting young jazz musicians; Quinn Oulton, Will Barry, Dave Storey and Daisy George. The concept album has been hugely influenced by current social and political issues, such as climate change and conflict, as well as many others.

Aaron Bahr

Born: July 29, 1989

Aaron Bahr is a trumpeter, composer, and teacher living and working in New York City, where he performs both as a bandleader and sideman. His latest album release is titled Places, Real and Imagined..

Since moving to New York in 2015 Bahr has performed as both a sideman and bandleader at some of the best Jazz clubs in the city, including Smalls, Fat Cat, and Zinc Bar. He was a member of the Jazz Quintet Groove Merchant, recording on their self-titled 2016 album and touring Japan in March 2017. He also performs regularly with Pianist/Composer Tetsuro Hoshii's group "The Doggy Cats." Bahr��s own current septet project features his original compositions and arrangements, played by an international cast of innovative, imaginative, and virtuosic musicians.

Aaron has also earned accolades for his big band writing, winning both the 2015 SF Jazz HUT Foundation Alumni Commission award and the 2015 Jazz in the Neighborhood Emerging Composer Competition