Fifth Element

Active since: 2016

In classical thought, the four elements are earth, water, air and fire. The fifth element, quintessence or spirit, is captured in the music we love to play. A jazz quintet featuring Ron Johnston, Jack Gelbloom, Glenn Anderson, Kurt Lund and Nina Richmond.

Sparky Koerner

Born: November 26, 1948

Sparky is a trumpeter and leader of the ��Jazz Express�� www.sparkysjazzexpress.com performing in the Galveston/Houston Texas area. He performs regularly with Trio Du Jour at The Tremont House in Galveston. He is also a member of the group ��Jazz Sunday�� which performs at various churches in the area. When not performing or directing jazz you can find him in the principal trumpet chair of the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, and he has performed in the pit orchestras during the summers at the Galveston Island Outdoor Musicals or College of the Mainland��s Biggest Li��l Theatre in Texas. Sparky Koerner, professor of music, has been director of Jazz and Instrumental Studies at College of the Mainland (COM) located in Texas City, TX since 1983

The Great American Songbook

Gemma Sherry

Subtle, precise, engrossing and delightful, accomplished Australian vocalist, Gemma Sherry pours her heart and soul into her music. Her interpretation of jazz standards is unique and refreshing. Since moving to the U.S. eight years ago to study music in NYC, this soul-jazz singer, songwriter & saxophonist has released a number of house music records on various European record labels and has now released 4 studio albums. Her debut album was "Songs I Love" which she recorded in England with the exquisite pianist Billy Woodman. This was followed by the released of her short play EP "Sings Bossa Nova" which got her a following in Brazil

Deelee Dube

Born: January 15

Deelee Dube (/'di?li? 'du?b?/), born Sithandile Agatha Dube on January 15, is a British vocalist, songwriter, and musician of Southern African lineage.

On November 20th, 2016, Dube became the first British winner and recipient of a Sassy Award at the 5th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition hosted by Rhonda Hamilton and held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, which landed her a Concord Records contract and a chance to appear at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Onstage she was accompanied by a trio consisting of Sergio Salvatore (piano and musical director), Lisle Atkinson (bass), and Buddy Williams (drums). The panel judges included Sheila Jordan, Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride, Sheila E. Anderson, and Mark Ruffin. While in Newark, Deelee attended rehearsals and was greeted by co-producer of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Carl Griffin. This was followed by an interview with former WBGO radio broadcaster Nicole Sweeney before her triumph in the Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition at the NJPAC, where she also met and befriended Dorthaan Kirk and Linda Moody (wife of the late jazz saxophonist James Moody) as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival held at the NJPAC. Dube was presented with the Sassy award by NJPAC President & CEO John Schreiber (formerly Sarah Vaughan's road manager) and signed to Concord Jazz via Mark Wexler (former Chief Operating Officer at the Concord Label Group).

Pam Brennan

I was witness as a little girl to the Beatle's invasion of America. Thank you God for my being born at that time. I often wonder what it is like for people who missed the phenomenon. Music was a big part of my formative years. My Parents were both very talented Lindy dancers, so we grew up listening to Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, and of course, Frank. On many a magical Saturday evening I watched my Parents gliding out to their dance, my Mother��s Emeraude lingering ever so gently. I vaguely remember being 3 or 4 as my Mother sang her favorite, Embraceable You to us. Many years later she would play us the reel to reel tape and there I was cutting her off so that I could sing

Rob Mullins

Born: January 10, 1958

Rob Mullins has built his musical reputation in the Hollywood world with a solid string of releases in the contemporary jazz field over the past 30 years. His rise to international acclaim as a composer and performer began with his "Soulscape" project, which earned him a Grammy Nomination for composition. Since that time, Rob has gone on to record 37 CD's of his music (42 albums total), three of which went Billboard Top Ten. His latest releases include "Wise Man and the Ballerina" in 2023, "This Way Up!" released in August 2021 and "The Nearness of You" released in Nov 2018. In May of 2021, Rob was was selected by Hubert Laws to perform a Tribute to Chick Corea which was sponsored by Live with Carnegie Hall. The video is on Youtube. Rob has been the keyboardist and pianist for Hubert Laws for many years and is featured on many of Hubert's albums.

Rebecca Faiola

Born: May 6

Rebecca is originally from Dallas, Texas and studied music from a young age. As a young singer, she became expert at harmonies singing with her musical mother and in choirs. Her first instrument was piano where she learned the basics. From there she studied classical clarinet for years up through high school onto University of North Texas on a clarinet scholarship. She was also performing in bands singing and doing musical theatre. Moving to SF, she created many groups including the "Spoolie Sisters" who toured and ran in a 2 year run of "Nashional Anthem" an original musical at the 1177 Club atop Nob Hill winning a SF Cabaret Gold Award in the show! She is a mom and sings with her husband Frank, in a band JetBlacq and continues to perform in musical theatre and film

Brandon Tomasello

Born: February 9, 1992

Brandon Tomasello was introduced to the performing arts at a young age. In the year 2000 , when the charter school boom in Philadelphia began its ascent, young Brandon entered the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School as a third grade student. Even in the school��s first year in existence, it enabled Brandon��s unique voice a place to be discovered. While he had always been naturally talented, Brandon��s love affair with music began when he was in the fourth grade. There was nothing unordinary when Brandon came home from school one particular spring day. As he entered his home, his grandmother was busy fixing dinner and was enjoying music as she worked

Judy Chamberlain

Born: September 26, 1944

New York City native Judy Chamberlain began singing professionally at the age of 13, shuttling between Manhattan and Coastal Connecticut to work with and learn from musicians who had honed their skills during the early days of jazz, swing and rock n�� roll. Moving to California in 1980, she brought the spirit of dinner dances at The Plaza Hotel along with her. During a three-decade career on the West Coast she led her all-star band, produced offsite concerts for Pacific Public Radio��s K-JAZZ FM and was a busy music director who put top talent into legendary Southern California hotels, jazz clubs and restaurants