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|  NYCK Henry (Music Producer/DJ Mix Master)
NYCK Henry, a native New Yorker, has been in the music industry for more than 25 years. Born in Harlem Hospital, Mr. Henry started studying classical piano as a young boy and by the tender age of 7 years old, performed at New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall. Later, he moved to the West coast to study at Santa Monica College. While in LA, he discovered his love for being a DJ and took the LA club scene by storm. In 1982, he landed his first studio session with Lamont Dozier, a music writer for Motown. He then joined, KACE Radio in Los Angeles, was voted the Number One DJ in LA and was later credited as being THE FIRST person to ever do remixes on the radio. In 1996, he opened his own production company called Rhythm Lounge Entertainment for theatrical and club events fusing music, dance, and the arts. Since then, his company has worked with such notables as Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Chaka Kahn and has produced theatrical productions performed at Theater for the New City, the Producer's Club, Theatre of the Riverside Church, and the Tribecca Performing Arts Center in addition to international club venues in London, Paris, the Virgin Islands, and Cyprus, Greece.
 Chris Rob (Keyboard/Music Arranger)
Chris Rob hails from Chicago, Illinois. He performs with John Legend and while on “The Get Lifted” tour, he took position as Musical Director. His stage credits as an opening act and supporting musician include Kanye West, Prince & the New Power Generation, Elton John, Snoop Dogg, John Mayer, Ashford & Simpson, Jill Scott, The Roots, The Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, Roberta Flack, Common, Michelle N'degeocello, Cee-lo, Anthony Hamilton, Patti Austin, and Pevin Everett. His television appearances include The Grammy Awards, "Oprah", "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "The Office", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", "The Ellen Degeneres Show", "Jimmy Kimmel", The Soul Train Awards, "Entertainment Tonight", "Raaymond is Laat" (Amsterdam), and "Top of the Pops" (Amsterdam, London), and Jules Holland (London). For more information about Chris Rob's own CD, Mental Notes, visit www.chrisrobmusic.com. 
Mansa Gory (Trombone/Horn Arrangements)
Born in New York City and raised in Cheraw, South Carolina, Mr. Gory studied music at the University of South Carolina and later received his Masters in Music Education at Lehman College. He has also had the wonderful opportunity of studying with such greats as Wycliffe Gordon, Ronald Davis, and Wayne Downey. Mr. Gory has had the prestigious honor of marching in the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corp in addition to receiving several awards including his induction into the Concorde Drum and Bugle Corps Hall of Fame. Mr. Gory currently is the Director of bands of both Mount Vernon High School and the award winning Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band. He continues to perform as a member of the metal band, IKILLYA and the hip hop/reggae/rock band, A Broken Code. 
Lenny Underwood (Jazz Piano/Keyboard)
Lenny Underwood has played keys with some of the best musicians and music groups in the world. His work has been recorded on numerous albums for some of the most sought after stars including Whitney Houston, Madonna, Common, Lalah Hathaway, Da Mob, Beatnuts, France Joli, Jeffrey Osbourne, Jazzy Jay, Mica Paris, Unlimited Touch, Willie Colon, and Faith Evans. In addition, Mr. Underwood's key playing talents can found in movies including Beat Street, Volume 2. Mr. Underwood's work can also be found on the official JAZZ AIN"T DEADTM CD recordings and MP3s. Teodross Avery (Tenor Saxaphone)
Saxophonist, Teodross Avery, hailing from Northern California, received his Bachelor's degree from Berklee College of Music and a Master's Degree from NYU. He has released 5 albums, two of which were critically acclaimed and released on GRP/Impulse Records. In addition to playing with countless Jazz musicians such as Betty Carter and Dee Dee Bridgewater, he has played and/or recorded with Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Mos Def, The Roots, Shakira, and The Brand New Heavies and was featured in the motion picture, Love Jones. Mr. Avery's musical stylings can be heard on the official JAZZ AIN'T DEAD™ CD recordings and MP3s. For more information about Teodross Avery and his recordings for his own CD, Bridging the Gap, visit www.teodrossavery.com. 
Travis Antoine (Trumpet)
Travis Antoine was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He trained at the Juilliard MAP Program, Manhattan School of Music College Prep program, the Litchfield Jazz Summer camp, and the Vail Jazz Workshop. He continues to study under Wynton Marsalis. He has performed with Wyclef Jean and has been the featured trumpet covering the character, Louis Armstrong, in the Off-Broadway production of Billie’s Blues, a stage play about the legendary Jazz singer, Billie Holiday. Travis currently performs with the bands Mike Willis and the Call and the Bailen Brothers. 
Jimmy Lopez (Percussionist, Congas)
Jimmy's sounds have echoed at the majority of Manhattan's A-list venues and clubs including Pacha, Sol, Duvet, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Quo, Marquee, Crobar, Room Service, Lotus, PM, Azza, Cielo, Arena, Sullivan Room, Cafe Wha? Botanica, C.B.G.B's, Nublu, Pier 63(Turntables On The Hudson), and many more. Currently Jimmy is a member of the Jessi Colasante band, Boom Box Repair Kit, And the leader of his own musical group " World Sound Traveler." He has performed with top artists such as Dj Spooky (That subliminal kid), Maya Azucena, Captain Planet, A.D.M, The Cafe Wha? house band, Nortec Collective, Mexican Institute Of Sound, Vikter Duplaix, Tabu, Kwala, Nickodemus, Rich Medina, Chris Annibell(afrokinetic), Digable Planets, C-Knowledge, the Gyspy Kings, Arielle Dombasle(famous french actress/singer), Joe Battaglia and his new york city big band, Conrado Martinez, and Jilted Romeo.
 Gabriel King Jennings-Roberts IV
(Percussionist, Djembe)
Gabriel King Jennings-Roberts IV was born and raised in Bronx, NY. The man of many instruments began performing in the heart of New York City's Orchard Beach at the age of five. Here, he learned the fundamentals of drumming as well performing for mass crowds. He trained at the Rudolph Steiner School of Music where he studied the Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, as well as furthered his training and skills in percussion. Gabriel has also attended the New York Military Academy in Cornwall & Hudson NY, which gave him the opportunity to perform in parades, such as Columbus Day Parade,Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Memorial Day Parade. As a percussionist, Gabriel's all time goal is to change, unite, and inspire the world through his love of music!
Internationally known for her work with her own show, Madwoman A Contemporary Opera, M. has also had the pleasure of performing alongside some of the finest artists in the business including, Aretha Franklin, Maxwell, Eric Benet, Chaka Khan, Kenny Lattimore, El Debarge, Freddie Jackson, DJ Spooky, and Simply Red to name a few. From her very first venture into the world of creative arts, M - artist and person – has carved a bold and brilliantly unique path through the field of traditional and contemporary music as well as into new and uncharted artistic territories. With a powerful six octave range, a captivating and mesmerizing stage presence and a rich musical and lyrical palette, M has excited audiences across a broad and diverse demographic. One area of music that has been instrumental in providing a creatively charged space for M's compositional inspirations is ‘free-jazz'. An environment full of improvisation, the pushing of boundaries, the merging of styles, the bold and daring release of divergent energies, the free-jazz movement has enabled M to experiment with sounds and tones and textures in the development of her vocal skills. Jazz Ain't Dead is proud to have M. perform and record with us. For more information about Madwoman, visit www.madwoman2.com.
 Diandra Camille Patrick (Female Vocals)
Diandra Camille Patrick, born in Brooklyn, NY to a Trinidadian mother and Jamaican father, is a descendant of Reggae and Calypsonian Royalty. Her Grandfather, Lord Creator’s music is still very relevant in today’s grooves. You can hear his music samples in newer artists music like Paris Hilton’s debut album as well as the group UB40. Lord Creator was one of the artists responsible for the high success and visibility of Roots, Reggae, and Dance Hall Mega Distributor VP Records. Diandra has followed in the path of her grandfather’s legacy, yet she continues to carve her own road.
Diandra is a classically trained singer and accomplished business woman. At 12 years old she started her musical career at the Harlem School of the Arts working under the cream of the crop performing at such places as the Rainbow Room and the Waldorf Astoria for the Canadian Ambassador. She went on to NY’s famed LaGuardia Performing Arts H.S. Diandra also holds a Bachelor in Marketing from Virginia Union University.
You can currently see her starring and performing in a variety of venues and plays such as Dreamgirls for the New York’s Parks and Recreation in conjunction with Nia Theatrical Productions or sitting in with her favorite bands at the Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC. Her professional roster goes beyond singing to Television Commercials and on the business end- Marketing for TV Networks such as Fox 5/My9 and BET/Viacom.   Kenyetta Coffee (Female Vocals) Billy Davis (Male Vocals) ** Jazz Ain't Dead Band Musicians Subject to Change About the JAZZ AIN'T DEADTM BAND **The Jazz Ain't DeadTM band is composed of a rotating roster of the most talented musicians in the Jazz and R&B scene. We strive to promote as many musicians as possible and find it wonderful that our musicians can find the time to play for other events and recording artists in addition to ours. Because of this, we occassionally pull musicians from our talented roster to make substitutions and/or sometimes invite major, musician and vocal recording artists to "sit-in" as special guests. Presenters, please note that a full band consists of the following: Vocalists, Piano, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxaphone, Tuba, Drums, Congas, Bass, Live DJ | 
AUDITION NOW FOR JAZZ AIN'T DEAD We are always updating our roster for musicians to join the JAZZ AIN'T DEAD family. We particularly look for young, exemplary musicians with excellent musicianship and improv skills in jazz, funk, and hip hop as well a "look" that exudes a lot of style and urban character, i.e., tatoos, interesting hair styles, and sleek urban chic or rock star clothing. If you are a musician and would like to audition for our roster, please email us your photo, credits, and sample audio files via mp3 email attachments or links from MySpace, etc. to info@JazzAintDead.com. All auditions are held in New York City and are by appointment only. |
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