JOE MCBRIDE

As a jazz-R&B vocalist/instrumentalist, McBride offers an earthy, down-home, yet sophisticated sound. "My musical roots are definitely church driven and I have studied the masters of Bebop and straight ahead jazz. I like to incorporate the blues and jazz in my approach to soloing," states McBride who further adds, "there really isn't a style that I haven't embraced and as I live my life, all the elements seem to come out in my performances. I was a piano player before I was a singer, but I always wanted to sing," McBride recalls. "I began playing the piano at four. As a kid, I wanted to sing, but was shy. It was only during high school that people urged me to express myself as a vocalist."

When a heavy touring schedule lets Joe McBride hang his hat in his home town, he can usually be found in a cozy club setting entertaining internationally recognized jazz or pop artists touring through the Dallas area. Known as the "go and see" guy in Dallas has afforded Joe the opportunity to record with some of the biggest names in music -- not to mention the fact that he's an incredible jazz pianist and vocalist, possessing an infectious R&B /Pop vocal style and generous wit. Refusing to confine himself to any particular style of music, Joe keeps his listeners and fellow musicians guessing and always pleasantly surprised.

KENNY BLAKE

When folks think of Pittsburgh, they no doubt think of Three Rivers, steel, The Steelers and The Pirates, but Kenny Blake's musical life has been all about making the world hip to the city's great jazz scene. When he entered Columbia University, he had two choices, pre-med and music. Thinking back to his formative years--he picked up the clarinet at age 10 and was playing sax in various school and band situations from 12 years on--he made what clearly became the right decision. As he started playing more and more, he came to love the idea that "it's something you do, not something you talk about, a non-academically disciplined activity." When he graduated, his first inclination was answering an ad in the Village Voice for a band that needed a sax player. He got his proverbial feet wet touring with them "at the seediest hotels and clubs imaginable."

He cites his real attraction to jazz as "the fact that within its parameters, I could forge my own style. My soul hybrid sound came from playing both genres, which were never mutually exclusive anyway. The strong grooves of R&B engage your heart, while jazz makes sure you don't deny your brain intellectual stimulation. I have no problem mixing genres and styles because they are all part of the life I lead. Once you master the basics of the horn, it's up to the artist to find his own little spin on things."

GERALD VEASLEY

“I grew up in the heyday of Philly International Records, which had guys like Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, The Intruders and quiet a few others,” Veasley emphasizes. “I’m often asked why so many great musicians came out of Philadelphia. One answer is that Philadelphia audiences are harder to please, and I’ve found that to be quite true. In Philly, audiences really know what they’re listening to, and they’re not going to give you
applause or recognition easily. So an artist coming out of Philly is likely to have certain creative skills because they’ve already been toughened up. Philadelphians try harder because they sit in the shadow of New York.”

Paying dues locally helped to prepare Veasley for the challenges of touring with Grover Washington, Jr. beginning in 1986, and with keyboardist/pianist Joe Zawinul’s band The Zawinul Syndicate from 1988-1994. Over the years, he has also played with pop-jazz band Special EFX and worked as a sideman for guitarists Larry Coryell and Pat Martino, pianist McCoy Tyner; Charlie Rouse (Thelonious Monk’s tenor saxophonist of choice), and avant-garde bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma.

“I always have to surrender to Joe Zawinul’s influence,” Veasley notes. “We became very close friends. Joe was my mentor and my teacher—like a student of Plato, I wanted to learn from the master. Working with Zawinul, your skin would get a little thicker, and you’d learn to deal with criticism a little better. That’s a good skill to have out here in the cold world. You would get very honest input with Zawinul.”

KEITH CARLOCK

Born and raised in Mississippi, Carlock studied at the world renowned jazz school of North Texas State in Denton, Texas. Keith is both a Yamaha Drums and Zildjian cymbal endorsee and now makes his residence in New York. Working and recording with the likes of Steely Dan, Wayne Krantz, Will Lee, Paula Abdul, Pamela Williams, The Blues Brothers and others. Carlock is known for his various styles ranging from R&B, Soul, New Orleans Funk, Pop, Jazz, Fusion, Hip-hop and rock.