The Luminous Black Quintet

LUMMIE SPANNSaxophonistSaxophonist, Lummie Spann grew up in Hartford, Ct, where he began playing saxophone in middle school at the age of 10. His initial attraction to the instrument came from his parents, who listened to artists like Grover Washington and David Sanborn. A few years later, he enrolled in the music program at the Artists Collective, a community performing and visual arts school in Hartfords North End, founded by legendary jazz saxophonist and educator, the late Jackie McLean. During this time, he was taking jazz saxophone lessons with instructor Kris Jensen and playing in the Artist Collective Youth Jazz orchestra where he was able to study and cultivate relationships with some of the areas best musicians including, saxophonists Jimmy Greene, Wayne Escoffrey and Abraham Burton; trombonist, Steve Davis; pianist, Zaccai Curtis; and bassist, Luques Curtis. In high school, Spann attended the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts where he studied under master jazz bassists, Dave Santoro and Paul Brown. Upon graduating high school, Lummie received a full tuition scholarship to the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford where he continued his studies under the tutelage and mentorship of Jackie McLean. He also studied with world-renowned bassist, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, pianist, Michael Weiss, and pianist, Harold Danko. He was also able to travel to New York City to study with legendary jazz masters, Frank Foster, Charles Davis, and Dr. Donald Byrd. In 2001, he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Music. He also established his own band, which he currently co-leads with bassist, Dezron Douglas, called the New Jazz Workshop. He also began teaching as an adjunct professor for the Hartt School.In 2006, Lummie completed the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Artist Residency at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Selected from an international pool of over 350 jazz composers, Spann was among 20 musicians chosen to write, arrange, perform, and record original jazz compositions for a worldwide audience; while under the guidance of legendary jazz masters including Curtis Fuller, Dr. Nathan Davis, the late Dr. Billy Taylor, George Cables, Chip Jackson, Carmen Lundy and Winard Harper. Later, he also recorded an album project entitled, Live & Direct. In 2007, Spann began graduate study at the SUNY Purchase in New York under the tutelage of master multi-reedist, Steve Wilson, trumpeter, Jon Faddis, and bassist, Todd Coolman. In 2009, he received his Master of Music degree in Music Performance. In 2011, he was the recipient of the Jackie McLean Fellowship awarded by the University of Hartford. Lummie was the first performing artist to receive the honor.So far in his performance career, Lummie has had the opportunity to perform for many important figures including President Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Bill Cosby and Merle Evers. He has performed with such jazz notables including Louis Hayes, Cyrus Chestnut, Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Winard Harper, George Cables, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Jeremy Pelt, and the Curtis Brothers. He performs nationally and internationally at many notable jazz clubs, festivals and other venues. Lummie Spann is currently an assistant professor of music at the Jackie McLean Institute at the Hartt School, University of Hartford.

weblinks:
www.joshevansmusic.com

"A good dose of personal humility and devotion to a higher power can de-clutter the
life and chosen form of artistic expression. In the case of pianist Sharp Radway, a pure
spirit of artistic expression is revealed..."
~DAN McCLENAGHAN
All About Jazz
Sharp Radway is a pianist, prolific composer, arranger, recording artist, and author
residing in New York City. He remains in demand throughout the country and abroad. He
is a protégé of Dr. Randy Weston. Sharp is a formidable and seasoned bandleader, with
decades of experience heading various groups of his own (ie. his quintet, quartet, trio,
Sharp Radway's Gospel Jazz Group, Sharp Radway's Big Band, and various vocal and
instrumental duos.) Sharp has worked with several Jazz luminaries. Among them are
Yusef Lateef, Benny Golson, Red Holloway, Billy Harper, Slide Hampton, Curtis Fuller,
Reggie Workman, James Spaulding, Louis Hayes, Candido Camero, Benny Powell,
Eddie Henderson, Hamiet Bluiett, Peewee Ellis, Steve Turre, Fred Wesley, Bucky
Pizzarelli, Diane Schuur, Joe Lee Wilson, Kevin Mahogany, Nnenna Freelon, Leopoldo
Fleming, Russell Gunn, Nicolas Payton, Randy Brecker and many more. He served as
music director, pianist, and arranger for The Celebration of Lionel Hampton Big Band
and The New York City Ska Orchestra. In addition to playing the piano he is also a
prolific composer and arranger, having composed over 1,000 pieces.
Sharp has appeared in film with Mos Def, Beyonce Knowles, Cedric the Entertainer, and
several others in the major motion picture Cadillac Records. He also acted and performed
in the historic Off-Broadway play The Connection under the direction of Judith Malina.
In addition to being a seasoned performer he is also author of the book Musicianship 101
(What They Don’t Tell You In School), published by Outskirts Press. In addition to
lecturing and conducting seminars centered around his book, Sharp has decades of
experience teaching extensively, and currently continues to enjoy teaching a roster of
both professional and non-professional musicians of all ages.
Sharp Radway has recorded on a host of recordings as a sideman. His latest release is a
tribute to Black women and is entitled “Black Woman - A Conversation”. This notable
recording charted among the top 100 Jazz records played upon release.
A list of Sharp's New York Venue appearances include (but is not limited to): The Blue
Note, Dizzy's Coca Cola Club, Harlem Stage, Small's Jazz Club, Birdland, Smoke Jazz
Club, The Iridium, Sista's Place, Jazz 966, The Lenox Lounge, Minton's Playhouse, St.
Nicks Pub, Showmans, Swing 46, Fat Cat, The Kitano, Zinc Bar, and a host of others. He
has performed in a litany of music festivals and venues both domestically and
internationally and remains high in demand.
SharpRadway.com

The New Jazz Workshop or NJW was formed in September of 2000 by Dezron Douglas, and Lummie Spann. At the time they were both students of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford. At the university was where the first incarnation of the band was formed. Along with Htfd natives Damion Curtis, Ray McMorrin, DC native Marcus Jackson, and NY native James Burton the band began its journey into the hearts of all local and tri state musicians. They have had the pleasure of opening for Slide Hampton at Paul Browns Monday Night Jazz Series in hartford in the summer of 05. As well many of the members, old and new, have been performing, and making a name for themselves, with quite an impressive list of Jazz Luminaries including Michael Carvin, Pharoah Sanders, The Dizzy All Star Band, Winard Harper, Carl Allen, Ravi Coltrane, Horace Silver, Hank Jones, Steve Davis, and the LCJO. Soon NJW will be in the studio working on their debut record (long overdue) in hopes to let the world know what the deal really is. Be on the lookout for the return of unadulterated, cold blooded, hard pressed SWING. For those who want to know, the calendar represents the whereabouts of bassist Dezron Douglas, as well as NJW info.
Weblinks:
www.myspace.com/dezrondouglas

Over a career that has spanned more than two decades Oakland, California native
Darrell Green has become a master drummer and prolific sideman, sharing stages with
leading jazz artists; from Blue Note vibraphonist Stefon Harris to saxophonist Red
Holloway. Though jazz is his primary focus, Green is conversant in every genre from
straight-ahead jazz to Latin and West African music.
He developed a style rooted in modern post-bop, but retains elements of his gospel and
classical lineage. As a soloist, Green is known for his effortless, masterful technique and
captivating rhythms that bring the music to life, taking audiences on a spiritual journey.
In 1997 Green landed a scholarship to attend California Institute of the Arts, where he
began a comprehensive study of Jazz and West African performance. After returning to
the Bay Area to work with the dynamic Miss Faye Carol, he moved to New York and
began working with trumpeter David Weiss, saxophonists Antoine Roney, Sherman Irby,

and the Myron Waldon/Darren Barrett Quartet. Shortly thereafter he became a sought-
after musician for both session work and live performances.

Green currently works with his trio and quartet which has performed all over the world.
He currently tours with Cassandra Wilson, Pharoah Sanders, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Antoine
Roney, Charles Toliver, Sherman Irby, Steve Turre, Wallace Roney, Faye Carol, Amina
Figarova, The Black Arts Collective, and Jeremy Pelt. He is one of the most in-demand
drummers in New York, Europe, and Japan.
For more information, visit www.darrellgreen.net