Winard Harper & Jeli Posse

Downbeat magazine says, "Winard Harper is one of his generation's greatest standards bearers. Harper's goal seems plain and simple - propel the ensemble with a dynamic sense of swing." Harper summarizes Jeli Posse's swing savvy, world spiced flavor when he shares, “Everything builds on everything as the values and traditions are passed down. From the African roots to today, many ingredients have been thrown into the pot. The band continues to expand on the the ground laid by the medicine men and messengers before us." Harper's lifelong jazz apprenticeship has taken him around the world. It includes playing and recording with many greats, including Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Dr. Billy Taylor and Dexter Gordon. Influences include Jackie McClean, Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Cannonball Adderley, and Billy Higgins. "Higgins had a big impact on me as a person and musician. He played with such joy. He saw jazz as spiritual and social work and walked the talk." Those early years also instilled a strong sense of what it means to be a band. "Building something together... sharing vision, cohesion, sacrifices and growth over time... that makes a band.", says Harper.The Baltimore native, born in 1962, got an early start with the help of his father and older brother, Danny. By age five, he was making guest appearances with Danny's band. He recalls an epiphany while listening to recordings. "I was fascinated hearing Max do the things he did with percussion of all types," he recalls. “I knew jazz was what I wanted to play.” Winard co-founded the internationally acclaimed Harper Brothers with trumpeter sibling, Philip in the 80's. Their solo paths diverged in 1993. In 1994, Winard recorded Be Yourself on the Epicure label and has continued to perform and record world-wide. 30 plus years of band leadership reflect an ever evolving mission to enlighten, heal and uplift. Philip Booth says of his latest release, "The drummer gives the saxophonists some on Coexist, another round of sophisticated truth telling from Winard Harper that demonstrates high standards of musical excellence when it comes to expansive compositions, creative arrangements and choice of able bandmates"www.winardharper.com @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Arial"; }@font-face { font-family: "Verdana"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Ted Chubb is an expressive trumpeter, inventive composer and keen arts administrator and educator, performing as both bandleader and side musician with NYC luminaries including Winard Harper, Christian McBride, Wallace Roney, Rudresh Mahanthappa, and Billy Hart. At the center of Chubb’s music is a warm, distinct trumpet sound grounded in storytelling, capable of conveying melody with directness, vulnerability, and emotional clarity. His writing favors melodies that remain accessible and singable while still allowing space for forward-leaning harmony, open expression, and rhythmic momentum. He's graced stages from Smalls and Jazz at Lincoln Center to festivals across four continents. Chubb earned his M.M. from Rutgers University, studying with renown trumpet pedagogue William Fielder. From 2006-2011, he toured with the Tony Award-winning "Jersey Boys". His educational impact spans roles as JAZZ HOUSE KiDS Director of Music (2012-2020) and V.P. of Jazz Education (2020-2024). Currently Adjunct Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Princeton University, he remains active with JAZZ HOUSE KiDS in a curatorial and advisory capacity. He serves on the Montclair Jazz Festival's artistic leadership, curates "Jazz at One" with Trinity Church, and is an advisory board member to the Jersey City Jazz Festival. Through his work at the JAZZ HOUSE he led tours, master classes, and cultural exchanges from Peru to Bahrain. With his wife Rachel Ryll, Chubb co-owns The Statuary, a Jersey City artist space, jazz venue, and community hub. His solo release "Gratified Never Satisfied" showcases his artistic versatility. "I am trying to connect with and develop relationships through music both in our local communities and the wider globe," Chubb states. "In a time where so much of the world is trying to divide us, I believe this is of the highest importance." His new album "Live at The Statuary" releases May 2026 on Circle 9 records. From 2006- 2011 Ted toured with the First National Tour of the Tony award winning Broadway show "Jersey Boys". @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Verdana"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } “Ted is a great talent and very clearly dedicated to the music. The sound of his trumpet commands the listener to tune in. - Carmen Lundy, vocalist and recording artist “One of my favorite trumpet players” - Cecil Brooks, drummer, producer, club owner @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Verdana"; }@font-face { font-family: "Calibri"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { p This artist does not have a bio yet. This artist does not have a bio yet. This artist does not have a bio yet. This artist does not have a bio yet. This artist does not have a bio yet. This artist does not have a bio yet.