Lineup

David Foster is one of the most illustrious composers of our time. With 16 GRAMMY®  Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Songs,” Foster has earned a reputation as a keen spotter of new talent, playing a key role in the discovery and career launches of Celine Dion, Josh Groban and Michael Bublé.

Few other individuals can claim to have their fingerprints on more major moments in all of popular music than David Foster. He has created hit songs for a diverse array of artists including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Chicago, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind Fire, Tony Braxton, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Seal, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Hall Oates, Brandy, ’N Sync, Boz Scaggs and Gloria Estefan.

In 2008 and 2011, Foster stepped out as a performer in his own right with Hitman, David Foster and Friends PBS specials which became PBS’ highest-rated shows in decades. In 2018/19 Foster started touring with his show ‘An Intimate Evening with David Foster’. The shows garnered rave reviews and were so successful that he now devotes much of his time to selling out concerts around the world. Foster composed the scores to “Boop!” a new Broadway musical about the iconic animated character Betty Boop. In 2023 David released a Christmas album with Katharine McPhee, titled Christmas Songs. Foster has made charitable work his life’s other priority.

Meeting with a young girl from his hometown who was awaiting a liver transplant had a profound impact and led him to create The David Foster Foundation in 1986. Its mission is to provide financial support to Canadian families with children in need of live-saving organ transplants, along with a new focus on organ donor awareness.

With a career distinguished by five GRAMMY Awards, numerous chart-topping hits and collaborations with some of the most celebrated names in music, Michael McDonald remains one of the most enduring and influential figures in popular music.

A native of St. Louis, McDonald moved to Los Angeles in the early ’70s, quickly establishing himself as an in-demand studio musician before joining Steely Dan. In the mid-’70s, he became a pivotal member of the Doobie Brothers, helping to define the band’s iconic sound as a vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter. His contributions to timeless hits such as “Takin’ it to the Streets,” “It Keeps You Runnin,” “Minute by Minute” and the GRAMMY winning “What a Fool Believes” cemented his status as a musical powerhouse.

Launching a highly successful solo career throughout the ’80s and ’90s, McDonald delivered a string of hits including “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” “Sweet Freedom,” “On My Own” with Patti LaBelle and the GRAMMY winning duet “Yah Mo B There” with James Ingram, in addition to co-writing Van Halen’s smash hit “I’ll Wait.”

In 2017, McDonald released Wide Open, his first album of all new original material in nearly a decade to widespread critical acclaim. In 2020, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Doobie Brothers. McDonald will shortly be inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He continues to tour extensively worldwide, both as a solo artist and with the Doobie Brothers.

Babyface is a 13-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, producer, and one of the most celebrated creative forces in music history. He is the only producer to win the ‘Producer of the Year’ category four times, three times of which was in consecutive years (1995-1997); a record he holds to this day. Kenny is also co-founder of the legendary record label LaFace, which launched the careers of artists like Usher, Toni Braxton, TLC, Outkast, and P!nk.

From humble beginnings in Indianapolis, Kenny developed his love for music early on when he began songwriting at the age of 12. Upon graduating high school, he got signed to his first record deal after joining the band, Manchild. In the 1980s, he broke into the music world as guitarist and songwriter for the R&B band, The Deele.

Artistry: Over the past five decades, he released three consecutive multi-platinum albums: Tender Lover (1989), featuring the #1 “Tender Lover”; For the Cool in You (1993), which included “Never Keeping Secrets” and “When Can I See You”; and The Day (1996) featuring “Every Time I Close My Eyes.”

In 2014, he collaborated with Toni Braxton and released the GRAMMY Award-winning album Love, Marriage & Divorce. Babyface has written and produced hits for artists like Bobby Brown, Boyz II Men, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, Mary J Blige, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Phil Collins, Janet Jackson, NSYNC, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Faith Evans, Jay Z, Stevie Wonder, Chris Brown, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Lil Wayne, Luther Vandross, Barbara Streisand, and countless others.

Singer, songwriter, piano phenom Peter Cincotti burst on to the scene at 18 years old when he became the youngest artist ever to reach #1 on the Billboard Jazz Charts. Since then Peter has been wowing audiences around the globe in some of the world’s most prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to L’Olympiain Paris. His albums have been produced by music icons such as Phil Ramone and 16-time GRAMMY® winner David Foster, while the New York Times raves  he’s “Going on legend.” Peter has collaborated with artists ranging from Andrea Bocelli to David Guetta, shared the stage with legends such as Ray Charles, has been featured in blockbuster films such as Spiderman 2, represented the global fashion brands Zegna and Tod’s, and appeared as himself in Season 3 of the hit Netflix series House Of Cards, singing a duet with the president. In late 2022, Peter’s sold out shows at legendary Cafe Carlyle had the New York music scene buzzing, with Town & Country raving that Cincotti is “Already a New York institution.” His highly anticipated new album Killer On The Keys honors some of the most influential piano icons of all time, in addition to some autobiographical originals. Blending influences ranging from Nat King Cole, Billy Joel and Lady Gaga to John Lennon, Bill Evans and Coldplay, Cincotti connects generations of pianists with his daring arrangements, sultry vocals and a style all his own.

Shoshana Bean is a GRAMMY® Award winner and Tony-nominated powerhouse, most recently captivating audiences in Alicia Keys’ new musical, Hell’s Kitchen. Her critically acclaimed portrayal of ‘Jersey’ earned her nominations for the Tony, Drama League, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Awards. In 2022, she received Tony and GRAMMY® nominations for her starring role as Susan Young opposite Billy Crystal in Broadway’s Mr. Saturday Night.

A celebrated force on Broadway, Shoshana made history as the first replacement for Elphaba in Wicked and later took on the role of Jenna in Waitress. She made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Hairspray, appeared Off-Broadway in the 2000 revival of Godspell and starred in Songs for a New World at City Center Encores. Her performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl earned her an IRNE Award, while her portrayal of CeeCee Bloom in the pre-Broadway production of Beaches garnered a Jeff Award nomination.

Beyond the stage, Shoshana has made an indelible mark as an independent recording artist. Her six albums and EPs have topped the iTunes and Billboard charts, including reaching #1 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. She has sold out concerts worldwide and lent her powerhouse vocals to numerous films and television projects, including Sing, Sing 2, Enchanted, Jersey Boys, Glee and Galavant.

Her on-screen credits include appearances in Bloodline, Bill & Ted Face the Music and Great Performances: 50 Years of Broadway’s Best. She filmed a solo concert special for PBS, further solidifying her reputation as one of the most dynamic and versatile performers of her generation. Shoshana recently performed her first sold-out solo concert at New York City’s renowned Carnegie Hall.

Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley

Heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet,” Take 6 is the quintessential a cappella group and model for vocal genius. Six virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony, against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop.

The multi-platinum selling sextet has toured the globe, collaborated across genres and is recognized as the pre-eminent a cappella group in the world. Take 6 knows no musical bounds, having captivated audiences with a tribute to folk icon Woody Guthrie and renditions of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” and legendary singer-songwriter Ben E. King’s classic “Stand By Me.”

Take 6 has come a long way from their days at Huntsville, Alabama’s Oakwood College where McKnight formed the group as The Gentleman’s Estate Quartet in 1980. The group eventually became known as Alliance but when they signed to Reprise Records in 1987 they found that there was another group with the same name, so they became Take 6. Their self-titled debut CD won over jazz and pop critics and they’ve never slowed down.

Acclaimed American tenor and world class entertainer, Daniel Emmet, is one of the leading voices in classical pop-crossover music. Daniel first made a name for himself as a top 10 finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2018, and once again in 2022 with his return to the AGT stage as the viral sensation, “the singing voice of Simon Cowell.” Daniel has performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, on PBS, the CW, Lifetime TV, has headlined shows in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace, T-Mobile Arena, Paris Las Vegas and Westgate Las Vegas, and has performed the National Anthem for the NFL and Sunday Night Football, the MLB, the NHL, Top Rank Boxing, on Fox Sports and ESPN+. Daniel currently tours around the globe with 16x GRAMMY® Award winner David Foster, across the United States as a featured vocalist with Trans Siberian Orchestra and with his own symphonic shows and concerts. Daniel’s debut studio album, Daniel Emmet, debuted at #5 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Albums Chart.

Pia Toscano made a name for herself as a vocalist with a rich, emotionally transparent voice, clearly influenced by the likes of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Etta James.

Performing since the age of four, Toscano was widely considered one of American Idol’s Season 10 frontrunners thanks to her powerhouse vocal ability and undeniable beauty. Her elimination was known as one of the most shocking in American Idol history, but that didn’t stop her momentum. Toscano toured with American Idol’s Live, Jennifer Lopez and has performed on The Ellen Show, The Tonight Show, Live with Regis & Kelly, Good Morning America and much more; Toscano performed alongside Jennifer Lopez in her Vegas Residency, “All I Have” and regularly tours with David Foster and Andrea Bocelli. Pia released her debut Christmas Album, Christmas With You, which topped the charts in new releases for 2021.

In the Fall of 2022, Pia released her first album, I’m Good, of originally written music including a collaboration with Usher. At the same time, she headlined her own show in Las Vegas with AGT’s Daniel Emmet which was filmed as a PBS special which aired throughout the US in December. In addition, Pia starred in the movie/music 1660 Vine where she plays an aspiring country singer, Rose. Pia’s latest music release was her latest single called “Labor of Love.”

After accompanying Andrea Bocelli at Vina Del Mar in February of 2024, Pia headlined her first arena shows in Chile.

“A phenomenal talent whose feel for classic soul music is bone deep…This woman is on fire.” — The New York Times When talking about Morgan James, it’s best to start with the voice – an instrument through which she can communicate anything. A gift bestowed upon her that she has expertly trained, meticulously nurtured, and passionately galvanized into action by an urgency to make real music. Next, the stories, and she has them in spades. They are full of truth and beauty, heartache and thoughtfulness. They reveal colors we weren’t expecting to see. They make us close our eyes and relate. And finally, the soul – the emotional and intellectual energy through which these parts are fueled. That special something that prompted The Wall Street Journal to herald her as “the most promising young vocalist to come along so far this century.” Morgan James is a soul singer and one voice is all it takes. The right vocalist can make you fall in love at first listen, elicit tears or bring you back to a different era altogether. A microphone and a stage remain the only necessities. That holds true for New York-based soul singer, songwriter, and Broadway actress Morgan James. Morgan’s latest full album Nobody’s Fool is a luminous love letter to 90s R&B, featuring nine brand new songs, and one cover of Jeff Buckley‘s “Everybody Here Wants You”; the release of which culminated in a 60 city US tour with her band. The album is her third original soul album recorded at the world-class Memphis Magnetic Recording, along with Memphis Magnetic and A Very Magnetic Christmas, both recorded live to analog tape.

World-renowned, GRAMMY® winning musician, John JR Robinson is the drummer to the soundtrack of our lives. Having played on recordings that have sold well over 500 million copies and currently streamed well into the trillions, JR’s grooves are featured on many legendary hits with artists Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Daft Punk, Madonna, Steve Winwood, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie, The Pointer Sisters, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Barbra Streisand and many more. When JR is not in the studio, he performs with his own groups and tours with various artists. JR’s talents also extend into drumming masterclasses, motivational speaking and writing. JR’s autobiography King of the Groove-The John JR Robinson Story is now available.

Mitch Towne sees the organ as much more than just being a soulful instrument used to play grease-filled blues. “I feel that the organ is somewhat marginalized in jazz and that there is so much more to the organ than being thought of as a bluesy r&b soul/jazz type of instrument.” On Refuge, his recording debut as a leader, Mitch Towne teams up with his regularly working trio (guitarist Tetsuya Nishiyama and drummer Jeffery Johnson) to perform six of his wide-ranging originals plus a Kenny Kirkland piece. Mitch loved music from an early age and fondly remembers having a ‘45’ of Freddy Martin’s “Bumble Boogie.” He began playing the piano when he was six and became interested in jazz in high school. “The earliest jazz record that I bought was the first Chick Corea Elektric Band album which I played incessantly. My college had a fantastic jazz program and that is when I discovered straight ahead jazz including Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock. I soon realized that I did not know enough about music and that I needed to dive in and do my homework.” While in college, Mitch went to New York regularly to study with the masterful pianist Richie Beirach. While the lessons were extremely valuable, the New York lifestyle did not appeal to him and he chose a different path to finding his way in the jazz world.

A founding member of the chart-topping contemporary jazz group Fourplay, Nathan East was 16 years old when he got his first break and found himself on the road with Barry White. The next time the phone rang, Quincy Jones was on the line. The calls kept coming and for the last forty years, East has been churning out hit songs with artists as legendary as Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder. His genre-crossing groove has earned him both the recognition – a Congressional Record for his contributions to the worldwide music community, for one – and the boundary-busting respect of his peers, illustrated by his current appearances on two hit records as diverse as Andrea Bocelli’s Passione and Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. Suffice it to say, it’s been a busy four decades. “There are only so many hours in the day,” East concedes. “But for years, friends have encouraged me to record a solo album. Some for so long they’d given up. However the best music that I’ve made over the years has always been a collaboration with my friends, so I decided it was time to take the plunge.”

A pianist and organist, Noah East is son of Nathan East, one of the most recorded bass players in the history of music and a long-time member of Eric Clapton’s band. Now 23, Noah began playing the piano at the age of four when his parents discovered that he had perfect pitch, and he has been recording music since he was 13 years old. He and his father have been involved with multiple educational institutions and have also performed together at music venues around the world, including the legendary Tokyo Blue Note Jazz Club. Graduating from UC Berkely in 2022, Noah jumped at the opportunity to join The Cream of Clapton Band: “Eric’s music has been the sound track of my life and to have the chance to interpret and play his extraordinary legacy, with such amazing musicians, is such a wonderful start to my career ” he says.

Urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet plays an instrument many have owned, but few have mastered. Originally from France, Yonnet is regarded as one of the most talented and innovative harmonica players on the international music scene today. In 2019, Yonnet’s sound was the lead voice on the soundtrack of Martin Scorsese’s film, The Irishman. With each performance, stereotypical walls come tumbling down as Yonnet presents the harmonica in a refreshing and modern context. It’s stylish. It’s cool. It’s brilliant. His impressive style and electrifying stage presence have led to recordings, tours and performances with a wide range of musicians including GRAMMY® Award winners and music icons Stevie Wonder and Prince, award-winning songwriter David Foster, UK sensation Ed Sheeran, pop-idols the Jonas Brothers, soul singers John Legend, Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton, John Mayer and India.Aire, as well as The National Symphony Orchestra and The Dayton Philharmonics. Rolling Stone magazine referred to Yonnet as “Prince’s killer harmonica player” and praise from other influencers affirm his mission to change the way music enthusiasts and the industry regard the “pocket” instrument.

Jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is one of his generation’s pivotal figures in music and the related arts. Leader of the Emmet Cohen Trio and creator of the “Masters Legacy Series,” Cohen is an internationally acclaimed jazz artist and dedicated music educator. Winner of the 2019 American Pianists Awards and the Cole Porter Fellow of the American Pianists Association, Emmet is also an Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indianapolis. Emmet Cohen has performed, recorded, or collaborated with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, Herlin Riley, Lea DeLaria, and Bill T. Jones.

Raised in Kansas City, Brenna Whitaker fell in love with singers from an era long-ago. “Ruth Brown, Peggy Lee, Cab Calloway, Etta James – those are my people,” says the LA based vocalist. “I don’t know how I ended up knowing so many of their songs and standards. It’s almost like they found their way to me, like I’m from another time.”

After landing her first professional theater gig at age 11, studying with Broadway veterans in New York at 17, and spending her early twenties leading jazz bands in Missouri, Brenna headed to Los Angeles with her family.

Early on, she built a series of residencies around Hollywood attracting fans like Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Tom Jones, Gladys Knight, John Mayer, and Michael Bublé. Her “larger-than-life stage presence and haunting vocals” landed Brenna a recording contract with Verve/Universal Records, and her debut self titled album, produced by legendary David Foster.

Brenna is featured on the 2015 album We Love Disney, and was a featured singer on Andrea Bocelli’s tour.

With her Little Big Band, Brenna performs each holiday season for tech mogul and philanthropist, Larry Ellison, on his island of Lanai, HI at the Four Seasons resort. She performs monthly at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Jazz Grill in Bel Air, CA, and is often invited to entertain at exclusive private events hosted by Gene Simmons, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, and the late Hugh Hefner to name a few. Brenna Whitaker is hard at work on new music, and touring the world with The Brenna Whitaker Little Big Band.

Featuring John JR Robinson, Boh Cooper and Keith Nelson

Boh Cooper has worked with world-class musicians such as Greg Phillinganes, Nathan East, John “JR” Robinson, Dean Parks, Michael Thompson, Randy Waldman and many other “A list” Los Angeles-based musicians.  When 16 time GRAMMY® winner, David Foster, called his friend, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Legend, Peter Cetera and asked if he had any suggestions for a keyboardist for his tour, Peter replied “You gotta hear my guy!” That guy was Boh Cooper. Foster did hear Boh Cooper & hired him to be a part of his musical productions. Boh is now currently his music director.

Myles Jasnowski is an accomplished guitarist and singer based in Lincoln, Nebraska. His mastery of the guitar has landed him on stages all across the country, lending his talents to a wide variety of solo artists and groups alike, including funk and soul band Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, who won the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. He also has pursued his own artistry, releasing an EP in 2018 entitled Mylestones— a collection of songs fusing funky beats and touches of tasty guitar with soulful vocals. Written, produced, and mixed by Myles himself, it has since gone on to rack up millions of streams web-wide.

Keith Nelson is a world-class guitar player and community leader. For over forty years, he has energized artists and bands, making exceptional music across the globe. Keith has worked with such astounding talent as David Foster, Andrea Bocelli, Donna Summer, Shania Twain, Sheena Easton, Dino, Peaches and Herb and many more. He’s also contributed to an array of Las Vegas production shows including Disney’s The Lion King, Signed, Sealed, Delivered (featuring Chaka Khan), At the Copa (featuring David Cassidy & Sheena Easton) and many more.

Yasushi Nakamura is praised for imaginative, quicksilver bass lines that deepen the groove. His blend of guitar-like precision and gut-level blues has sparked collaborations with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Hank Jones, Dave Douglas, Steve Miller, etc. With his charismatic stage presence and artful, hard swinging melodic touch, Nakamura is a first-call performer capturing new audiences and fans around the world.

Born in Tokyo, Nakamura moved to the United States at age 9, and considers both places home. He began with clarinet and tenor saxophone, but his older brother’s study of guitar and drums drove him to pick up the bass. His love of rock and funk aside, the music of Charlie Parker, Ray Brown, Miles Davis were a potent influence on him. Nakamura received a BA in Jazz Performance from Berklee School of Music in 2000, and was awarded a full scholarship to The Juilliard School for his Artist Diploma in 2006. He credits Myron Walden as an early champion, and keeps close ties to Juilliard mentors Victor Goines, Wycliffe Gordon, and Carl Allen, Ben Wolfe all of whom maintain him in their bands.

Nakamura’s career is flourishing, with consistent engagements at premier jazz festivals including Tokyo, North Sea, Monterey, Ravinia, and venues such as Birdland, Village Vanguard, the Blue Note, the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. In 2014, he was honored to play the “NEA Jazz Masters Concert: Celebrating Jamey Abersold, Anthony Braxton, Richard Davis, and Keith Jarrett,” sharing the stage with Joe Lovano and Dave Liebman. A wide array of projects permits him to explore musical styles and collaborations. In 2016, he recorded with one of his long-time inspirations, Toshiko Akiyoshi, for her recent release, Porgy and Bess. His performance with Akiyoshi’s Jazz Orchestra was also broadcast as a documentary film. Recent works include “For the Love of Duke” with New York City Ballet choreographed by Susan Stroman, and “Ellington at Christmas: Nutcracker Suite” with Savion Glover, Lizz Wright, the Abyssinian Baptist Choir, and David Berger conducting. In 2010, he toured the Middle East with Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Kings of the Crescent City” project, and he toured Asia in 2008 with the Juilliard All-Stars. As an educator, Nakamura has led master classes and summer intensive courses at the The Juilliard School, New School, Koyo Conservatory, Osaka Geidai, and Savannah Swing Central.

In 2016, Nakamura release his first album “A Lifetime Treasure” and in 2017 he also released 2nd album “Hometown” from Atelier Sawano featuring Lawrence Fields, Bigyuki, and Clarence Penn which received album of the year 2017 in JazzLife magazine.

Joe Farnsworth, as chronicled on more than 400 recordings and witnessed within historical venues across New York City and the world, has indelibly penned his legacy within the history of jazz drumming. Concisely put, Joe has studied the past so that he might show us the future of music rooted within the jazz tradition.

Much of who he has become as a musician and teacher can be traced to his upbringing in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and his early years in New York City. Joe’s father, Roger Farnsworth, was a celebrated music teacher for more than 60-years, storied for inviting local music students into a repurposed dining room filled with vinyl recordings and an upright piano to challenge their ears with drop-the-needle quizzes and impromptu solfège lessons. The youngest-of-five sons (to a saint of a mother), Joe learned from two older brothers who forged careers in music before him. James, who toured as Ray Charles’ baritone saxophonist for nearly a decade and John, who has balanced stints with Slide Hampton and the World of Trombones, elementary music teaching, and later in life, as a saxophonist.

As a teenager, Joe studied with the acclaimed Boston-based drummer and pedagogue Alan Dawson, whom Joe credits, “having taught me to get my hands together and how, through rigorous study of rudiments, this can open possibilities for developing your sound.” He studied with Arthur Taylor, who, in Joe’s words, “taught me how to use that sound to develop a fluency of language and readied me to collaborate with jazz greats, like Benny Golson.” When speaking about the lessons learned while living (for 8-years) with the great drummer Jimmy Lovelace, Joe says, “Jimmy showed me how to control the drums.”

In 1990, Joe moved to New York City where he began sitting-in at Augie’s (now Smoke Jazz and Supper Club). Here, he was mentored by Junior Cook with whom he recorded his first album, You Leave Me Breathless (SteepleChase, 1992) and developed careerlong collaborations (and friendships) with George Coleman, and Eric Alexander (with whom he co-founded the band One for All).

Joe’s encyclopedic knowledge of jazz can be attributed to his tireless study of the masters and traces back to his teens when he would hop a bus to catch a masterclass by Max Roach, sneak into local college dances to hear Buddy Rich (yes, dances back-in-the-day had live jazz), and hitch-a-ride to hear Clifford Jordan, Frank Strozier, and Slide Hampton play at Hartford’s 880 Club. It continued during his years at William Paterson University where he studied with Rufus Reid and Harold Mabern (with whom Joe performed until his passing).

Joe’s reverence for jazz’s heroes is witnessed in his own approach, as he places ego aside so that he might speak music’s truth. Joe’s humility is captured within jazz legend Benny Golson’s praise, “The interests of music will always prosper in the hands and tutelage of Joe Farnsworth. He has the unique and remarkable ability to lay his talented and obedient drum sticks aside, and mercifully share his intellect and his motivational heart with the awaiting world. This is the way of all geniuses.”

Twice nominated for a Grammy Award, jazz elites seek Joe’s artistry, including engagements with vocalist, Diana Krall; pianists, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, and Barry Harris; trombonist, Curtis Fuller; and saxophonist Lou Donaldson and sustained collaborations with Pharoah Sanders Quartet (16-years), Benny Golson Quartet (8-years), and Cedar Walton Trio (10-years).

Arlington Jones began his piano studies in classical music but added jazz while in college. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree from Southwest Texas State University in music, composition, arranging, performance, theory and jazz studies. His music reveals the history of traditional and modern jazz, influenced by ragtime, classical, blues and sacred styles. He has multiple album recordings, piano music books, and a jazz techniques book. His main jazz music influences are Oscar Peterson and Duke Ellington.

Born and raised in Ohio, Kevin Turner was trained as a jazz guitarist but spent an equal amount of time playing in the pop genre. Besides being a performer, Kevin is a writer, producer and educator. He has owned a private recording studio for nearly 15 years. Kevin co-wrote (with his wife Cynthia Turner) and produced two projects by the national recording gospel ensemble Cynthia Turner and Heartspeak. This award-winning group performed across the country in the 2000s and was featured on BET’s  Bobby Jones Gospel Show. Kevin presently tours and records with GRAMMY® award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum.

Nate Phillips has been a long time member of the Jazz Cruises’ family going on 19 years, probably one of the longest reigns of almost anyone. With Nate’s musical history which includes sessions and tours with many of the artist who perform on our cruises he continues to enjoy his love of music and his supporting role. Over his career Nate has worked with many artist including the group Pleasure, The Crusaders, Ronnie Laws, Jeff Lorber, Herb Alpert, George Benson, The Dazz Band, Esther Phillips, Bobby Lyle, Wayne Henderson, Gabor Szabo, Roy Ayers, Chico Hamilton, Joe Henderson, The Dramatics, Willie Bobo, Narada Michael Walden, Billy Cobham, Harvey Mason, Hubert Laws,Lee Ritenour, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Marcus Miller, EnVogue, The United We Funk Allstars, George Clinton, Wilton Felder, Bobby Caldwell, Patti Austin, Regina Bell, Swing Out Sister, Eric Marienthal, Art Porter, Cheap Trick, The Barkays, The Gap Band, The SOS Band, Con FunkShun, Lenny Williams, Michael Henderson, Sherrille, Alexander O’Neal, Bobby Lyle, Mindi Abair, Euge Groove, Everett Harp, Peter White, WaymanTisdale, Bobby Caldwell, Brenda Russell and Brian Culbertson.

Jay Williams is no stranger to the Gospel, Jazz and R&B community. With a little over 3 decades of experience, Jay combines fine technique, professionalism, structure and discipline to the God-given art of drumming he has been blessed. Jay started playing drums at the tender age of 3, along side his dad the late Judge Williams, Sr. who was a phenomenal organist in the Washington D.C. area. Playing in church helped cultivate his sense of music and love for the drums. It wasn’t long after Jay took interest in exploring other styles of music, his interest grew to appreciate styles like jazz, rock, R&B, latin, and country. By the age of 18 years, Jay found himself professionally working in the Washington, DC vibrant music scene. Jay’s passion, hard work and dedication along with his experience eventually led up to him professionally working with numerous main stream artist around the world. Jay’s versatile yet flexible gift has gained him local, national and international media coverage, as well as the opportunity to illustrate his art of drumming during National conventions. Jay has been viewed by many on various televised shows featured on BET, MTV, The Word Network, Mega Hertz, WHUR Christmas DVD Special and other local televised stations. Jay has also performed in countless venues throughout the country and abroad. Jay also received recognition as Co-Producer for the 2009 3 time Stellar-Award nominated CD “The John Tillery Project.” If you would ask Jay “What does he love most about his music career?” He would tell you, “I love playing music, I believe music is healing to all…I love to see how music make people feel, the smile on there face is priceless.”

Botti at Sea Music Director Eric Marienthal has won two GRAMMY® Awards and has been nominated ten times as a member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band, Jeff Lorber Fusion and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Having performed in over 80 countries and played on hundreds of recordings, films and TV shows, Eric also has recorded 15 solo recordings including his latest entitled Double Dealin’ with his friend Randy Brecker. Eric’s recordings have produced several top 10 radio singles including three tunes that reached #1 on its respective chart. Eric is the recipient of the Berklee College of Music Distinguished Alumnus Award for outstanding achievements in contemporary music. Eric was also named one of the top 3 alto saxophonists in Jazziz Magazine’s Readers Poll along with Phil Woods and David Sanborn. For the past 22 years Eric has organized an annual charity concert for the High Hopes Head Injury Program in Tustin, CA. These concerts have raised awareness for this great organization and have raised over 2 million dollars. For the past few years, Eric has applied his vast knowledge and experience in the world of jazz to being the Music Director for all of Jazz Cruises’ sailings. In that challenging role, Eric is charged with curating the performances, schedules and support for hundreds of the top musicians in the world. His ability to perform this task with skill and professionalism has made the quality of the programming on those sailings among the very best in the world.