Contemporary Adults hit with the Hits, and always add a fun twist. Izaak Mills (sax) and Seth Myers (upright bass) have been collaborating for over 10 years to bring people an extremely varied and dynamic repertoire of songs and grooves. Together with Charlie Steiner on drums, the trio flows between roles. Whether it’s time for a throbbing dance party or elegant background vibes, Contemporary Adults has something for everyone.
AMOS ROSE is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist based in New York City. He is a founding member of Mama Juke, a roots rock and country blues band. He also performs hot jazz and Brazilian music under his own name and as a sideman with numerous bands around the city.
Amos has performed in various renowned venues, such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note Jazz Festival, B.B. King’s Blues Club, the Iridium Jazz Club, the 92nd Street YMCA, the New York Public Library, the Smithsonian Museum, Rockwood Music Hall, Webster Hall, the Manderley Bar at the McKittrick Hotel, The Gansevoort Park Ave Rooftop, the St. Regis Hotel., and many more.
Amos Rose has had the pleasure of collaborating with Tatiana Eva-Marie, Cyrille Aimee, Sasha Masakowski, Keita Ogawa, Clarice Assad, Dominic Farinacci, Matt Munisteri, Sam Dillon, Bernard Purdie, Christine Cherry, Spiral Jetty Club, the Ben Kogan Band, Joanna Sternberg, Megg Farrell, and Adrian DiMatteo.
“he can focus the intensity in a tune as well as any pianist in mainstream jazz.”
– New York Times
“Weiss’ shrewd writing and arranging skills are as clearly in view as his sleek piano work”
– The New Yorker
“An energy and irrepressible inventiveness… The nimbleness of Weiss’ technique was
matched by the intellectual heft of his ideas.” – Chicago Tribune
“Weiss’ compositions take on different shapes, great complexity and fresh perspectives”
– Washington Post
“One of the most fluent and flexible pianists of his generation.” – BMI Music World
“Combines the wonder of spontaneity with a workmanlike acknowledgment of his
materials: art and craft in delightful balance.” – Chicago Reader
You can tell a lot about a musician by the company he keeps. The star-studded resume
that pianist and composer Michael Weiss has quietly assembled over the past 40 years
proves that some of the greatest names in jazz have long considered Weiss one of the best
in the business. Since arriving in New York in 1982, the Dallas native has forged a
formidable career working in the bands of jazz legends Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer,
Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath and the Heath Brothers,
George Coleman, Charles McPherson, Jon Hendricks, Lou Donaldson, Junior Cook/Bill
Hardman Quintet, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and Mingus Epitaph Orchestra. Weiss’
fifteen year association with Griffin, yielded four recordings and annual tours in the USA
and around the world. He has also performed with Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Clark
Terry, Clifford Jordan, Gary Bartz, Phil Woods, Pepper Adams, Joe Lovano, Ron Carter,
David Newman, Gerry Mulligan, Nancy Wilson, Randy Brecker, Tom Harrell, Gerry
Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, and numerous other jazz greats.
As a band leader, Weiss has headlined at the Village Vanguard, Detroit Jazz Festival,
Detroit Symphony Hall, Smithsonian Institution, and major New York venues such as the
Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Bradley’s, Iridium, Sweet Basil, Smoke and Merkin
Concert Hall. Reviewing his Vanguard debut, the New York Times wrote that Weiss
“demonstrated a strong sense of leadership and organization” exhibiting “sensitivity and
logic, along with crisp control.” Television appearances include CBS-TV’s Nightwatch
and PBS’ Live From Lincoln Center: The City of Jazz. NPR radio appearances include
PianoJazz with Marion McPartland, Making the Music with Wynton Marsalis, Jazzset, and
the Jazz Piano Christmas Special. Weiss was the 1989 second prizewinner in the
Thelonious Monk Institute’s International Piano Competition.
Weiss has also been recognized for his writing. He was the grand prize winner of the
2000 BMI/Thelonious Monk Institute’s Composition Competition presented to him by
Wayne Shorter, and is a two-time Chamber Music America New Works grant recipient.
Weiss’ compositions reveal eclectic influences from the worlds of jazz, 20th Century
classical and popular music. Weiss focuses on extended forms, thematic development and
attention to detail.
In 2022 Weiss celebrates the release of his fifth recording as a leader, Persistence (Cellar
Live). His previous recordings on the CrissCross, SteepleChase, DIW and Sintra labels
have been hailed by the critics:
“Weiss has a rich palette of composing devices at his command” – Downbeat
“Weiss’ original compositions conjured a distinct world of sound, a testament to the
nature of Weiss’ imagination.” – Chicago Tribune
“Warmth, integrity and above all, originality. Weiss’ originals are formful and dynamic
enough to sound as if they were standards of the genre.” – JazzTimes
“the songs simply smoke” – Detroit Free Press
“Weiss is a vital talent with something important to say” – All About Jazz
“About as close to perfection as a recording can get….If there is truly justice in our
world, this should be a Grammy nominee.” – Jazz Improv
“A prodigious bop-and-beyond pianist and composer…. consummate musicianship and
alluring improvisations” – The Star Ledger
“This music lives and breathes freshness and exhilarating originality. The individual
selections are strong and attractive enough, to still be played as jazz vehicles in 10, 20,
or even 50 year’s time.” – Jazz Journal
“a masterwork. Soul Journey is terrific. The work is majestic, brash and dynamic
throughout.” – Jazzwax.com
As a sideman Weiss appears on recordings of Johnny Griffin, Frank Wess, Charles
McPherson, Steve Grossman, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Ronnie Cuber, Louis Smith,
Dick Oatts, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and others.
Weiss is deeply committed to jazz education. He has held faculty positions at Indiana
University, Hartt College of Music, Queens College. In master classes and residencies
throughout the world Weiss aims to relay his bandstand experience through a host of
topics that directly address the standards and performance practices required of a
professional jazz musician.
Visit www.michaelweiss.info
“I am music” was one of April’s first proclamations as a very young child and it holds true to this day. Since singing her first notes as a four-year-old, inspired by none other than the Disney Princess movies, her journey toward growing as a musician began. In fact, April has spent the majority of her life performing and competing in the arts.
NYC-based jazz vocalist with the curly red hair from Toledo, Ohio, April Varner is a name you won’t soon forget. She began taking voice lessons at the University of Toledo as a classical vocalist at age 8 and began studying piano from her grandmother at age 6. No stranger to the stage, April began displaying vocal, musical theatre, drama, and piano talents at the local, regional, national, and international levels at a young age. This includes being a guest vocalist at the Toledo Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert, a 2-time All-National Honors Ensemble member in Nashville, TN, and a National Finalist at the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Academy in Carmel, IN. By age 16, April had made her Carnegie Hall debut in Weill Hall following a first-place award by the American Protégé International Vocal Competition, and had traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland as part of a drama group to share the stage with world actors at the renowned Edinburgh Arts Fringe Festival.
April began her musical transition into jazz after discovering a deep passion for it following her freshman year at Indiana University. April soon after became the director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, ResoluSHion, within the Grammy-nominated show choir, The Singing Hoosiers. During her final semester at IU, April was the vocalist in the Du Vido Septet, a Brazilian Jazz Ensemble led by Brazilian composer, arranger and pianist, Guilherme Ribeiro. The group was chosen as one of three finalists within the famed Detroit Jazz Festival’s Collegiate Combo Competition. In the spring of 2020, April graduated with her undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies (Voice).
At the age of 27, April has immersed herself deeply into the jazz tradition and has performed/studied with a multitude of legendary artists and jazz luminaries such as Tierney Sutton, Russell Malone, Sachal Vasandani, Jane Monheit, Kurt Elling, Walter Smith III and others.
April has performed/will be performing at some of the most notable venues in the Northeast, such as Chris’s Jazz Cafe (Philadelphia), Blues Alley (Washington D.C), Con Alma (Pittsburgh), 54 Below (NYC), Birdland Jazz Club (NYC, sold out debut show), and Mezzrow Jazz Club (NYC, sold out debut show). She also recently made her International Debut, headlining the Longjumeau Jazz Festival (Longjumeau, France) in celebration of the great Ella Fitzgerald, along with two full shows at Sunset Sunside in Paris. In October, April will be an invited featured artist in the Jazz For All Ages Festival (Hilton Head, SC), alongside some of the most notable figures in jazz, such as Kurt Elling, Catherine Russell, John Pizzarelli and Emmet Cohen.
She was awarded the 2023 Winner of the International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition and most recently received a 2024 Honorable Mention Award in the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Competition. She excitedly just released her debut full-length album, entitled “April by April Varner”, on Cellar Live Record Label. This genre-busting collection of all April-titled songs was produced by Grammy-Award winning drummer, producer and educator, Ulysses Owens Jr.
Led by veteran trumpeter Simon Wettenhall and Grammy winning pianist Conal Fowkes, The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band are a New Orleans style Jazz band which for decades have been Woody Allen’s band of choice for his movies, concert tours and weekly pertormances.
The band have appeared on all the premiere concert stages of Europe and the United States. Band members have appeared in and provided music for Woody Allen movies including: Wild Man Blues, Sweet and Lowdown, Midnight in Paris, Blue Jasmine, Cafe Society, Magic In The Moonlight, and A Rainy Day In New York.
Their driving sound is a testament to the ongoing relevance of New Orleans Jazz and they have an international fan base to prove it. Loved by critics and jazz aficionados alike, they have attracted Jazz icons like Chick Corea, Marian McPartland, Diana Krall and many others who sat in with the band during its twenty year residency at the Cafe Carlyle.
“Winner of the International B-Jazz Competition and Winner of Best Solist Prize. The Philippe Lemm Trio is continually proving to be one of the most exciting and electrifying jazz trio’s around today. Led at the helm by drummer Philippe Lemm, the group met in New York in 2011, and after one session together, realized that their undeniable chemistry was one that needed to be taken and shared with the world.
Comprised of three musicians with exceptional command of their instruments, the group’s repertoire draws heavily from re-imaginations of jazz standards in a way that both defies genre and corresponds to any modern jazz fan.
The group uses their trust and understanding of one another’s musical tendencies to create passionate musical soundscapes, which range from traditional jazz to the progressive rock/classical-influenced music.
Hearing the trio is a special and unforgettable experience, and you will be captivated after listening to one piece.”
Their TV appearance on the TV-show Vrije Geluiden led to sold out concerts throughout The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany on the first half of their European CD release tour.
The trio has performed on stages like: North Sea Jazz Festival, Blue Note Note NYC, Kennedy Center, Ronnie Scotts, Pori Jazz Festival and Concertgebouw
Vanessa Racci is a jazz and cabaret singer of Italian American descent with a passion for retro jazz and music made famous by italian Americans. She has produced an album and currently performs several shows that celebrate American jazz composers, Italian American music and their contributions to jazz and pop in the US.
Her Story:
Growing up with her Southern Italian grandfather in New York, Vanessa learned Italian American classics and jazz at an early age, hearing Dean Martin, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra and the like played throughout the house. She developed as a singer in musical theater (starring in professional theater at age 12), discovered her love for jazz in her 20’s and started touring with a trio.
After her grandfather passed, Vanessa was inspired to reinvent the Italian classics that he taught her with modern jazz arrangements to keep the music alive for future generations. She teamed up with Gianni Valenti of Birdland Jazz Club NYC, producer, David Finck, and Manhattan Transfer arranger, Yaron Gershovsky, to realize her vision. The result was a sold-out album release show at Birdland in 2017 and a unique album entitled, Italiana Fresca, that reached #65 on the jazz charts. Since then, she has performed at over 70 festivals, events and jazz clubs across the country and has been played on over 20 Italian radio stations across the US and Italy.
Vanessa recently released her second album, Jazzy Italian, on Zoho Jazz Label, devoted to celebrating Italian American jazz composers, which reached #8 on the RMR jazz chart and has been programmed on Siriusly Sinatra. She also launched several shows with tributes to Connie Francis, Bobby Darin and George Gershwin. Notable appearances include ABC7NY, Birdland, Jazz Forum, Metropolitan Room, The Feast of San Gennaro NYC, Don’t Tell Mama, the NIAF Gala in Washington D.C., The DiMenna Center, Mohonk Mountain House, The Columbus Citizens Townhouse, The Italian American Museums of NY and LA, Chelsea Table & Stage and a residency at Swing 46 NYC.
Tobias Gebb is a drummer, composer and educator based in New York City. Over the years he has shared the stage or recording studio with a wide variety of artists. From Blue Note jazz guitarist Peter Burnstein to Donald Fegan of Steely Dan. From the famed west coast jazz pianist Smith Dobson to the famed rocker Lenny Kravits. He has a BA in composition from Berklee College of Music, an MA from Manhattan School of Music and a dual MSE in general and special education from The Bank Street School. His album Free At Last was in the Top10 on American jazz radio charts and through his licensing business his group Trio West has been heard on shows such as Dexter, Madam Secretary, Key and Peele and others.
Tobias began studying the violin at age 6, switched to classical piano studies at 8 and finally switched to the drum set when he was 16. He began studying drums at the Drummers Collective in New York City with Ricky Sebastian, Mike Clark and Kim Plainfield. At Berklee College of Music he studied with Jon Hazilla and JohnRamsey, along with famed Boston drummer Gary Chaffee. Back in New York at Manhattan School of Music he studied with John Riley and Justin DiCioccio. Additionally, he occasionally meets for private lessons with great New York City-based drummers like Ben Perowsky and Ari Hoenig.
Ben is a unique jazz guitarist. Fluent in the classic jazz tradition of Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, and George Benson, Ben also draws from the rich Brazilian guitar tradition of Baden Powell, Raphael Rabello and Joao Gilberto. Ben combines standard jazz plectrum technique, with classical fingerstyle, to create a wide range of sounds and textures.
Originally from Evanston, Illinois, Todd Herbert is a tenor saxophonist and composer based in New York City. Over his long career, Todd has performed as a member of the Freddie Hubbard Quintet, Jimmy Cobbs Legacy Band, the Charles Earland Quartet, among others. Todd has recorded extensively and traveled internationally with his own band, the Todd Herbert Quartet. Notable releases include Path To Infinity, The Tree of Life, and his latest, May Waltz.
