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.
Eric Hoffman is a distinctive song stylist with an impressive vocal range. Whether employing an
intimate whisper or his full-voice baritone, he is a master of many styles, convincingly
interpreting genres from jazz to Broadway and everything in between. From Flint, Michigan,
and an Interlochen Arts Academy graduate, Hoffman comes from a musical family. At an early
age he began singing with his grandparents in their church choir. At age ten he took up the
Lowrey 88 Organ before moving on to the trombone. He was a featured singer with big bands
on various cruise lines, working with performers such as Jack Jones, The Spinners, Vic Damone,
and Steve Allen. After moving to New York, Hoffman became a trombonist and featured male
vocalist with Supersound, former Dizzy Gillespie drummer Charli Persip’s big band, appearing
on Persip’s recording Intrinsic Evolution. Eric is a protégé of the legendary Marilyn Maye, who
directed his New York cabaret debut, “A New Nightclub Act,” in 2017. He has performed in a
variety of contexts and ensembles with guitarist Ken Hatfield for the past decade, including
their 2023 duo release Stirrings Still. Eric’s previous albums include Introducing Eric Hoffman
with Oliver Von Essen and Get Together.@winniesjazzbar
Born in Calabria, in Vibo Valentia and raised in Lombardia, in Monza, her performances have graced renowned stages like Jazz at Lincoln Center and Expo Dubai 2020 with the Italian National Jazz Orchestra. Simona participated in the Milan jazz festival JAZZMI and the Peperoncino Jazz Festival New York edition, as well as the Sicilia Jazz Festival in Palermo, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. She captivated listeners at esteemed venues in Italy, including the Blue Note Milano and the Auditorium Parco Della Musica in Rome. She even had the opportunity to perform at historical locations and museums such as Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Museo Del ‘900.
Taking her musical journey further, Simona was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 2022, which led her to the heart of jazz, New York City. There, she pursued her second Master’s degree in Jazz Performance at The City College of New York, immersing herself in the vibrant and diverse jazz scene of the city.
Simona’s dedication and artistry have been evident throughout her journey. In 2021, she qualified first at the vocal auditions for the National Jazz Orchestra of Italian Conservatories. The same year, she successfully earned her Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from the prestigious Milan Conservatory of Music Giuseppe Verdi, graduating cum laude with an honorable mention.
In terms of recognition and accolades, Simona’s talent has not gone unnoticed. In 2019, she received a special mention in the Jazz Soloists category of the National Arts Award, paying tribute to the iconic Italian singer-songwriter Pino Daniele. Additionally, she won the audience award at the “Chicco Bettinardi” national competition held at Piacenza Jazz Club in 2020.
Pete Caldera sings standards, mainly at New York’s Carnegie Club. He performs there monthly and is the primary sub for the long-running ‘Sinatra Saturday’ show with the 11-piece Stan Rubin Orchestra.
Away from the stage, Pete writes for the Bergen Record and the USA Today network, covering the Yankees. He is a past chairman of the New York Chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
In a career spanning over 4 decades, jazz/blues/gospel guitarist/composer Stew Cutler has established himself as a bandleader, composer and teacher. With 7 record releases to his credit as a bandleader and countless sessions
as a sideman, Cutler’s prolific career is a walk-through musical history.
Stew Cutler was born and raised in New York City and through his innate musical talents, found the guitar at an early age. The guitar and Cutler were destined to be together and at 19 years old, Cutler landed his first job with blues legend Z.Z. Hill. Over time, Cutler immersed himself in studying music and soon thereafter was working with instrumental avant-garde artists Bobby Previte and Eliot Sharp. Cutler moved to Woodstock, NY and worked with bassist Harvey Brooks along with many well-known artists that were emerging in that musical kaleidoscope.
Cutler has worked as a sideman with many musical greats including Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Fontella Bass (featured on Bass’ Grammy nominated album No Ways Tired), Earl King, Jimmy Castor and many more. Cutler has also worked with jazz greats David Sanborn, Bill Frisell, Lester Bowie, Charlie Hunter, Wayne Horvitz to name a few as well as artists as diverse as Meatloaf, Jeb Loy Nichols, David Fanshawe, Sweet Georgia Brown, and Jimmy Dale Gilmore among others.
Cutler’s first two releases, *“Trio Music”* on Fountainbleu records and *“Insignia” *on the Naim label, showcased the identifiable sound that Cutler developed by combining R&B, jazz, melody and noise. With his 3rd release, “So* “Many Streams”* (Fountainbleu), Cutler gets back to basics by digging into the blues and American roots. Cutler’s 4th release titled *”Trio Live” *features Cutler’s guitar prowess in an incredible live performance. His 5th release titled *”After Hours”*, finds Cutler paying tribute to his jazz and soul roots. His 2017 critically acclaimed release titled* “Every Sunday Night” *is a studio recording that captures Cutler’s working band that has a standing Sunday night residency at Arthur’s Tavern in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Cutler is supported by his working band organization including Bobby Harden vocals, Nick Semrad organ, Jullian Pollack organ, Chulo Gatewood bass, Bill McClellan drums and JT Bowen vocal.
In 2018 Cutler was invited to perform on the last European tour of Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem Gospel Singers. Cutler has been a band member since 2012. Gospel music fans came out to see this legendary performer who received critical acclaim along with a number of notable mentions of Stew’s soulful guitar stylings.
In 2019 Cutlers’ can be found on the soundtrack of Martin Scorsese’s latest film “The Irishman”. Cutler is performing the standard “How High The Moon”. Cutlers’ recognizable sound evokes a dreamlike mood which fits the scene perfectly and is one of the musical highlights in the film. Also in 2019 Cutler was cast as part of the soundtrack for the streaming Amazon TV series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. An American comedy/drama set in the late 1950’s portraying a New York housewife who finds she has a knack for comedy. You can hear Cutler’s playing on the soundtrack of season 2 and 3 and in the upcoming season 4 episode, Cutler will be on camera as well as the soundtrack, featured in the strip club house band, The Wolford Band.
On April 22, 2022 Cutler released his latest recording, “*The Blues From Another Angle*.” A critically acclaimed eclectic mix of originals and covers featuring legendary guitarist Mike Stern and master harmonica player, James Montgomery. This could be Cutlers’ finest recording to date. *The Blues From Another Angle* showcases a room full of top-notch musicians including drummer Bill McClellan, keyboardist Tom Wilson, bassists Booker King and Chulo Gatewood, saxophonist Steve Elson plus vocalists Bobby Harden and Mary Jean Cutler, Stew’s wife. Also showcasing their prowess on the album are guest artists Mike Stern blazing through a guitar solo on “Blews” and James Montgomery making the harmonic sing on “Say What You Mean.” Among the many highlights on *The Blues From Another Angle*, most of which were written or co-written by Cutler, are: the scorching “Night Shift Blues”, which also features Cutler on lead vocals; a fiery cover of Tyrone Davis’ mega-hit “Can I Change My Mind” featuring Bobby Harden on the microphone; the deliciously rhythmic “Get It While You Can” featuring Mary Jean Cutler on lead vocals; a soulful instrumental, “The Passing of RR Moore,” that pays tribute to the late comedian-actor-singer Rudy Ray Moore; and the jazzy album-closer “Shine or Rain.”
“Rico Is one of the few original voices emerging. His musicianship and passion have forged to create an original voice we will joyfully be hearing more from in the future!”- Vincent Herring
Rico Jones is steadily becoming one of the top young saxophonists of his generation. A Colorado native, Rico has been deeply compelled by artistic expression since early childhood. Before music, Rico taught himself how to draw. His creativity similarly lent itself to music as he started his path as a musician by learning to play by ear. Rico grew up in Denver performing under the guidance of local artists such as Paul Romaine, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, Art Lande, Brad Goode and Vlad Girshevich. As the years passed Rico became enthralled by black American musical art forms. Blues, and Jazz became a primary mode of expression for Jones and his ensembles. As he grew, his heritage as a Latino with indigenous roots became a focus for his artistic expressions.
He has performed as a leader with notable artists such as Dave Kikoski, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Matt Clohesy, Yasushi Nakimura, Ari Hoenig, Lage Lund, Kush Abaday, Joe Martin, Colin Stranahan, Rick Rosato, Rich Perry, Steven Feifke and many others.
In 2019 Rico Jones was awarded 1st prize in the Vandoren Emerging Artist competition. He later premiered a new big band composition written for him by Todd Bashore at the Music For All festival with Jazz Band of America. Rico was also chosen in 2019 to take part in the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center, and the 2019 JAS Aspen workshop. In October 2019 Rico performed his first international concert in Paris at Sunset/Sunside Jazz Club. In 2020 Rico competed in the first ever Rudin Jazz Championship at Lincoln Center under the direction of Jon Faddis. Jones was also placed as a finalist in the North American Saxophone competition.
As a senior in college he taught masterclasses at high schools and colleges across Colorado as an artist for the Vandoren company.
Rico and two of his ensembles also received a total of 4 Downbeat awards for the 2020 edition of their SDA program including “Jazz Soloist”, “Small Jazz Ensemble” and two awards in the “Latin Jazz” category.
He graduated from his undergrad at the Manhattan School of Music, receiving the William H. Borden award for outstanding achievement in jazz in May of 2020 and was granted a full scholarship to their masters program.
In 2021 Rico Received two more DBA awards from Downbeat Magazine, “Jazz Soloist” and “Jazz Arrangement”.
In April Rico performed at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre with his band CounterCurrent.
Rico Jones later led his electric band CounterCurrent at the 2021 Telluride Jazz Fest along-side Robert Glasper, Allison Miller, Christian Sands, Preservation Hall Band, and many others.
Bassist John Lang offers a distinguished resume in performance, arranging and composition. Lang is most recognized in New York as a straight-ahead bassist. He hosted the Burgundy Wine Jazz Duets Series for 8 years in the early 2000s, featuring such modern-days stars as Saul Rubin, Ehud Asherie, Kris Kaiser, Yotam Silberstein, Jeremy Manasia, Nat Harris, Vito Dieterle, Larry Ham, Tardo Hammer, Michael Moore and Randy Napolean. Lang’s quintet has performed at Smalls, The Jazz Forum, Fat Cat, Little Branch, Times Square Café, The Hawaiian Tropic Room and Toons.
Lang founded La Onda Va Bien, the Latin jazz ensemble that recorded 2003’s “La Vuelta,” featuring 10 of his original songs. His second CD, “Lend Me Your Ears,” premiered at Smalls in 2009 and was called “a rare collection of swing and modernity” by reviewer Scott Yanow. Lang is a member of the Kolotov Mocktails, a modern jazz band comprised of stellar jazz musicians from across the United States. The band’s 2020 debut recording “Ivy Hall,” is enjoying radio play and positive reviews from fans and critics alike. He released “Now Ear This,” his first electric project, to rave reviews in 2021. “NET” features 9 original songs as well as fresh arrangements of “Pusherman” and “Four on Six” and was produced by jazz legend John Patitucci. Modern drumming powerhouse Richie Morales noted the album’s “clear arrangements, great solos and tight ensemble work. Take a listen!” Lang is currently a member of the Kolotov Mocktails, a new American jazz band. Their debut recording, “Ivy Hall” is enjoying radio play and critical acclaim in America and Europe.
Lang has recorded and arranged for many Broadway singers including Natalie Toro and Rita Harvey, as well as for the cast recordings of Fat Camp and the Adventures of Flat Stanley. His big band arrangements were featured in the 2006 production of “Little Jack Frost,” a recreation of a 1940s radio show, and he has toured internationally with the Jack Cassidy and Adrienne Hindmarsh trios.
Lang also doubles on electric bass and in that capacity has performed and recorded with Kinny Landrum and the Gumbo Roux, Cady Huffman, Mary Ann Renza, Rocksteady, Stolen Moments, and Sis Boom Bah.
He has served on the faculty of the Music Conservatory of Westchester since 2014, and maintains a healthy roster of private students. In the fall 2020 he began studies as SUNY Purchase for a master’s in jazz performance under bassist Doug Weiss. Lang resides in the Hudson River Valley, just north of New York City, with his wife Damaris and son Milo.
Marc Devine is a Jazz pianist/bandleader in NYC. Rooted in the Bebop tradition, Marc Devine is presenting REAL Jazz music and carrying on the message. Developing a taste for Jazz while still in highschool, he attended the University of N ew Hampshire and played with several Jazz ensembles including two big bands and a Jazz choir. While at UNH, Marc was exposed to great Jazz musicians such as Phil Woods, Milt Hinton, Frank Wess, took some lessons with pianist James Williams and was introduced to the music and teaching of legendary trumpeter Clark Terry (famous for his work with Lionel Hampton, Charlie Barnet, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, The Tonight Show Band) and trumpeter Stephen Fulton. Marc went on to study with Stephen Fulton and Morris Nelms at the Clark Terry International Institute of Jazz Studies, where he began to develop a style based on his piano influences Wynton Kelly, Red Garland (both of whom played with Miles Davis), Hampton Hawes, Bud Powell, Count Basie and Errol Garner. Marc also had the opportunity to study and perform with Jazz greats Red Holloway, Butch Miles, Jessie Davis, and, of course, Clark Terry. After leaving the Clark Terry school, Devine moved to the Austin area where he played as a sideman and most often lead his own groups. His bands performed regularly at all of Austin’s Jazz venues and several festivals including The Zilker Park Jazz Festival, The Kemah Jazz Festival, and became a mainstay at the Texas Jazz Festival in Corpus Christi, TX. Coming to NYC in January of 2009 after establishing himself on the forefront of the Jazz scene in Austin, TX. Marc is making a name for himself as hard swingin’ pianist rooted in the traditions of bebop and swing and has already performed at venues such as Small’s Jazz Club, Smoke, The Iridium, Cleopatra’s Needle (running a weekly trio gig/jam session), The Garage, , Flute Bar, Tomi Jaz, The Velvet Lounge and several other venues both as a sideman and as a leader working with some of the best musicians in the city. His working bands include the great jazz drummers Fukushi Tainaka (drummer for Lou Donaldson), Jackie Williams (has played with all of the jazz greats including Teddy Wilson, Earl Hines, Barry Harris, Junior Mance, Doc Cheatham, Buck Clayton), bassists Paul Sikivie and Hide Tanaka (bassist for Junior Mance) and has performed with trombonist Benny Powell, saxophonist Jerry Weldon, drummer Jimmy Wormworth and others. Swingin’!Weblinks:www.marcdevine.com
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Marc Devine is a Jazz pianist/bandleader in NYC. Rooted in the Bebop tradition, Marc Devine is presenting REAL Jazz music and carrying on the message. Developing a taste for Jazz while still in highschool, he attended the University of New Hampshire and played with several Jazz ensembles including two big bands and a Jazz choir. While at UNH, Marc was exposed to great Jazz musicians such as Phil Woods, Milt Hinton, Frank Wess, took some lessons with pianist James Williams and was introduced to the music and teaching of legendary trumpeter Clark Terry (famous for his work with Lionel Hampton, Charlie Barnet, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, The Tonight Show Band) and trumpeter Stephen Fulton. Marc went on to study with Stephen Fulton and Morris Nelms at the Clark Terry International Institute of Jazz Studies, where he began to develop a style based on his piano influences Wynton Kelly, Red Garland (both of whom played with Miles Davis), Hampton Hawes, Bud Powell, Count Basie and Errol Garner. Marc also had the opportunity to study and perform with Jazz greats Red Holloway, Butch Miles, Jessie Davis, and, of course, Clark Terry. After leaving the Clark Terry school, Devine moved to the Austin area where he played as a sideman and most often lead his own groups. His bands performed regularly at all of Austin’s Jazz venues and several festivals including The Zilker Park Jazz Festival, The Kemah Jazz Festival, and became a mainstay at the Texas Jazz Festival in Corpus Christi, TX. Coming to NYC in January of 2009 after establishing himself on the forefront of the Jazz scene in Austin, TX. Marc is making a name for himself as hard swingin’ pianist rooted in the traditions of bebop and swing and has already performed at venues such as Small’s Jazz Club, Smoke, The Iridium, Cleopatra’s Needle (running a weekly trio gig/jam session), The Garage, , Flute Bar, Tomi Jaz, The Velvet Lounge and several other venues both as a sideman and as a leader working with some of the best musicians in the city. His working bands include the great jazz drummers Fukushi Tainaka (drummer for Lou Donaldson), Jackie Williams (has played with all of the jazz greats including Teddy Wilson, Earl Hines, Barry Harris, Junior Mance, Doc Cheatham, Buck Clayton), bassists Paul Sikivie and Hide Tanaka (bassist for Junior Mance) and has performed with trombonist Benny Powell, saxophonist Jerry Weldon, drummer Jimmy Wormworth and others. Swingin’!Weblinks:www.marcdevine.com
