Harvey Pittel is an award winning and internationally acclaimed classical saxophonist who has performed as a soloist with many of the world's greatest orchestras and has recorded extensively as a soloist and with ensembles including his own saxophone quartet. He is the Professor of Saxophone at The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music.

Bob Mintzer - Eastman Soprano Saxophone

Saxophonist Bob Mintzer is a twenty year member of the Grammy award winning Yellowjackets who also leads a Grammy winning Big Band, travels with his own Quartet, and plays with numerous bands globally. He is the recipient of the Buzz McCoy endowed chair of jazz studies at the University of Southern California.

Mike Vaccaro - Eastman Black/Silver Tenor Saxophone

Since 1975 Mike has performed as a freelance musician in virtually every performance situation in the Los Angeles area. Most recently he has been performing at the Pantages Theater, South Bay Civic Light Opera, with The Pageant Of The Masters Orchestra, Long Beach Grand Opera, and in a variety of recording studios, venues, and at concerts throughout the area. Recent recording engagements include The Academy Awards, and the motion pictures, Up, Star Trek, Speed Racer, Ratatouille, Hairspray, Land of the Lost, and Mission Impossible lll, The Incredibles, etc.

Tony White

Saxophonist, Music Educator and Music Consultant, Anthony “Tony” White plays professionally in the Los Angeles area and has spent 21 years of his life dedicated to music education as a teacher and performing arts coordinator with the Los Angeles Unified School District. In 2008, he released the “The Tony White Project” and is currently in pre-production of a duet project. Inspired by artists such as Ernie Watts, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock and Sting, Tony studied music at The University of California, Riverside.

Will Holton

Will Holton is a fresh face and sound to the international jazz scene. Among this new era of saxophonists he is second to none. A producer and songwriter for industry giants yet, He not forgot his humble beginnings and continues his grassroots grind. He has recorded to date 2 of his own projects (cds) as well as recorded with the international choir “The New Beginnings Chorale Ensemble”. Cementing his reputation of being a smooth yet savvy musician, he made a decision to crossover to jazz by working with such notables as longtime friend “2x Grammy Nominee & Pioneer of Smooth Jazz” – Najee, American Idol Winner-Ruben Studdard, “Grammy Award Winning Singer”-India Arie and formerly with Incognito-Maysa Leak. Additionally, Will has also played with “guitar virtuoso”-Stanley Jordan, Keyshia Cole, Carl Thomas, “Hands of Soul”-Joseph Wooten, Ryan Leslie, Dwele, and as of latest “Jazz Legend”-Roy Ayers just to name a few. He also toured with “The UniverSouls Circus” in 2004. One of the momentous occasions for Will was being awarded the Buffalo Music Award as New Original 1st year artist. In 2009, Holton made his international writer/publisher debut writing the song “Love You A Lifetime” for 2x Grammy Nominee Najee (released “Mind Over Matter” from Heads Up) which also features Eric Benet and Jeff Lorber.

Kirk Tracy

Since picking up the saxophone while in Junior High School back in the 1980s, Kirk Tracy enjoyed developing his sound and playing in the Orange County/Los Angeles music scene. While still in school Kirk had the honor of studying with New Orleans great Jerry Jumonville as well as Southern California saxophone masters Eric Marienthal and Doug Webb. Once Kirk was in his late teens he became busy playing with The Shirelles, The Ink Spots, Dave Wakeling (The English Beat and General Public), and recorded the Epic Records debut release of the ska group Save Ferris. Kirk has also recorded many t.v. and film spots as well. Although once he met his wife Nicole he was determined to create a group with her that celebrated "Classic American Music"...and thus The Kid and Nic Show was born. A fun, high energy, interactive show that features a blend of swingin' blues, rock and roll, latin and a variety of other genres. Since the formation of this husband and wife led five piece band in 1997, The Kid and Nic Show has performed regularly from the House of Blues stages in Hollywood and Anaheim to clubs, casinos, theaters, festivals and special events across the country. Past tours have taken the show to over 15 states. The Kid and Nic Show has been featured on The Discovery Channel, The Food Networks "Bobby Flay's Food Nation", as well as morning news shows in Minnesota, South Dakota, Nevada and Arizona. Their story has also been told in periodicals across the nation. Songs from Kid and Nic's lates release "Goin' Downtown" are enjoying regular rotation on radio stations across the nation and around the world! Kid and Nic take their audiences on a trip across the landscape of American music and comedy for a show that provides a lot of laughs, memorable tunes and a genuine feeling of joy! Kirk Tracy is a proud player and promoter of The Eastman 52nd St. Tenor Saxophone.

Felipe Salles

A native of São Paulo, Brazil, Felipe Salles is an Assistant Professor of Jazz and African-American Music Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Being an active musician in the US since 1995, he has had the opportunity to work and record with prominent jazz artists like Randy Brecker, David Liebman, George Russell, Gunther Schuller, Sam Rivers, Herb Pomeroy, Jerry Bergonzi, Jovino Santos Neto, Oscar Stagnaro, Duduka Da Fonseca, Maucha Adnet, Tony Lujan, Luciana Souza, and Bob Moses. Felipe Salles is a 2009-2010 winner of the French American Jazz Exchange Grant from FACE, and Chamber Music America, and a 2005-2006 winner of the Chamber Music America New Works: Creation and Presentation Grant Program, both projects sponsored by The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. He has also been awarded First Place in the Concurso SGAE de Jazz “TETE MONTOLIU”, 2001, with the composition “The Return of The Chromo Sapiens”. As a composer and arranger, Felipe Salles has had arrangements and compositions performed by The Metropole Orchestra, Westchester Jazz Orchestra, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Violas, Meta4 String Quartet, University of Massachusetts Amherst Jazz Orchestra and Studio Orchestra, Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra, Manhattan School of Music Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra, New England Conservatory Jazz Orchestra, and New England Conservatory JazzBand. The Felipe Salles’ fifth release, “Departure”, on the Capri/Tapestry Label, has received raving reviews. In its four star review, Downbeat Magazine calls Felipe’s music “crafting pieces that juggle intriguing complexity with buoyant rhythms and lush colors” and describes “his success in translating that approach to a more nimble small band without losing any of the richness or diversity.” A feature review on JazzTimes Magazine says “Felipe Salles blends the visceral and the cerebral on his fascinating fifth album, infusing classical modernist strains with the buoyant rhythms of his Brazilian homeland.” Felipe is currently a member of the New World Jazz Composers Octet, Kyle Saulnier's Awakening Orchestra, Alex Alvear's Mango Blue and Gonzalo Grau's La Clave Secreta.

Kenyon Carter

Kenyon Carter is an Atlanta-based jazz saxophonist and international recording artist recognized for his melodic smooth jazz compositions and engaging live performances. His soulful style and rich sound have been compared to contemporary smooth jazz favorites like Boney James, Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum and Gerald Albright. Kenyon's most recent smooth jazz album, Right By My Side, has received widespread international radio play and "Sky Line" and "Sangria Sunday" were listed among GrooveJazzMusic.com's "Top 100 of 2012". "Sangria Sunday" remained at the tops of smooth jazz radio charts for more than 10 weeks. Raised in South Georgia, Kenyon’s call to jazz came early, picking up his first saxophone at thirteen. He began his formal education at Valdosta State University, where he earned Bachelor’s degrees in both Jazz Performance and Music Education. Later, he pursued graduate work at Georgia State University, where he earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies. Kenyon currently maintains a busy schedule of performances, composition, and serves as the instructor of jazz saxophone at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. Kenyon also works with his private studio of students, regardless of their location, via internet video call lessons.

The Rebirth Brass Band is a New Orleans brass band. The group was founded in 1982 by tuba/sousaphone player Philip Frazier, his brother, bass drummer Keith Frazier. Rebirth is known for combining traditional New Orleans brass band music, including the New Orleans tradition of second line with funk, jazz,soul and hip hop. The band regularly tours North America and Europe. In 2011, Basin Street Records released the CD Rebirth of New Orleans, which reached number 1 on the CMJ Jazz charts and earned the group a 2012 Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album.

Dr. Eddie Elsey

Dr. Eddie Elsey was born in Zachary, LA. He received the Bachelor of Music Education in 1999 from Northwestern State University (Louisiana), the Master of Music in trombone performance from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2001, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in trombone performance and pedagogy from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2008. His principal teachers of study were Dr. William Mathis and Dr. Marta Hofacre. Additional instruction has come from David Vining of the Cincinnati Conservatory; Ron Wilkins, jazz trombone recording artist; K. Thomas Brantley of the University of South Florida, and Larry Campbell of Louisiana State University.

Willie Murillo

Willie Murillo is proud to be a product of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association public school system. His journey began as the only student in SCSBOA history to be chosen as principle trumpet in both the Honor Jazz Band and Honor Orchestra all four years of his high school career. Since then, Murillo, a Grammy Award winner, has made his mark as one of the top studio trumpeters, music educators, commercial writers, and producers in the world.

Adam Hayes

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Adam Hayes is an internationally recognized performer, educator, and clinician. A versatile musician, Adam has performed throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, including performances with over 40 professional orchestras throughout the world. With an interest in new music and creative music, Adam endeavors to promote the latest in solo trumpet repertoire. His debut album CURRENT, features innovative compositions for solo trumpet and piano and is distributed internationally on Curvepoint Media. Adam actively commissions new works for trumpet by a variety of composers. He has given the world-premiere performances of over 12 significant works for trumpet. Adam was a featured artist at the 2012 International Trumpet Guild Convention, premiereing Amy Dunker's Etesian Traveler, an innovative composition for trumpet, piano, percussion, and dance. Adam has published articles and reviews for music publications, including the International Trumpet Guild Journal. Adam's book, In Theory: The Trumpet, is a trusted resource in the collegiate trumpet studio. Adam has performed with professional ensembles including The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Atlanta Opera, The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, The Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra, The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, The Hollywood Festival Orchestra, The Hollywood Hills Orchestra, The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra, The Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, The Dayton Philharmonic, The West Virginia Symphony, The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, The Richmond Symphony, The Chattanooga Symphony, and numerous regional orchestras. Adam has been a soloist with the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, and has performed on studio-recording and commercial engagements from cruise lines to Broadway shows. He has performed with notable artists such as Diana Krall, The Indigo Girls, Bela Fleck, Mannheim Steamroller, Edwin McCain, Joan Osborne, Neil Sedaka, New York Voices, Chris Potter and John Cowan. Several of Adam's solo, chamber and orchestral recordings have been broadcast on radio and television. He can be heard on labels including ACA, 5ive Happiness, Curvepoint, Hal Leonard, and Mark Records. Adam Hayes is Artist-in-Residence and Assistant Professor of Music at Berry College in Rome, GA where he teaches the trumpet studio and courses in music. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast, and is the Solo Reviews Editor for the International Trumpet Guild youth website. Currently, Adam serves as President of the Georgia Association of Jazz Educators. Prior to his appointment at Berry College, he taught at Clemson University, North Georgia College & State University, The University of New Mexico, Truett-McConnell College, and for the Georgia Governor's Honors Program. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music from the University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor of Music from The University of Georgia. As an artist for Eastman Trumpets, Adam performs worldwide as a soloist and clinician. Follow him on the web

Lucio V. Alvarez III

Lucio V. Alvarez III, one of Houston's most recognized Latin musicians, continues to master the ever-changing genre that is Tropical music. Whether it is salsa, merengue, bachata or any latin rhythm for that matter, Lucio takes every style and performs them true to their specific region. “It is not just playing the notes on the page. It is making the salsa sound Colombian, Cuban, Puertorican…ect. The sound, swing, articulation, and perspective are all different and what I have found is that not everyone takes the time to respect the swing.” he says. A percussionist at heart, Lucio's inclination was to be a drummer, but turned to the trombone instead after all the percussion spots were filled when selecting an instrument to pursue in middle school. He has quickly moved up the regional music scene ladder after attending Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Lucio has recorded for Nando y Solja Kingz, Neo-soul R&B gospel group SoulFruit among others… “Being an Eastman Artist is an honor. Their trombones handle the rigorous playing conditions that Tropical music demands. My ETB634G is by far the best trombone I have used to date. The tone and control gives me just the right amount of cut I need to excel my performance to the level any artist expects. I do not anticipate switching ever.” Currently, Lucio is a full-time member of La Orquesta Salmerum in Houston. When time permits, He freelances/records for multiple groups in and around the Houston area. Lucio has performed with international Grammy winning celebrities such as La India, Grupo Niche, Rey Ruiz, Jerry Rivera, Tito Nieves, Ismael Miranda, Tito Rojas, Isaac Delgado, and many more. Recently, Lucio has had the honor to be in the regular rotation at Lakewood Church in Houston as a substitute in the Oasis Brass, a world-class brass ensemble.

Nathaniel H. Dickey

Nathaniel H. Dickey serves on the Concordia College faculty as assistant professor of music, teaching low brass and conducting the Concordia Symphonic Band and the Cobber Athletic Band. Dickey is principal trombonist of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, trombonist of the Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome, and was formerly lead trombonist of the Jazz Arts Group of Fargo-Moorhead. He has performed with the IRIS Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Vermont Symphony, and Boston Ballet. An active chamber musician, he was a founding member of the Orion Trombone Quartet (winner of the Coleman Competition) and the Brass Mosaic, with which he performed at Carnegie Hall. As a soloist, Dickey has performed with the Concordia College Band, the Concordia College Orchestra, and the Concordia College Jazz Ensemble, as well as many public school ensembles. He has recorded with the IRIS Orchestra, the Paramount Brass, and Boston Symphony Orchestra principal trombonist Ron Barron. As a performer and conductor, Dickey has commissioned and premiered works from numerous renowned composers, including Andrew Boysen, Jr., Stephen Paulus, Elliott Schwartz, Mark Camphouse, Carol Barnett, Mary Ellen Childs, Allen Feinstein, Allen Carter, Steven Makela, and Russell Peterson. With the Concordia Symphonic Band, he directs the annual Composers Concert series, featuring contemporary music, including the work of student composers. Dickey previously served as assistant director of bands at Harvard University. Dickey holds degrees from Oberlin College and Conservatory (B.A. mathematics, B.M. music performance), Rice University (M.M. music performance), and the University of Minnesota (D.M.A. music).

As his career escalated, Kevin has become a premier bassist /producer on the music scene. Today, he has found great success working with many of the world's top recording artists, entertainers, musicians, and is involved in a myriad of events within the music, entertainment, television, multimedia, web designing and film industries. In 2007 he was awarded by the National Association of Recording Arts and Science Double Grammy 's for his musicianship and participation on the 2007 Grammy Nominated " Album of the Year " and "Best Pop Vocal Album " Justin Timberlake "FutureSex/LoveSounds", 2006 Best R&B Album of the Year "Breakthrough" by Mary J Blige , 2005 Beyonce and Stevie Wonder " So Amazing " single and the 2004 Grammy Album Of The Year , Best Rap Album , " OUTKAST ".

Ryan Joseph

Ryan Joseph has been performing since he was 2 1/2 years old. Born in a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA Ryan began with his Grandfather (who was also a fiddler) and his family’s band, and he was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004 with them. Ryan graduated with a 4.0 average and a Music Education degree in 3 1/2 years from Duquesne University, and is currently finishing his Master's degree in Instrumental Pedagogy at Belmont University. He has performed on the Academy of Country Music Awards, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Conan O'Brian, The View, Fox and Friends, Army Wives, and several times on the Grand ‘Ole Opry. Currently, Ryan tours with country legend Alan Jackson. He has also toured and recorded with Grand 'Ole Opry Member Craig Morgan, Mercury Recording Artist and Tony Award Nominee Laura Bell Bundy, Multi-Platinum Selling Recording Artist and TV-Star Billy Ray Cyrus, Bigger Picture Recording Artist Chris Cagle, and 4-time Grammy Nominee and ACM Award Winner Jamie O’Neal.

Patrick Clark

Patrick Clark is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in violin and fiddle. He holds the titles of Arizona State Fiddle Champion, Four Corner States Fiddle Champion and has won multiple championships on the state and regional level. In 2006, Patrick graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Violin Performance and a secondary focus on education. While in college, he started touring with American Idol contestant Josh Gracin. Patrick has gone on to perform with artist like Big and Rich, Sara Evans, Roy Clark, Mark Chesnutt, Mark Wills, Shannon Brown, Pam Tillis, Crystal Gayle, Brenda Lee, James Otto, Lee Brice, Chuck Wicks, Collin Raye, and a three and a half year stint with Darius Rucker. His television appearances include The Oprah Winfrey Show, David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ellen, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, The Jimmy Kimmell Show, Jimmy Fallon, Wendy Williams, Bonnie Hunt, The View, Dancing With The Stars, The ACM Awards, The CMA Awards, and The CMT Awards. As professional violinist, Patrick has performed as a soloist and substitute with Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. He’s also arranged pieces performed by Tuscaloosa Symphony. Patrick has been teaching for over ten years and has taught at Tennessee State University in Nashville. Patrick is also a clinician for Eastman Strings and has presented sessions at the American String Teachers Association conference. He is a Suzuki trained teacher and has experience with all levels. As a clinician, he teaches classical repertoire, fiddling, directs orchestras, teaches classical and fiddle master classes, and teacher pedagogy for fiddling. Patrick has written a fiddle methods book called “Fiddle 4 Every Level,” that bridges the gap between classical and fiddle pedagogy and uses it frequently in his group clinics.