Jazz Orchestras

About the Artists

Etienne Charles

Trinidad born Etienne Charles is a performer, composer and storyteller, who is constantly searching for untold tales and sounds with which to tell them. His lush trumpet sound, varied compositional textures and pulsating percussive grooves enable him to invoke  trance, soothing and exciting listeners while referencing touchy and sometimes controversial subjects in his music. Highlighting marginalized communities and engaging with them has been his mission, evident with projects such as his Guggenheim Fellowship Project, Carnival: The Sound of a People Vol. 1, San Jose Suite, Creole Soul, Folklore and his latest commission, San Juan Hill - A New York Story. His concerts engage, enlighten, educate and enrich audiences with energized multidisciplinary performance utilizing original composition, thematic improvisation, dance, short films and spoken word to create a holistic experience. A firm believer in music and performance as a tool for provoking thought and dialogue, Charles’s themes speak to the status quo while drawing parallels to history.

 Diego Rivera

A world-class musician, composer, arranger and educator, Diego Rivera has entertained audiences for over 20 years. Rivera is known for his muscular tone and unique blend of straight-ahead jazz fused with music inspired by his Chicano background and heritage.  Since 1999 he has performed at the most prestigious venues and festivals across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. In addition to touring with his own ensemble, Rivera has performed with The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, and Kurt Elling. Rivera has released 5 critically-acclaimed albums as a leader for Posi-Tone records. He also has several other credits to his name as a recording artist, composer and arranger on the Mack Avenue and Detroit Music Factory Record Labels. A passionate educator Rivera has presented masterclasses at schools and universities both in the United States and abroad. Several of Professor Rivera’s former students enjoy careers as professional musicians performing with artists such as: The Christian McBride Big Band, Birdland Big Band, and The Count Basie Orchestra.

Michael Sailors

Mike Sailors is a critically acclaimed trumpeter, valve trombonist and arranger who’s toured the world appearing at the most celebrated festivals in the world including The Tokyo Blue Note Jazz Festival, The Newport Jazz Festival, The EFG London Jazz Festival, The Montreal Jazz Festival, The Detroit Jazz Festival and the Ravinia Music Festival, to name a few. Sailors has received commissions and composed/arranged for Mack Avenue Records, Decca Records, Dewey Redman, Terrell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Jimmy Cobb, Lady Gaga, Sleep No More and many other organizations, jazz greats, entertainers and Broadway shows. He is a copyist for the Jazz at Lincoln Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis, and former copyist for The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra led by Arturo O’Farrill.  Sailors leads The Mike Sailors Sextet and Nonet, The Higher Calling Orchestra, co-leads The New Alchemy Jazz Orchestra, and is a member of the GRAMMY nominated Multiverse Big Band, led by Bobby Sanabria while also maintaining a highly active freelance schedule locally and nationally.

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Musicians

JAZZ BAND

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

JAZZ ORCHESTRA

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