Jazz in the Park-Huntsville 2023 Program : simplebooklet.com

KNOW BEFORE YOU GOSCHEDULEJazz in the Park-Huntsville is held each Sunday in September from 5-9 p.m. Headlining performances generally begin at 7:30 p.m.FREE TO ATTENDJazz in the Park-Huntsville is a free event and does not require tickets.PARKINGThere is ample parking around Big Spring Park on the street and in Garage B (entry o Fountain Circle) and Garage M (entry o Clinton Avenue). The City of Huntsville does not charge for street parking on weekends.BRING A SEATAttendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket from home as they will not be provided.CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIESA Children’s Zone with face-painting and bubbles will be on site Sept. 3 and Sept. 24.IN CASE OF EMERGENCYHEMSI will have personnel on site at each concert.CLEANUPGarbage cans and recycling bins will be available throughout the venue, so please help keep the park clean.RESTROOMSA large mobile restroom facility will be available to the public.GOOD EATSNearby food trucks and restaurants will have food and beverages available for purchase.SUPPORT A CAUSELocal nonproﬁts will be available at Big Spring Park during the event. Stop by and learn more!PURPLE CUPBig Spring Park is part of the Quigley Arts & Entertainment District, which means alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park if they are in the designated purple cups. Alcoholic beverages in bottles and cans are not permitted.STAY WEATHER AWAREIn case of inclement weather, Jazz in the Park-Huntsville will move to Mars Music Hall on Sept. 3 and Sept. 10. Additional rain venues are being determined and will be announced Sept. 17 and Sept. 24. Venue changes will be announced the Thursday preceding the concert. Check local media for more information.

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Born in Oregon and raised in southern California of Hispanic heritage, Jessy is grateful her fans are inspired by her diverse musical roots. A jazz studies graduate from USC, Jessy paved the way for her success recording with Michael Bublé and touring with Jessica Simpson, The Temptations and Michael Bolton. She’s known for her trademark blend of sensual Latin-tinged powerful horn playing, which garnered 12 top singles and six chart-topping albums.Starting with the immediate No. 1 Billboard chart success with the title track from her debut album, “Tequila Moon,” the powerhouse saxophonist cemented her rising stardom touring with contemporary jazz greats like Lorber, Gerald Albright, Euge Groove and Peter White. She’s a regular performer on hit competition shows “American Idol,” “The Voice” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Recently, she’s toured with Anita Baker, recorded with Robin Thicke and contributed as composer/performer to the albums of two members of Chance the Rapper’s band—the Grammy-nominated self-titled album by Intellexual and “Exchange” by The Juju Exchange.After more than a decade as one of contemporary jazz’s top saxophonists, Jessy tapped into her longtime love for the vibrant soul and blues energies of the 60’s and 70’s. The result was “Blue,” her ﬁrst studio album in six years. Stylistically dierent from her previous recordings, “Blue” contains original songs and cover art reminiscent of some of the great albums of the era.Driven by a fresh spark of creativity following the pandemic lockdown, Jessy set out to create an album full of James Brownesque drums and tasty/bluesy Ray Charles organ licks showcasing some of her most passionate and robust tenor playing to date. “Writing and recording ‘Blue’ was an extraordinary experience,” she said. “I have missed the connection with my fans so much these past two years. On every level – physical, emotional, spiritual – music plays such an important role in healing us. It’s like therapy, making everything in life so much better and healthier.” HEADLINER: Jessy J jessyj.comWEEK ONE: SEPT. 3, 2023

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Tr3ple Threat, a combination of vocalists and instrumentalists, features Gina Payne (violin), Yo Jonesy (trombone) and Theresa Grayson (saxophone). Together, the group performs a mix of smooth jazz and old-school R&B.Payne completed her undergraduate studies in Public School Music at Norfolk State University under the instruction of former Concert Master for the Virginia Symphony violinist Dr. Peter Zaret. In addition to performing with various groups in the Tidewater, Virginia,, area, she has also performed as a solo artist in the Hampton Roads area as well as Norfolk and Richmond Jazz festivals.A Mobile native, Yo Jonesy brings to life a diverse mix of pop, rock, blues, R&B, jazz, hip-hop and reggae through her music while embracing all genre styles as a harmonic expression of her life. For the last seven years, Yo Jonesy has nourished the world with her soulful tunes and by interacting and connecting with fans. She’s famous for riding her hoverboard while performing.Grayson is a Houston-area music educator and saxophonist. She has since shared the stage and opened for notable contemporary jazz artists like Peter White, Marion Meadows, Mindi Abair and Ronnie Laws, as well as vocalists Michael Bolton and Will Downing. PRE-OPENING ACT: Erisa Nicoleerisanicole.comvwErisa Nicole is an up-and-coming smooth jazz saxophonist who has been captivating audiences with her soulful sounds since she ﬁrst picked up the instrument.Born and raised in San Diego, California, Erisa has always had a passion for music and was exposed to a wide range of genres growing up. This variety of inﬂuences has helped shape her unique sound and style.She has shared the stage with the likes of Jazz in Pink, Élan Trotman, J.J. Sansaverino, Daryl Williams, Donald Hayes, Nathan East, Adam Hawley, Con Funk Shun, and notable Gospel artists, Erica Campbell, DeWayne Woods and John P. Kee.Erisa holds a B.A. in music education from Point Loma Nazarene University and is working to obtain her master’s degree in music. She is an inspiring force in the jazz music scene and her passion for the genre is evident in her performances. She continues to expand her repertoire and evolve her sound.

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After graduating from Northern Illinois University, keyboardist and composer Brian Simpson relocated to Los Angeles where he played alongside musicians Gerald Albright and Norman Brown before touring with Janet Jackson.In 1990, Simpson received a call from George Duke that led to a decade of touring and production work with the late jazz legend. It was his tenure with Duke that led to working with a variety of artists, from James Ingram and Anita Baker to Dave Koz and Wayman Tisdale.The worldwide popularity of his music has kept Simpson on a seemingly endless world tour, which includes performances in Japan, Australia, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Spain, United Kingdom, Portugal and South Africa.With writing and performing credits on R&B chart-topping albums and Smooth Jazz Airplay charts, it’s clear why Simpson is also a veteran music director of so many jazz events. A recording artist with Shanachie Entertainment, he released his 10th album, “All That Matters,” in 2021.WEEK TWO: SEPT. 10, 2023HEADLINER: Brian Simpson Bsimpsonmusic.com

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A regular on the BET+ dramedy “Bruh,” Currelley portrays the over-the-top character of Alice. She also starred as Ms. V. in Tyler Perry’s “For Better or Worse” and herself in “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.”Currelley is the former lead singer of The S.O.S. Band and scored Top 20 hits with “Diamonds In The Raw” and “One of Many Nights.” She is the recipient of the Lady Soul of Jazz award, 2018 Atlanta Actors Award, BWIJA award for Best Female in The Arts & Theatre and The BIBO Reﬂection award for Outstanding Film & Media Achievement. A Gospel Choice Award nominee, Currelley has performed at The White House and toured Europe and Asia. Her ability to cross musical and theatrical styles provided opportunities to work with some of the greats, from Clarence Avant to jazz legend Roy Ayers, where she recorded the duet, “Let Me Love You.”She has released three solo albums, “Relationships,” “The Real Me” and “Love Songs,” which contains the hit song “Love Again” from “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”PRE-OPENING ACT: Noelette Leader facebook.com/noelette.leaderNoelette Leader is a classically trained gospel/jazz interpreter musician. She was born in Manhattan and started her formal education in Boston while also studying piano. During her high school years, she began working with Dr. John Andrews Ross in performance arts at the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Leader then moved on to Oakwood University, where she was classically trained in vocal performance. After marriage and raising two wonderful children, she returned to Oakwood to study theology.She’s shared the stage with The Richard Smallwood Singers, Edwin Hawkins, Daryl Coley and the brilliant jazz pianist and composer, Mary Lou Williams. She appears on the album, “Can’t You See the Light,” by the group Paradise and currently has a solo recording “Just To Say Thank You,” available Spotify and YouTube.

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For nearly three decades, Alex Bugnon has built a strong and loyal fan base across the country and around the world. His tour schedule has never eased, even besting the great Dizzy Gillespie’s record of appearances at Washington, D.C.’s Blues Alley. Last year marked Bugnon’s 20th consecutive year appearing at the legendary venue. He makes it a point of never missing a day of piano practice or of writing. If he is not composing, he is listening to his favorite artists and biggest inﬂuences: Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, Kenny Kirkland, Mulgrew Miller, Wynton Kelly, Joe Sample, George Duke and Keith Jarrett. A renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Bugnon hales from the picturesque town of Caux, Switzerland, 4 miles above Montreux, site of the world-famous Jazz Festival. No doubt, the annual convergence of some of music’s most illustrious names in his hometown played a role in his decision to pursue a musical career, as did his early friendship with Herbie Hancock. The fact that his uncle was the legendary Donald Byrd only served to further his decision. Bugnon left Montreux to continue his training at the Paris Conservatory before landing in Boston to study at the Berklee School of Music. It was here in the U.S. that his exposure to a diversity of musical styles, from R&B to gospel, jazz and funk, began to shape and inﬂuence his personal sound. Shortly after moving to New York City, Bugnon began touring with R&B artists, such as Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson, Patti Austin, James Ingram and Glenn Jones, to name a few. But it would be his encounter with saxophonist Najee that would ultimately turn the tide for him. Signed to Orpheus Records, Najee would make the introduction that would result in Alex’s ﬁrst recording contract. His ﬁrst album, 1989’s “Love Season,” catapulted the virtual unknown to prominence and set him on his musical course. The album rocketed to No. 2 on the R&B charts, was nominated for best jazz album at the Soul Train Awards, and earned him Black Radio Exclusive’s Best New Artist Award.In the early 2000s, Bugnon produced four albums for the Narada/EMI – “As Promised” (2000), “Soul Purpose” (2001), “Southern Living” (2003) and “Free” (2005). His next three albums were released under his own label, Xela Records, and another, “The Best Of,” under Michael Cuscuna’s Mosaic label.WEEK THREE: SEPT. 17, 2023HEADLINER: Alex Bugnon alexbugnon.com

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Saxophonist Bernard “BK” Jackson has electriﬁed audiences across the globe with his unique playing style, energetic stage presence and unparalleled passion for music that touches the soul. A native of Tampa, Florida, he’s crossed musical paths with industry giants such as B.B. King, Brian McKnight, Bruno Mars, Hunter Hayes, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, Zac Brown Band and more. Jackson spent four years touring domestically and abroad with musical icon Prince, performing timeless hits for sold-out arenas night after night as a member of his 11-piece horn section, known as New Power Generation (NPG) Hornz. Currently, Jackson can be found rocking the stage with New Orleans front man Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews as a member of the multi-talented musician’s touring band, Orleans Avenue.Jackson ﬁrst picked up the saxophone at the age of 11 and quickly began making a name for himself as a young performer to watch. Snagging numerous awards and recognitions for his undeniable talent and skill, Jackson was voted as the Tampa Bay Entertainer of the Year (First Annual Black Diamond Award) and was a NAACP ACT-SO (Afro Academic Technological Scientiﬁc Olympics) Gold Medal Winner. “Life of the Party,” his sophomore release, mixes today’s mainstream pop, hip-hop and R&B into a jazz format. Appearing alongside Jackson are Trombone Shorty, Adam Hawley, Ro$ Mac, Sherwood & The Loudpack, Nicholas Cole and more.The ﬁrst single from the album, “Paradise,” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard Smooth Jazz, SmoothJazz.com and Groove Jazz Music’s most added charts. The follow-up, “Velvet Ropes,” debuted at No. 1 on SmoothJazz.com and No. 2 on Billboard Smooth Jazz Most Added charts. PRE-OPENING ACT: Calhoun Community College Show BandUnder the direction of Dr. Matthew Leder, the Calhoun Community College Show Band features Calhoun students who practice and perform musical selections ranging from R&B, rock, country, jazz, New Orleans-style brass band and soul, as well as everything in between. The newly formed band began last year and is currently recruiting for its next set of band members. With 30 full scholarships still available for the fall semester, individuals who are planning to come to Calhoun and have musical talents are encouraged to apply.

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Often called the “Quincy Jones of gospel,” best-selling instrumentalist and keyboardist Ben Tankard has produced many stellar gospel projects and served as executive vice president at Tribute Records.Born in Florida to a minister father and missionary mother, he began playing drums in church at the age of three. He later graduated to tuba and was oered several music scholarships to college, though he eventually accepted a basketball scholarship instead.Tankard endured a rough period of depression and homelessness when a knee injury prevented him from turning professional (though he was drafted by the NBA). A visit to a revival service put him on the right track and, almost overnight, he became a very talented keyboard/organ player.Tankard began his witness in song with 1990’s “Keynote Speaker,” recorded for Tribute. He continued recording and soon moved into production and arranging, leveraging his early musical training to provide work for Yolanda Adams, the Alabama State Mass Choir and Michael Bruce. His albums are often light jazz works, oering soothing, reﬂective gospel instrumentals recalling mainstream eorts from George Benson and Kenny G. In addition to his numerous solo albums, Tankard has earned a plethora of gold and platinum records via his production work, collaborating with a host of Grammy-winning artists including Take 6, Fred Hammond, Kelly Price, John P. Kee, Shirley Murdock, Twinkie Clark and Gerald Albright. He issued the full-length album, “Rise!” in 2018.WEEK FOUR: SEPT. 24, 2023HEADLINER: Ben Tankard Bentakard.me

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A Los Angeles native who spent his teen years in Kansas City, Kansas, saxophonist and vocalist Marqueal Jordan has been based in the music-rich city of Chicago since 1995. Moving to the Windy City after earning a Business Administration degree at the University of Kansas, Jordan began paying dues by playing gigs in every musical style imaginable. In those early years, he earned his reputation as a seasoned and magnetic performer. Jordan was the front man for the critically acclaimed local original band, Fat Time, and a member of the spin-o band, Starcandy. By the early 2000s, he was in high demand to perform with top musicians and bands in the city.In 2008, Jordan met Smooth Jazz star Brian Culbertson. Impressed by his playing and singing, Culbertson oered Jordan a spot in his touring band. Over the next 10 years, Jordan traveled the world with Culbertson, appeared in two DVDs, and was featured on four albums. The exposure gave him the conﬁdence and desire to become a solo artist.Jordan’s solo debut album, “Catalyst,” was released in October 2013. It helped to establish him as an emerging artist in Smooth & Contemporary Jazz. After leaving Culbertson’s band in the summer of 2018, Jordan recorded his second project, “Intention & Purpose.” The album yielded two Top-20 hits on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Singles Chart, “If You Only Knew” and “The Edge.” His latest album, “All We Have Are Moments,” was released in 2022.In addition to leading and touring with his own band, Jordan occasionally tours with The Isley Brothers and the prodigious guitarist/vocalist Isaiah Sharkey.PRE-OPENING ACT: Angela BryantAngela L. Bryant, an inspirational jazz-soulful artist, is a native of Syracuse, New York. She’s passionate about music that inspires people to live their best life by pursuing their purpose. Bryant is a powerful performer, proliﬁc songwriter, profound speaker, author, recording artist and co-producer of three albums, and an amazing Mistress of Ceremonies.Since the age of seven, Bryant has performed at various events both nationally and internationally, and has been featured on the Cornerstone, 3ABN and local news networks.Since graduating from Oakwood University, Bryant has established Sounds 4 the Soul Entertainment, founded the nonproﬁt, By Your Side Ministries. She also produced and hosted the podcast, “Life Happens: Now what?”, co-founded Sofa Serenade, and authored the book, “Keeping Christ Center Stage.”Bryant, a woman of many gifts and talents, considers herself a living testimony of what God can do for those who love and trust Him with their life.

Jazz in the Park-Huntsville 2023 Program

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