ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Kim Waters - Music is the one thing that everyone can turn to during this pandemic. It brings joy in these trying times,” says Kim Waters. Heralded as “Simply one of the planet’s best saxophonists” by JazzTimes Magazine and the “Pied piper of SmoothJazz” by Upscale Magazine, the prolific chart-topping saxophonist, composer, and producer has enjoyed a career longevity that is rare in the music business. 

Kayla Waters- Award-winning urban-jazz pianist Kayla Waters is a chart-topping recording artist, composer, producer and music director. After signing a multi-album record deal with Trippin N’ Rhythm (SONY), Kayla made Billboard history by becoming the first female pianist and composer to reign atop the charts at the No. 1 spot for 6 consecutive weeks. 

Legendary, Multi-Award Winning saxophonist Marion Meadows continues to raise the bar in Contemporary Jazz. His latest Album, "TWICE AS  NICE" delivers on all cylinders, with an All Star cast of Producers! Jeff Lorber, Chris "Big Dog' Davis and Paul Brown combine to make this another milestone in the Marion Meadows saga. Meadows continues to be a crowd favorite on and off the stage

-JAZZIZ

Tony Saunders is a newly signed Baja/TSR Records Artist and has a new CD All About Love. His last CD Sexy Somethin stayed on the charts for over 70 weeks. Starting his career playing with his Dad Merl Saunders & Jerry Garcia, Tony went on to play and record with Esther Phillips, Randy Crawford, Joe Sample, Etta James, Chaka Kahn, and smooth jazz artist Paul Jackson Jr, Jeff Lorber, Gail Jhonson, Paul Brown, Jessie J and Nils. The Rainforest band with Vernon Black, Kevin Wong, Gail Jhonson & Darian Gray join Tony for today's performance. Tony Wrote 5 songs on the current Rainforest Band CD. 

Under the direction of Scotty Barnhart with Guest vocalists Carmen Bradford and Jamie Davis.

In the history of Jazz music, there is only one bandleader that has the distinction of having his orchestra still performing sold out concerts all over the world, with members personally chosen by him, for over 30 years after his passing. Pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie was and still is an American institution that personifies the grandeur and excellence of Jazz. The Count Basie Orchestra, today directed by Scotty Barnhart, has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 18 Grammy Awards, performed for Kings, Queens, and other world Royalty, appeared in several movies, television shows, at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world.

Juan Escovedo began teaching himself how to play bongos, congas, trap drums, timbales, percussion and other instruments. at a young age. When he turned 14 he began playing with his father, Pete Escovedo.

Peter Michael Escovedo III,  is an Emmy nominated Musical Director / Producer, has earned recognition not only as a percussionist, but a producer, singer, songwriter, and television personality.

Brandon is currently working in Kingston, Jamaica. He is making progress on his new album featuring many legendary artist along the way. As a music producer; Brandon always finds a way to inspire any style of artist to create a catchy timeless sound.  Brandon's mixture of Raggae, jazz and Rock bought him to San Francisco where he recorded the song Short Change with Bassist Tony Saunders. The 2 have appeared as duo for a year and continue to write great music together.  

Najee is a master storyteller. Whether the debonair multi-instrumentalist is engaged in a verbal or musical conversation, his alluring charisma has a way of seducing you into his world. Center Of The Heart finds Najee doing what he does best - shape-shifting through diverse musical terrain and fusing all of the elements that have made him a fan favorite all of these years. The CD opens with the exhilarating and inviting “Bella Vista,” an original Najee penned with Demonte Posey that shines a spotlight on Najee’s dazzling, agile and pristine flute work.  

Jazz In Pink is the world-renowned, all-female, all-star band based in Los Angeles, CA.  Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, the founder of this amazing band, Gail Jhonson, is a Berklee College of Music alumni and in 2020, she received a master's degree from Southern New Hampshire University in conjunction with Berklee College of Music, in Music Business.  Her national break in the industry stemmed from her landing her first major gig with Morris Day of The Time. Gail has earned several additional awards including Best Composer/Piano from Black Women in Jazz. 

Her all-female jazz ensemble, Jazz in Pink celebrated their 10-year milestone in October 2019 and continues to wow jazz fans every time they take the stage! Gail is a member of NARAS and volunteers at Hands4Hope, a free after school program. Ms. Gail Jhonson is also nationally recognized as musical director for guitarist, Norman Brown, a position she has held solidly for many years. In 2019, Gail formed Jazz in Pink.org, a 501c3 non-profit organization; “Women Making Music a Choice” the theme that Jazz in Pink has adopted to empower, enrich, inform and inspire women and girls. As a recording artist, Gail/Jazz in Pink signed with Shanachie Entertainment in 2019. The current singles, Joy Joy and Keystroke did well on the charts! The complete CD Joy was released Oct. 2020. Gail is presently music contributor for 2 magazines, Indie Incognito and WIJSF Music Woman.

It started in the Napa Valley at The Blue Note. Then there was the Pandemic. After a while they realized they couldn’t survive without any music. And so started getting together to jam (socially distanced of course). These sessions evolved into songwriting sessions and before long they had a collection of great tunes. Now there is a CD. The result is an eclectic group of songs featuring smooth jazz, fusion and even some good ole rock and roll. The Noteworthy Band and their new CD will come out in 2021. These 4 musician have a love and respect for one another that translates into great music. As the house band for the Napa Blue Note, these 4 Stellar musicians were bought together to play behind all the local acts that showed up to play at the Napa Blue Note. They developed a love for one another and their jams turned into songs.