The Joel Holmes Quartet with special guests Gary Thomas and Steve Williams! Pianist/composer and rising star Joel Holmes debuts material from his new jazz CD African Skies. His quartet includes Joel on piano, Eric Wheeler on bass, and Joel's special guest: Gary Thomas on saxophone! Joel Holmes is an honest to goodness jazz piano prodigy. Some of us are convinced that he was playing piano in a previous life, but his official bio says that he began teaching himself tunes by ear when he was 4. His family moved to Baltimore from Virginia, so he could attend the Baltimore School for the Arts. He later attended the acclaimed Peabody Conservatory of Music at John Hopkins University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Performance. He gained popularity with his fellow students playing impressive performances at various festivals and venues, and he is a particular favorite accompanist among area singers. At 25, Joel composes his own style of music blending an array of traditional and contemporary jazz, gospel, R&B, soul, hip-hop, neo soul, funk, classical and pop. He says of his compositions, “My music is a direct expression of musical influences, spiritual freedom and personal interpretation.” In addition, he plays a repertoire of over three hundred well-known tunes He has opened for The Temptations, The Manhattans, Tonex, Regina Bell and Phil Perry. Joel’s accolades include a gold medal in the Act-so Competition of the NAACP, a silver medal in the Local and National Levels, an honorable mention in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, a finalist in the 5th annual Independent Music Awards, a recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Grant, and an honorable mention in the Vh1 song of the year awards. Because of his increasing popularity, as a pianist, accompanist and composer, Joel is touring extensively throughout the East Coast, and now world-wide. This past summer, Joel joined the touring band of Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon. Joel Holmes released his debut album, “Eternal Vision,” in 2004 and released his second CD “African Skies” this year. He teaches music at Univerity of Maryland – Baltimore County and splits his time between Baltimore and New York City. Eric Wheeler holds a Masters degree in music from Howard University. Eric is a native of Washington DC and he plays the stings bass or contra bass as well as the electric bass. He freelances with bands in Washington, DC; Philadelphia and New York City. Eric is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts in WDC, where he developed an appreciation for Jazz however, he also plays classical music. In addition to traveling up and down the east coast performing with various bands he as traveled to Japan, Venezuela, London and Paris for music festivals Gary Thomas – Is the Founder of the Jazz Studies degree program at Peabody Institute and it’s current Director and Chair. A native of Baltimore, MD, he is an internationally-known tenor saxophonist, flutist and educator. Has traveled the globe as both a leader and a sideman. Performance and recording credits alongside the likes of Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, John McLaughlin, Dennis Chambers, Pat Metheny, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jim Hall, Dave Holland, Nana Vasconcelos, Ron Carter, Vinnie Colaiuta, Billy Hart, Wynton Marsalis, David Sanborn, Joe Lovano, Geri Allen, Joshua Redman, Bobby McFerrin, Sam Rivers, Vanessa Williams, Betty Carter, George Benson, McCoy Tyner, Randy Brecker, James Newton, Jeff Watts, Marvin "Smitty"Smith, Patrice Rushen, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, John Scofield, Tony Williams, Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Smith, Steve Coleman, John Patitucci, Ravi Coltrane. With 11 recordings as a leader, more than 80 recordings as a featured sideman, and performances on every prominent stage worlwide, he has well established his status as one of the most coveted saxophonists on the jazz scene today. Two of his recordings as a leader, By Any Means Necessary and While the Gate Is Open, were named best recordings of the 1990s by Downbeat Magazine. Jazz critic Scott Yanow writes “As with altoists Steve Coleman and Greg Osby, Gary Thomas has developed his own fresh approach to improvisation, avoiding bop clichés and taking solos that are consistently full of surprising twists and turns. Lots of chances are taken and, Gary Thomas' music would never be called predictable. In the late '80s, Thomas gigged with both Miles Davis and Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition. He has also recorded frequently with Greg Osby, Michele Rosewoman, and Wallace Roney, in addition to leading his own sessions.” Commissioned by Baltimore Magazine to compose and record a suite of music representing a collection of more than fifty works of art featured in the September 2005 issue. The most recent highlights of Gary's activities would include his tenure with the British guitarist, John McLaughlin from 1997 to 1999 and he has been a member of the Herbie Hancock Quartet since 2002. Steve Williams grew up in Washington, DC. and attended the University of Miami, where he joined Monty Alexander's band, with whom he started to perform on the international scene. Back in Washington, Williams played with Milt Jackson, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Williams, Woodie Shaw, Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, John Hicks, Larry Willis, Mulgrew Miller and many others. He joined Gary Thomas' band, with whom he recorded one of his first compositions, “Pads”. Steve is probably best known for his long collaboration with vocalist/pinaist Shirley Horn, who would keep the same rhythm for twenty-five years section: Charles Ables (bass) and Steve Williams (drums). Critic Don Heckman wrote in the Los Angeles Times (February 2, 1995) about “the importance of bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steve Williams to the Horn's sound. Working with boundless subtlety, following her every spontaneous twist and turn, they were the ideal accompanists for a performer who clearly will tolerate nothing less than perfection”. His music relationship with the pianist and singer gave him the opportunity to tour the world and record with such artists as Toots Thielemans, Branford Marsalis and Wynton Marsalis, Carmen McRae, Roy Hargrove and Miles Davis. Williams moved back to New York in 2006, where he studied with Michael Carvin. He performs among others with the Slagle/Stryker Band, Paul Bollenbach, Roni Ben Hur, Larry Willis, the John Hicks Legacy Band, Bill Saxton, Bob Mover, Sara Lazarus, Ben Vereen, Joe Lovano, Eddie Henderson. Famous for his refinement with Shirley Horn, he is also appreciated as a powerful and sensitive instrumentalist favoring the musical conversation. He pursues his music career with his own quintet, promoting original compositions by the band members. The quintet has been internationally performing since 2206. Steve’s first album as the leader “New Incentive” was released in January 2007 with Olivier Hutman (p), Michael Bowie (b), Donvonte McCoy (t), and Antoine Roney (s). along with featured guest artists John Hicks, Gary Bartz and Roy Hargrove. Jazz Times wrote of Steve Willaims’ debut recording as a leader . “Steve Williams emerges as a leader with a potent modern-bop quintet... “ and jazz critics worldwide welcomed “New Incentive” with great enthusiasm. Ticket Link: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/44225 Student tickets are also available for $15.00