An Evening of Jazz Performers

Sarah Elizabeth Charles, VoiceSarah Elizabeth Charles is a vocalist and composer based out of New York City. Sarah’s musical stylings are unique and the intricacies to her art focus on modernizing classics and composing distinctive originals.Sarah began her career in her hometown of Springfield, MA, studying and playing throughout the New England area. Sarah moved to New York City where she attended and graduated with a BFA from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and a BA from Eugene Lang College. Sarah has performed at numerous venues throughout New York City including The Apollo Theatre with Geri Allen, Blue Note NYC, The Iridium, Smalls Jazz Club, Zinc Bar NYC, and New York Couture Fashion Week. Performances outside of the city have taken her to such venues as the International Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland playing opposite Jack DeJohnette, The Kennedy Center in Washington DC as a selected member of the 2009 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Composers Residency."Ms. Charles has a soulfully articulate vocal style, a mix of strong projection and subtle detail." - Nate Chinen, The New York TimesJean Caze, TrumpetWinner of the 2004 National Trumpet Jazz Competition, 2006 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition, and second place in the 2007 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, Jean Caze has emerged as one of today’s most beautiful trumpet voices. Jean has performed with Michael Bublé, Herbie Hancock, Roberta Flack, and Al Jarreau to name a few. “Strong, and unexpectedly diverse, Mr. Caze confidently evoked Miles Davis on a pensive ballad, “Old Folks,” and a brisk anthem, “My Shining Hour.” -Nate Chinen, The New York TimesAaron Goldberg, PianoWith his trio and as part of various co-led projects, Aaron has spent the past 15 years composing, performing, and recording, as well as touring internationally alongside many jazz luminaries. He maintains an active interest in education and in the role of music in society, serving as an invited clinician at jazz workshops, universities, and conservatories worldwide, as well as a member of the instrumental faculty at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. A longtime friend of HELP and Haiti, Aaron has dedicated his time and talents to support a variety of recovery efforts since the 2010 earthquake, and inspired many of his peers in the jazz community to do the same.Jonathan Michel, BassBorn and raised in Waterbury, CT Jonathan was first introduced to music by his father at the age of 4. By age 9 he'd moved from guitar, to piano, to trombone before finally settling on the bass.Along with the performing and recording he does in New York and Philadelphia, Jonathan performs internationally touring and serving residencies. Since 2007, Jon has ben a member of Grammy award winner, and R&B freat, Billy Paul's band. Serving as Musical director the last two years. Jon has performed and toured with many great artists and leaders in music; Orrin Evans, Aaron Goldberg, Denise King, Melanie JB Charles, Paul Bollenbeck, Johnny O'Neal and Tim Warfield to name a few. In addition to co-leading an original music project the L.X.G. (www.TheLXG.com), Jonathan is also building a portfolio as a composer and producer. With ongoing projects in film, R&B, and gospel, he is looking to make an enduring mark on the industry.Allan Mednard, DrumsAllan Mednard was born and raised in Queens, New York. He began to play the drums at the age of 13. His early musical experiences involved New York City's All-City High School Music program, Bayside High School's Academy of Music, and Queens College's Center for Preparatory Studies in Music program. He graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in jazz performance from the City College of New York. While attending the City College of New York he studied with Carl Allen. Currently he is working with a variety of artists such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Aaron Parks, and has shared the stage with Ben Street, Dayna Stephens, Andrew D'Angelo, Jaleel Shaw, and many more. For updates check www.twitter.com/allanmednardJacques Schwarz-Bart, SaxophoneBorn in 1962 in Abymes (Guadeloupe), Jacques started playing saxophone at 24, an age when most musicians are already professionals. After three years of self-teaching, Jacques left his position as a senator's assistant in Paris, and headed to Berklee College of Music in Boston. He then moved to New York City, where he collaborated with many of the greats on the Jazz and Neo Soul scenes such as Roy Hargrove, Danilo Perez, Ari Hoenig, D'Angelo, Meshell N'Degeocello. In 2005, Jacques released his first project as a leader, Sone Ka La, receiving worldwide critical acclaimed many awards. This project revisits his native music from Guadeloupe through the prism of Jazz. His latest release, entitled Jazz Racine Haiti, made him an ambassador for a school of modern Jazz rooted in Voodoo music. Jacques' impressionistic writing, powerful tone, and wide-ranging language - both lyrical and angular - have fueled a growing presence on the world stage.