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Jonathan Daddis Pianist From backbeat stomp, to lightening runs, to virtuosic classical arpeggios and beautiful melodic lines, Jonathan Daddis has positioned himself as one of the most compelling pianists today, with a sound distinctly unique, and a blazing technique and soft touch. Jonathan studied classical piano with Steve Heyman as a scholarship student at Syracuse University, as well as with Rorianne Schrade at Temple University Prep, and post graduate he studied jazz piano with Ben Paterson. He first came to national notoriety through his playing, composing, and touring with jam band, Blind Man’s Sun. After which, a move to LA brought with it a ton of opportunity and adventure. He was a principal member in the pop group, Balance, and has shared bills with or performed for Brian McKnight, Dave Navarro, Steven Schwartz, Kara Dioguardi (this was featured on Los Angeles’ CBS2 news), Michale Bolton, Vanessa Williams, The Roots, Pharcyde, Jon Scofield, Los Lobos, The Samples, DJ Shadow. In addition to 5 recordings with Blind Man’s Sun and Balance, Jonathan has 3 solo cd’s...Zeppelin Jams (2020), My Kind of Music (2021), and Late Bloomer (2024) out on Mother West Records. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

The Frost Duo Christian Gratz • LeahBeth Evans The Frost Duo is comprised of instrumentalist Christian Gratz and vocalist LeahBeth Evans. The Frost Duo composes music and provides music services for events across the US. Primary style: R&B, Smooth Jazz, Traditional Jazz, Soft Rock Additional Music Styles and services: The Frost Duo provides cover music services as well for private events, public clubs and venues in the style of: Rock Jazz R&B Pop Country The Frost Duo original jazz compositions have been heard on BBC radio, Itunes Jazz charts and BDS/Neilson Most Added. They have worked with artists such as Oli Silk, Thom Rotella, David Shaver and Adam Hawley. They have opened for artists such as Louis Prima Jr. and the Whitnesses and Jill Sobule. In 2024, their smooth jazz radio single “Saturate” landed Apple Music editorial playlist and can be heard on “Smooth Jazz Cruise” by Apple Music today. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Sean Markey Musician • Composer • Arranger • Band Leader • Educator Sean Markey has been a prominent figure in the Philadelphia Jazz and Indie scene as a guitarist and vocalist for the past 12 years. As a composer and arranger, Markey writes challenging and harmonically dense material that challenges its musicians while leaving the audience with memorable melodies that stay in the mind of the listener. As a songwriter, Markey writes introspective lyrics that deal with the human experience, growth, and mental health along with humor and a sense of not taking themselves too seriously. Markey has been successfully running his Jam Session at The El Bar every Tuesday Night for 11 years! Sean leads his own trio, and several combos along with his own indy rock band Shoot The Messenger as its primary songwriter and lyricist. Markey currently works with Nicole Saphos Band, Maria Marenzi, Triambic Organ Trio, Lucas Brown, and is currently working on various works to release in the future. Sean is also an educator with private students and a teacher at Settlement Music School. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Lucas Brown Musician • Composer • Educator Lucas Brown is a performing artist, composer and educator. He actively performs both Jazz and classical music and has performed around the US and Canada as well as in Europe and Asia. He toured extensively as a member of Joey DeFrancesco’s final trio. His compositions have been presented throughout the US and Europe. A member of the faculty at Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music, Lucas holds a BM in Jazz Performance from Temple University and a MM in Organ Performance from Westminster Choir College. Lucas was a member of saxophone legend Bootsie Barnes' organ trio from the age of 21. He has performed with such Jazz artists as Joey DeFrancesco, Pat Martino, Eric Alexander, Terell Stafford, and Gerald Veasley, and is a sideman on numerous recordings. He was awarded the Clef Club Jazz Award in 2014 in recognition of his contributions as an organist in Philadelphia. Lucas was a member of the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour (PennPAT) artist roster as a member of the group Three Blind Mice, with Victor North and Wayne Smith Jr. He has also performed with Opera Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Lucas was featured on Joey DeFrancesco’s final album, More Music, released in September of 2021. Lucas maintains a busy performance schedule on the Jazz scene and serves as organist at the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield, NJ. He also serves at historic Christ Church in Philadelphia, accompanying their monthly choral vespers series. Previously, Lucas spent over a decade at Mt. Airy Presbyterian in Philadelphia. He earned his Master's degree in Organ Performance at Westminster Choir College as a student of Alan Morrison and is an active member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He has frequently been a featured artist at Organ Day at the Kimmel Center. Lucas has had his works as a composer performed at such venues as Grimsby Minster (UK), Torino Esposizioni in Italy, Movement Research at the Judson Church in NYC, and Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke. Lucas’ Jazz suite, SkyViews, was commissioned by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts for a premiere performance in 2019 and his album, Skyviews, was released in November 2019. Lucas was commissioned in 2014 to premiere a new composition as part of “If You Could Hear These Walls”, a collaborative project sponsored by Philadelphia Mural Arts and the American Composers Forum. He collaborates frequently with choreographer and media artist, Jung-eun Kim. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Alex Levin Trio Pianist • Composer • Arranger Philadelphia pianist and composer Alex Levin plays jazz trio music that evokes the 1950s and 1960s trios led by Ahmad Jamal, Wynton Kelly, Bill Evans, and Vince Guaraldi. Over a recording career spanning two decades, Alex has established his trio as an international favorite (his first recording, Night and Distance, achieved cult favorite status in Japan). Since then, his music has been heard on WRTI and WXPN, as well as across the country and internationally. Alex and his band were recently featured in an episode of the NFL Films production, A Football Life. Alex plays at venues and events across the country. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Philadelphia based saxophonist, composer and educator Chris Oatts has been hailed as “a force to be reckoned with,” by All About Jazz. Chris has performed, recorded, or toured with the likes of Seal, Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five, The Philly Pops, Terell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and The Temptations. Chris Oatts Musician • Band Chris Oatts is an acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and educator renowned for his lush sound, virtuosic technique, and soulful improvisations that bridge the rich tradition of jazz with a bold vision for its future. Hailed as "a force to be reckoned with," Chris has performed, recorded, and toured globally—both as a leader and alongside an impressive roster of artists including Seal, the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Band, Terell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Dick Oatts, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and The Temptations. A versatile artist, Chris’ work as a composer reflects his deep love for hard-swinging jazz, intricate harmony, and lyrical melody. His compositions blend complex arrangements with spontaneous improvisation, creating a sound that is both innovative and rooted in tradition. Born into a rich musical legacy in Des Moines, Iowa, Chris is the nephew of alto saxophone legend Dick Oatts, with whom he studied at Temple University in Philadelphia. His father, Jim, played trumpet with jazz icons Stan Kenton and Machito and was a member of the jazz-rock band Chase. Music runs deep in the Oatts family, with Chris’ grandfather, Jack Oatts, being a trailblazer in jazz education—credited with founding Iowa’s first high school jazz band and influencing generations of jazz musicians across the Midwest. Chris still performs on his grandfather’s Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone to this day. As both a saxophonist and composer, Chris has released two acclaimed albums. His latest, Personalities, features both quintet and nonet ensembles, with legendary jazz trumpeter Terell Stafford and some of the finest musicians from Philadelphia and New York. The album offers fresh interpretations of jazz standards alongside deeply personal original compositions. His debut album, First Quintet, showcases his distinct voice as a composer, featuring a stellar lineup of Philadelphia-based musicians. Chris is also the leader of the Pretty Big Band, a ten-piece ensemble that blends the power of a big band with the energy of small group improvisation. The band performs regularly in Philadelphia and serves as a platform for Chris’ unique compositions and arrangements, each piece designed to highlight the talents of the exceptional musicians within the group. In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Chris founded the LOVE Jazz Orchestra, a group dedicated to preserving the traditions of Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, while commissioning new works from Philadelphia-based composers. An active and dedicated educator, Chris teaches at the Boyer College of Music at Temple University and the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA. He has also held faculty positions at the University of the Arts and the Media Arts Council, where he helped develop jazz programming for local youth. As a co-founder of the Philadelphia Saxophone Guild, Chris is committed to fostering the next generation of musicians and nurturing the rich cultural landscape of Philadelphia's jazz community. With a deep commitment to both performance and education, Chris Oatts continues to shape the future of jazz while honoring its past. CHRISOATTS.COM BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Jake Kaplan Bassist • Composer • Writer Through various streams of creative output, Jake Kaplan seeks to explore the depth of the human experience from his own point of view. However, he believes that human experience remains shallow without experiencing the point of view of others. Through honest performance, education, and composition, Jake Kaplan wants to help others explore the depths human experience as well. While his work ranges from artistic to commercial, he is known for maintaining an authentic sense of artistic integrity. His experience leading ensembles, organizing large groups, and rehearsing his own compositions has put him in a position of being able to see a vision through to completion, while still leaving other creators space to express themselves. Jake Kaplan received his Bachelor's in jazz bass performance from the University of the Arts (w/ honors), and his Master's in jazz composition from the New England Conservatory (w/ honors). He is greatly influenced by his private teachers Micah Jones and Frank Carlberg, who encouraged him to explore his own artistic identity without sacrificing the space for other artists to be who they are. Jake is currently on faculty at Rowan College at Burlington County. He runs a private home studio as well, focusing on composition and bass lessons for students at any level from beginner to advanced. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Dariel Peniazek Guitarist • Tresero • Composer • Arranger • Producer • Educator Coming up in Philadelphia, Dariel had the great privilege to be surrounded and inspired by some of the most prolífic Jazz, R&b, and gospel players on the scene today. As his career progressed, his love for Latin-American and afro-caribbean music led him to his own musical crossroads, combining the grit and and soul of Philadelphia with the captivating rhythms of Latin America. Through his compositions, Dariel aims to bring a fresh approach to latin jazz, creating an intercultural exchange that can only be felt and expressed through the music itself. Dariel can be seen performing his instrumental music in various configurations, ranging from trio or quartet to larger, orchestrated ensembles. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Fire Museum Presents curates low-cost and free all-ages musical performances in Philadelphia that range from traditional to experimental and local to global, including genres that defy boundaries. We partner with venues across the city, creating opportunities for our passionate audiences to meet artists in their own neighborhoods. Fire Museum Presents Concert Series Fire Museum Presents curates low-cost and free all-ages musical performances in Philadelphia that range from traditional to experimental and local to global, including genres that defy boundaries. We partner with venues across the city, creating opportunities for our passionate audiences to meet artists in their own neighborhoods. Fire Museum Presents started our work of building relationships with artists and diverse audiences in the San Francisco Bay Area in January 2001 and over the years we have presented over 600 events, primarily live music performances but also dance, film screenings, video premieres and theater. We have occasionally presented and co-presented events in Mattancherry, Kerala, India. We hosted our first Philadelphia event in May 2007 and incorporated as a non-profit in June of 2023. FIREMUSEUMPRESENTS.COM BACK TO VENUES BACK TO STUDIOS Not a venue member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Earl Phillips Big Band Bandleader Earl Phillips is active as composer/arranger, educator, and bass trombonist in the greater Philadelphia area. As a composer/arranger, Earl directs and writes for the Earl Phillips Big Band and has led his own 17-piece big band since 2007. As an educator, Earl is the Professor of Jazz Trombone and a member of the Composition / Arranging faculty at Rowan University. Earl is also the Director of thel Jazz Ensemble, and teaches Music Theory and Music Technology at Cherokee High School. Earl has also directed the Philadelphia Grammy Band (2005-2007), the All South Jersey Jazz Ensemble (2008 &2012), the All Central Jersey Jazz Ensemble (2014) and he has been a clinician/manager with the New Jersey All State Jazz Ensemble (2009-2014). In 2020, through the COVID pandemic, Earl ran 2 All-State Jazz Ensembles to keep region jazz running and, for those efforts, was recognized as the 2020 New Jersey Association of Jazz Education “Teacher of the Year” award. Earl is a graduate, with honors, of the University of the Arts, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Bass Trombone Performance (’04), a Masters Degree in Music Education (’05) and a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance / Jazz Composition from Rowan University (’11). Among performances and recording sessions as the leader of the Earl Phillips Big Band, Earl, as a bass trombonist, has shared the stage with Wayne Newton, Patti Austin, Kurt Elling and has also recorded with, most notably, Kid Cudi, Will Smith, Boyz II Men, and John Legend, among others. The John Legend recording (So Amazing: A Tribute to Luther Vandross) won 2 Grammy Awards in 2005. In his spare time, Earl is also working in the Thad Jones Living Archive, housed at William Patterson University, archiving the original manuscripts of his hero, Thad Jones. Earl’s research and individual study of Thad has also enabled him to be a contributor to the Thad Jones Living Archive. Earl is also a published author having articles printed in the ‘Jazz Education Journal’, and ‘Downbeat Magazine’, as well as a published composer/arranger through Northeastern Music Publications. Earl Phillips resides in West Deptford, New Jersey with his beautiful wife Jennifer and their three children, Madeline, Zachary, and Luke. For more information, to hear the Earl Phillips Big Band, and/or to reach Earl directly, please use the contact and social media links below. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Kevin Valentine Jazz Vocalist Kevin sings & swings with an easy effortless style that lets a piece tell its own story using a variety of rhythms, melodies & harmonies. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Don Collins Trombonist Trombonist Don Collins has based his career out of Philadelphia since 1986. He is the recipient of the 2014 Philadelphia Clef Club Jazz Award for trombone, and can frequently be heard performing with his own groups, as well as the Urban Guerilla Orchestra (or UGO for short, now entering its 25th year), the Cintron Band(since 1994, starting with the recording Musica Caliente featuring Michael Pedicin), Orquesta del Barrio( founding member 1989), The Edgar Joel and Anthony Colon Orchestra(since the mid 1990’s), Orquesta La Paz, and The City Rhythm Orchestra(since the early 90’s). Don began his musical studies at age 7 on piano, then took up euphonium, and subsequently the trombone at the age of 9. His teachers have included Roger Smith, David Maser, James Bennett, Brian Bowman, George Starks, Steve Turre, and Glenn Dodson. Don was previously a lecturer in Jazz Trombone in The Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University. Notable recent engagements have included the Dauphin County Jazz and Wine Festival, The Capital Jazz Festival, The Soul Train Cruise and the Exit 0 Jazz Festival. Recent recordings include I Wanna Go Where UGO by the Urban Guerilla Orchestra, Edgardo Cintron’s "Bon Appetite", and "The Lost Sinatra-Basie” With Brandon Tomasello and the City Rhythm Orchestra. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN