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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

E Shawn Qaissaunee Musician • Composer • Producer Berklee College of Music Alumnus (Jazz Composition/Music Education) E. Shawn Qaissaunee has been in demand as a multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger and music instructor for over thirty years. Sought out for his talents on guitar, bass, piano, percussion and the rubab and dutar, two instruments from his native Afghanistan, Shawn is known for his musical virtuosity, sensitivity, lyricism and spirited creative energy in the jazz tradition. His constant devotion to musical traditions, while at the same time striving to bring new energy and relevance to his live performances has made him a beloved and admired artist in the greater community and beyond. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Gradwell House Recording Recording Studio • Rehearsal Space 511 Station Avenue, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 The Gradwell House (est. 1998) is a custom-built, 6000 sq. ft. multi-level, multi-use music facility housed in a converted Masonic Lodge in downtown Haddon Heights NJ (511 Station Ave) and no, we're not masons, we don't even have library cards. Our upper level recording studio has 2 control rooms, 8 performance spaces and 4 additional isolation booths all wired together with Extra-Low Loss 110Ω AES/EBU wide bandwidth digital audio multi-pair cable. Our lower level houses 9 "soundproof" rehearsal/production rooms both available monthly and hourly. The Gradwell House has become a hub for the region’s music community, come be part of it! Take a look around and please reach out and come for a tour. We are proud to show it off! STUDIO WEBSITE BACK TO VENUES BACK TO STUDIOS Not a studio member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Andrew DeNicola Musician • Composer Andrew DeNicola is a passionate composer and multi-instrumentalist whose musical journey began with the saxophone. His early dedication to the instrument led him to Berklee College of Music, where he studied under jazz luminaries including Billy Pierce, George Garzone, and Greg Hopkins. Immersed in Berklee’s vibrant jazz scene, Andrew developed a strong foundation in performance, improvisation, and composition. Following his time at Berklee, Andrew moved to New York City—the heart of the jazz world—to further hone his craft. There, he immersed himself in the local music scene, performing in a wide variety of settings, from intimate private events to energetic big band showcases. As both a sideman and a bandleader, Andrew built a reputation for his versatility and musicality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew took the opportunity to deepen his studies, enrolling at Queens College. Under the mentorship of world-renowned artists such as Antonio Hart, Michael Mossman, Tim Armacost, and Dennis Mackrel, he refined his artistic voice and solidified his understanding of jazz at a deeper level. Post-graduation, Andrew continued performing across New York City, though like many artists, he faced challenges making a consistent living. A personal connection opened an exciting new chapter in his career: performing on the world’s premier cruise ship, Icon of the Seas. As part of a six-piece jazz ensemble, Andrew now shares his music with audiences from around the globe, night after night. Whether composing or performing, Andrew DeNicola is dedicated to creating meaningful, unforgettable musical experiences—connecting with listeners through every note. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN

Tim Brey Pianist • Composer Tim Brey is a Philadelphia-based jazz pianist and composer. In his diverse career as a bandleader, sideman, and solo pianist, Brey has performed with Terell Stafford, Samara Joy, Renée Fleming, Houston Person, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Veronica Swift, Peter Bernstein, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Warren Wolf, Steve Wilson, Tim Warfield, Rodney Whitaker, and many more. His third studio album as a leader, “News,” released in October 2022, followed Brey’s expanding compositional vision for his sextet. "Philadelphia has been home to a long succession of celebrated jazz pianists, creating a legacy that can be daunting for any young player following in their footsteps. But in the case of Tim Brey, that expansive lineage functions strictly as creative motivation" — J. Michael Harrison, WRTI Brey teaches jazz piano, theory, and improvisation at the Boyer College of Music at Temple University. Outside of the university context, he continues to maintain a small private studio of dedicated musicians and pianists. ARTIST WEBSITE BACK TO ARTISTS Not an artist member ? CLICK TO JOIN