Chris Williams

Edmund Velasco is a native Southern Californian that has been recognized as one of the top sax men in the area.  He has played professionally for the past fifteen years with such top names as Mel Torme, Eddie Daniels, Ernie Andrews and many others.  He has been named the top Tenor Sax Artist in Orange County in 1998 & 1999 by the Orange County Weekly.  He is currently leading his own quintet which has been active for the past eight years, writing and directing as well as producing three CD’s.  Edmund has performed at many important local venues, including the Jazz Bakery, Steamers Cafe, and L.A.'s Catalina Bar & Grill.

Seattle-native, Greg Parman, is a professional saxophone and flute player.  Greg has worked with One Nation (Global Funk), Mark Massey (pianist), Ron Kobayashi (pianist), Luis Villegas (latin guitarist), Little Bill and the Blue Notes and Merrilee Rush (“Angel of the Morning”).  He is featured on recordings with Rick Waldren and Chris Williams.  In addition, Greg performed on the One Nation album that was honored with the Orange County Music Award in 2004 for Best Latin - Contemporary.  He has also performed at the Brea Riviera Village Jazz Festivals.

Since the age of fifteen, Andrew Carney has been playing trumpet and flugelhorn professionally. For over twenty five years Andrew has worked with such artists as Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton, Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston, Wayne Henderson, Bobby Lyle, Chaka Khan, Brenda Russell, the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and Randi Crawford.  In addition, Andrew has recorded with such artists as Billy Mitchell, John Bolivar, Yve Evans, Tommy Walker, Justo Almario, and Larry Carlton.  
 

Blake White is an extremely accomplished, talented, self – taught guitarist. Having played for more than 20 years, he is quickly gaining notoriety amongst jazz-fans and local musicians for his extensive musical knowledge and vocabulary.

Matt Politano, jazz pianist, is a highly skilled and versatile musician. Matt was awarded a music scholarship to attend the University of North Texas, the country’s oldest and most honored jazz program, and the Manhattan School of Music for his award winning piano playing.  In 2000, he received the High School Spotlight Award for excellence in instrumental jazz for Los Angeles County.  Some of the musician’s Matt has performed with include Erykah Badu (R&B), Bob Brookmeyer (jazz trombonist), Chris Potter (saxophonist), Benny Green (jazz pianist), Joey DeFrancesco (jazz organist), and the Kim Richmond concert jazz orchestra.  Matt has performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and regularly performs at Southern California jazz venues like Steamers, the Jazz Bakery, and L.A.’s Catalina Bar and Grill.

Bassist David Miller, recently returned Orange County native, is a performing and recording artist and a music educator.  David attended music school in New York at the prestigious New School where he received his Bachelor degree in jazz music.   While in New York, he performed with jazz greats Ornette Coleman, Eric Alexander and Roy Hargrove.  David has toured extensively both nationally and internationally and has performed at such events as the Copenhagen and North Sea Jazz Festivals.  He has also recorded and toured with the legendary swing band Royal Crown Review.  Since returning to Southern California in 2001, David has worked with top Los Angeles based jazz musicians, Joe La Barbera, Larry Koonse, and Theo Saunders and has completed a Master’s degree in Jazz Music from The California Institute of the Arts.  David has recorded with the Evan Stone Quartet, who received the OC Music Award for Best Jazz Album in 2006.  He can be seen regularly performing at Steamers, Spaghettini’s, Spazio and Charlie O’s.

At only 23-years old, perciussionist Mike Bennett is one of the nation's top young drummers. This award winning drummer has been recognized by Downbeat Magazine as a rising star and Los Angeles Jazz Scene Magazine say that his “perfectly accented and dynamic drumming makes him a standout.” Already a first call live and session drummer and percussionist, Bennett's credits include work with Johnny Blas (CuBop Records), Tony Kaye (YES), Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder), Ron Powell (Madonna, Sergio Mendes), Luis Conte, Sandro Albert, Max Bennett (Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell), Joe Jewell, Reed Gratz, Michael O'Neill (George Benson), & many others. Bennett has also been featured on projects with producers such as Andy Goldmark (Jive) and Alex G (N'Sync).

Drummer Grant Childers, a native of Los Angeles and a versatile performer, has worked with a diverse group of musicians including the Shirelles, Joe Houston, and famed jazz artists Phil Wilson, Rich Matteson, Ashley Alexander, and Louie Bellson. His experience includes numerous recording sessions, tours, television broadcasts, and musical theater
 
Chris Williams has been performing professionally since he was fifteen years old. Now at 28, this Canadian sensation has impressed audiences with his intense passion, vocal proficiency and musical maturity. He has built a loyal following, as his highly entertaining performances are met with great enthusiasm by people of all ages.  Mr. Williams schedule can be viewed online at www.cwjazz.com.

The critically acclaimed Chris Williams and The Jazz Nightlife Renaissance will be featured on the main stage of the OC Pavilion (www.ocpavilion.com) performing arts center, located in the heart of the Santa Ana arts district. The show will be held February 3rd, 2007, with the performance beginning at 8:00 PM.   Doors to the OC Pavilion will open at 5:00 PM, offering dinner reservations to the 5-star restaurant Ambrosia and appetizer and cocktail service in the Vault VIP Lounge.  Select seats are still available by calling the OC Pavilion box office at 714-550-0550.