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Alex Bugnon

Headliner Alex Bugnon is a Swiss jazz pianist and composer known for his smooth jazz and R&B-infused style. Born in Montreux, Switzerland, in 1958, he studied at the Paris Conservatory and the Mozart Academy before moving to the U.S. to attend Berklee College of Music. His debut album, Love Season (1988), was a breakthrough success, reaching the Billboard 200 and the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Over the years, Bugnon has released multiple albums, including Head Over Heels (1990), 107 Degrees in the Shade (1991), and Harlem (2013).

Bugnon has toured extensively and collaborated with R&B legends like Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson, and Patti Austin. His music blends jazz, funk, gospel, and soul, making him a favorite among contemporary jazz enthusiasts. Recently, he signed with Mighty Music Corporation, joining a roster of renowned jazz artists.

Ragan Whiteside

Featured Artist Ragan Whiteside is a talented flutist, vocalist, and songwriter who has made a name for herself in contemporary jazz and R&B. She blends jazz, funk, and soul with her unique flute-playing style, bringing fresh energy to the genre. Whiteside has won multiple awards, including the Best Contemporary Jazz Artist Award at the inaugural Jazz Music Awards in 2022. She has also been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and the Smooth Jazz Network’s Best Artist Award.

Her music career includes several successful albums, such as Thrill Ride (2022), which featured multiple Billboard-charting songs. She is set to release her seventh album, RAGAN, in 2025, with the first single, Steppin’ Out, already gaining traction. Whiteside is also a radio personality, hosting Saturday with Ragan Whiteside and The Get Down with Ragan Whiteside.

Charisa the Violin Diva

Charisa the Violin Diva is a contemporary jazz violinist and vocalist known for her fusion of soul, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. She brings a unique energy to her performances, blending classical violin techniques with modern grooves. Charisa has collaborated with renowned artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Quincy Jones, Diana Krall, and Musiq Soulchild. She has also opened for legends like Melissa Morgan and Freddie Jackson.

Born and raised in Maryland, Charisa started playing the violin at the age of four and developed a style influenced by gospel, jazz, and Washington D.C.’s go-go music. She has won multiple competitions, including the McDonald’s Gospelfest Competition and the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival Competition. Beyond performing, she is also a teaching artist, mentoring young urban string players and developing an Urban Strings Curriculum to bridge classical violin with hip-hop and jazz.

Nat Adderley Jr

Nat Adderley Jr. is an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, best known for his work as Luther Vandross’ longtime musical director. Born in Quincy, Florida, in 1955, he comes from a legendary jazz family—his father, Nat Adderley Sr., was a renowned cornetist, and his uncle, Cannonball Adderley, was a celebrated saxophonist.

Adderley Jr. started playing piano at a young age and had his first composition, I’m on My Way, recorded by his uncle Cannonball when he was just 11 years old. He studied at Yale University, earning a degree in African American studies. His career took off when he arranged and co-wrote several hits for Luther Vandross, including Stop to Love, Wait for Love, and Make Me a Believer. He also arranged classics like Superstar, Here and Now, and Never Too Much.

After Vandross’ passing, Adderley Jr. returned to his jazz roots, performing tributes to his father and uncle while collaborating with artists like Regina Carter and Vincent Herring. He has performed worldwide, including at Blue Note Beijing, Singapore’s Kool Kats Club, and New York’s Minton’s.

Dave Stryker

Dave Stryker is an American jazz guitarist known for his soulful, blues-infused style. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1957, he was inspired by rock music before transitioning to jazz after hearing John Coltrane and George Benson. He moved to Los Angeles in 1978 and later to New York City, where he played with legendary musicians like Jack McDuff and Stanley Turrentine.

Stryker has recorded over 35 albums as a bandleader and has collaborated with artists such as Kevin Mahogany, Eliane Elias, and Javon Jackson. His latest album, Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies, features jazz arrangements of movie themes and reached #2 on the JazzWeek Radio Chart. He has also been recognized in DownBeat magazine’s Critics and Readers Polls for his contributions to jazz.

Beyond performing, Stryker is an educator, teaching jazz guitar at William Paterson University, Rutgers University, and Montclair State University. He also offers online lessons through ArtistWorks.

Brooklyners

The Brooklyners is a New York City-based reggae band that blends Jamaican standards, French classics, and original conscious tunes into a unique tropical sound. The band was founded by David Langlois, a musician known for his work in reggae and world music. The Brooklyners’ name reflects the diverse, multicultural backgrounds of its members and their home base in Brooklyn.

The band has performed hundreds of shows across NYC and the East Coast, including residencies at venues like Maison Harlem and AOC East. Their lineup features David Langlois on vocals, percussion, and rhythm guitar, alongside Ras Abda G (vocals & bass), Kikkah Jackson (vocals & drums), Diego Cebollero (guitar), and Bryan Benhingove (keyboards & saxophone). They have collaborated with reggae legends such as Sly Dunbar, Andy Bassford, Earl “Chinna” Smith, and Queen Omeg

James Gibbs

James Gibbs III is a talented trumpet player, composer, and producer from Newark, New Jersey, raised in Irvington. He has been performing professionally since 1994 and has recorded on over 30 albums. Gibbs studied jazz at the New Brunswick Jazz Institute and later trained under Donald Byrd at Delaware State University.

Gibbs has toured with Grammy-nominated singer Joe Thomas and has shared the stage with jazz legends like Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, and Terrence Blanchard. He is also the founder of his own band, Brick City Soul Collective, and has played multiple instruments, including alto saxophone, organ, and keys. His versatility allows him to perform across genres, including jazz, R&B, gospel, Latin, reggae, and classical.

Beyond performing, Gibbs is a music director, arranger, and educator, mentoring young musicians and producing projects under his brand Brick City New Jersey Entertainment LLC. He continues to record and tour worldwide, bringing his signature sound to audiences everywhere.

MPack

MPack Band is a dynamic R&B, jazz, and funk ensemble led by Clarence “Groove Master” Conover. The band is not just a musical group but also a brand and production enterprise, constantly evolving with new sounds and collaborations. MPack Band delivers high-energy performances, blending classic and contemporary influences to create a unique groove.

Clarence Conover, the band’s founder, is a multi-instrumentalist who has played with legends like Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Grover Washington Jr., and Bo Diddley. The band features talented musicians, including vocalists Patricia Walton and Lynette Sheard, pianist Larry Greenberg, drummer Kevin “Natz” Moore, and guitarists Kenny Robinson and Brett Calder. MPack Band frequently performs at venues across New Jersey, including Morris Museum, South Orange Performing Arts Center, and Jazz On Sloan.