Jeff Antoniuk - Saxophone, Artistic Director

As a saxophone player and composer, Jeff can be heard on numerous recordings. He has played with the likes of Ray Charles, Freddie Hubbard, Najee and Natalie Cole. His own 2007 CD Here Today with the Jazz Update received extensive airplay in North America. His work with the funk and R & B band Sound Connection has taken him from The White House to Las Vegas and everywhere in between, with numerous television appearances. Jeff teaches at Towson University and with Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS). The artistic director of inDepth Jazz and Jazz Band Masterclass, and co-founder of Maryland Summer Jazz, he has been called “Maryland’s Pied Piper of Jazz.” Visit Jeff’s website.

Bernard Hairston - Electric Bass

Bernie started playing music professionally at the age of 16, and then studied music at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. He toured extensively in the US and Caribbean with vocalist Jane Powell and has shared the stage with many great names such as Rufus Thomas, Percy Sledge, Wayman Tisdale, Brian Simpson, Najee, Marcus Miller and blues artist Deanna Bogart. He is the musical director for the hugely popular funk and R & B band, Sound Connection,

Todd Harrison – Drums

Todd grew up in Houston, Texas and began his professional career at age 14 playing drums in various funk, R&B, rock and jazz big bands at local clubs. Post high school he studied jazz composition and percussion performance. His career spans more than 28 years, many with aggressive funk bands such as Cold Sweat and TKOH! In Houston. He has also played with El DeBarge, Kirk Whalum, Phil Woods, Slide Hampton, Rick Perry, Dick Oatts, Andy Bey, Carl Filipiak and Patrick DeSantos. Despite this diversity, he remains rooted in the traditions of funk and R&B. He tours widely as the drummer/percussionist for the world renowned Jazz Ambassadors of The US Army Field Band.

Dan Reynolds - Keyboards 

Christina Crerar - Vocals

Steeped in the rhythms, melodies and lyrics of the 1920s – 1950s, vocalist Christina Crerar also embraces modern tunes. She injects her own spirit into familiar and rarely heard gems on her new jazz vocal CD, Little Jazz Bird, which is receiving acclaim and airplay around the globe. A private voice teacher and vocal coach, Christina holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Catholic University and is certified in Somatic Voicework from Shenandoah University.

Alison Crockett - Vocals

Nu-Jazz singer and pianist Alison Crockett honed her craft at Temple University before earning a masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Best known for her work with DJ/producer King Kritt and as a former vocalist with the acid jazz group Us3, she has made music with Greg Osby, Terreon Gully and Orrin Evans as well. As an educator, she worked with the Highbridge Voices choral program in the Bronx and has been an instructor at Temple, George Washington Univ. and Fillmore Arts Center. Look for her fourth record, Bare, on the Sol Image label.

Jon Ozment – Piano

Jon has been working in and around the DC area for over two decades as an educator, performer and producer. He has performed and recorded extensively in jazz and contemporary fields with names such as Buck Hill, Al Jarreau, and Chuck Brown, in addition to national tours with the Blackbyrds and Maceo Parker. Jon is currently on the jazz faculty at both American University and the U of MD. Visit Jon’s website.

Michael Pavone - Guitar

A Berklee graduate from the mid-80’s, Michael Pavone has built a well-respected career throughout the east coast. Greatly influenced by his father, famed composer/bassist Mario Pavone, Michael stuns audiences with his soulful, blistering playing. A faculty member of the Litchfield Jazz Camp, Michael has also performed along side legends including Dewey Redman and Bobby McFerrin.

Amy Shook - Acoustic Bass

Perhaps the working-est bass player in town, Amy is known for her down to earth humor and her talent as both an educator and performer. Her two groups, the Shook/Russo Quartet and the FAB Trio both record for Summit Records, and she is a constant in the region’s jazz scene. Amy has shared her talents over the years with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Paquito D’Rivera and Al Grey. Visit Amy’s website.

Frank Russo - Drums

A performer who has literally played around the globe, Frank Russo is one of the local “go to” drummers in many styles. He is retired from the Naval Academy Band, and is currently Professor of Drum Set Studies at Towson University in Baltimore, MD. Frank has an active career playing and recording with local acts like the Rob Levit, the Fred Hughes Trio, and his own band, the FAB trio.
Visit Frank’s website.

Geoff Reecer - Guitar

Geoff is a mainstay guitarist on the DC/VA/MD scene. He recently added to his lengthy resume by joining the world famous USAF Airmen of Note Big Band. Geoff records, plays, teaches and tours extensively, so we are very happy to have him share his expertise

Wade Beach - Piano

Pianist Wade Beach is widely respected for his harmonic sophistication and superb technique. A top-call player in the DC area, he is a 20 year Air Force veteran and former member of the Airmen of Note. With a master’s degree in classical piano performance and extensive jazz training, Wade teaches at George Mason University, and performs regularly with the Jazz Update.

Felicia Carter - Vocals

While continuing to earn accolades for her beautiful voice and dramatic delivery, Felicia Carter is also a noted composer and lyricist. In 2007, Carter performed in Chile for the Jazz y Vino Festival with the Tony Martucci Quartet, as well at the Martin Luther King International Chapel with the Sistas Can Sang! ensemble. That same year, she collaborated with bassist/ composer Amy Shook, writing and performing music for Next Stop Silver Spring, a PBS documentary on the B&O Railroad (WETA-DC). Carter’s 2008 CD release, Feather/Step Lightly, is a double-disc recording of original music and jazz standards.

We reserve the right to change or substitute faculty members with no additional notice to clinic participants.