The Washington Post calls pianist Larry Brown ôan artist deserving of greater exposure.ö In 2000 Larry appeared on the national jazz cable channel BET On Jazz show ôJazz Discoveryö where he won in the instrumentalist category. He has also appeared on their show ôJazz Sceneö as a featured artist. In 2001 Larry received WAMMY nominations for Best Jazz Group, Best Jazz Instrumentalist, and Best Jazz CD. A kind of throwback jazz pianist, Mr. Brown lists his major influences as Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, and Miles Davis. After graduate school Larry toured with his trio ôSpice of Life,ö vocalist George Chapin, and other local bandleaders. In 1996 Larry joined James BazenÆs Music Unlimited Big Band. Having just recorded its second CD, that band enjoys a regular Wednesday night gig in the DC area. Larry also appears in a small group setting as a sideman with the Jerry OÆSullivan Quartet and the Rob Ercolano Quartet.
James Fowler is currently bassist with The United States Naval Academy Band, located in Annapolis, Maryland. James performs with the Naval AcademyÆs premier jazz ensembles, The SuperintendentÆs Combo, a small combo that performs expressly for the superintendent of the Naval Academy, and The Next Wave, the Naval Academy BandÆs big band. He also performs regularly with the Naval Academy BandÆs wind ensemble and ceremonial groups. Mr. Fowler performs annually at the W.C Handy Jazz Festival in Florence, Alabama and the Redbud Jazz Festival in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. Prior to joining the Navy in February 2000, James was bassist with the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. in New Orleans, Louisiana and a member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
After his college graduation, Joe McCarthy accepted a teaching position at Texas Wesleyan University while performing with the Dallas Symphony and the Dallas Jazz Orchestra. In 1994 Joe won a position with the United States Naval Academy Band. He holds the position of drummer with the USNAÆs Big Band, Jazz Septet, Wind Ensemble, and the SuperintendentÆs Combo. Joe can be heard on a forthcoming CD being released by the Baltimore Drum Company, showcasing some of the areas best drummers.
Trumpet player Kyle Funn was born and raised in Baltimore, MD where he attributes his first love of music to his father, trombonist and educator Charles Funn. Through his father, he had the means and resources to grow listening to such artists as Clark Terry, Freddie Hubbard, Duke Ellington, and John Coltrane; as well as having the opportunity to hear live jazz very early in life. He began playing professionally at the age of fourteen with the Ed Williams Big Band, Whit Williams Big Band, and BaltimoreÆs Big Band. Upon graduating from high school, he matriculated to Howard University to study under Fred Irby, III. The Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE) had given him the opportunity to tour in Japan and the US Virgin Islands, as well as playing a tribute to Betty Carter in the Kennedy Center Honors Special. In 1998, Kyle graduated magna cum laude from Howard University with a degree in music with an emphasis in business. Since then Kyle has played with such artists as Michael Feinstein, Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson, and Terrence Blanchard. Kyle also spends time giving music instruction in area schools.
1/30/04: The Larry Brown Quintet
11/26/02: The Larry Brown Quartet
9/20/01: Sep 20 2001 6:00PM
