 The Prisoner of Second Avenue Oct. 1-17, 2010 Professional Equity Play |
Septet Details
Sat., Apr. 5, 2008
Dennis Jeter – Trumpet & Vocals
Dennis began playing the trumpet at the age of 16 after attending a Wynton Marsalis concert in
Washington, DC.In the Summer of 1987, Mr. Jeter was the recipient of the first Wynton Marsalis
scholarship to study music at the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina. The following
year, he transferred to the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, NY to study trumpet with
William Vacchiano. While at the Manhattan School, his interest in the music industry broadened and
he soon became very active in the business of music. In the Fall of 1990, Dennis was sponsored by
William Vacchiano to become a Yamaha Young Performing Artist.
While at the Iridium, Mr. Jeter began exploring the world of jazz through the eyes of a vocalist. This was to mark the beginning of a new era in his performing experience. The next few years were very rewarding. He had the opportunity to perform with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra both as a vocalist as well as on the trumpet. Mr. Jeter began a weekly series at the Louisiana Community Bar and Grill in the Spring of 1996. In addition to his own quintet, Dennis featured over twenty five of today's hottest jazz stars including; Slide Hampton, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Temperely, Vincent Herring, Carl Allen, Loston Harris, Marc Cary, Rodney Kendrick, Paquito Di Rivera, Wes Anderson, Milt Grayson and many, many more. This was an opportunity not taken lightly by Mr. Jeter. He used it as a chance to refine his craft concentrating on the singing of standards in a tradition long forgotten by many of today's new vocalists.
Scott Reeves-Trombone & Flugelhorn
Scott Reeves is a trombonist, alto flugelhornist, composer, arranger, author, and college jazz educator.
Scott’s recent performing & arranging credentials include work at New York jazz clubs such as
Birdland, the Village Vanguard, the Knitting Factory, Cecils and the 55 Bar. He regularly performs
with the Dave Liebman Big Band, the Cecil’s Big Band and his own groups - the Scott Reeves
Quintet, Pedacinho do Brasil and Manhattan Bones. He has also subbed with the Vanguard Orchestra,
the Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, the NewYorkestra, the Oliver Lake Big Band, and the
BMI Jazz Composers Orchestra. Some of the other musicians with whom Scott has played include
trumpeters Herb Pomeroy, Clark Terry, Freddie Hendricks, Jim Rotondi and Bill Mobley; trombonists
Mike Fahn, Gary Valente, Sam Burtis, Alan Ferber, Tim Sessions, Mark Patterson, John Mosca and
Doug Purviance; saxophonists Dave Liebman, Benny Carter, Rich Perry, Tim Reis, Jon Gordon, Dick
Oatts, George Garzone, Gerry & Adam Niewood and Steve Wilson; pianists Kenny Werner, Mike
Holober, Jim Ridl, Roberta Picket and James Williams; bassists John Patitucci, Rufus Reid, Mike
McGuirk, John Benitez, Todd Coolman and Ron Carter; and drummers Pete LaRoca, Eliot Zigmund,
Tim Horner, Andy Watson, Billy Hart and John Riley.
Neil Braunstein-Drums
Neil’s formative years in New Jersey were spent learning drums under the tutelage of multi
instrumentalist/instructor Bob Palese. The family then moved to the Pocono Mountains in
Pennsylvania, where he performed his first gig at age 10. It was here he had the opportunity to
experience and learn about real jazz from resident masters such as Phil Woods, Al Cohn, and
Johnny Coates.
He’s also performed with a diverse array of artists such as Anson Funderburg, Charles Fambrough, Steve Earle, Jimmy Vivino, Chris Potter, Bob Dorough, Carlos 'Patato' Valdez, Urbie Green, Taj Mahal, Onnie McIntyre, George Young, Buckwheat Zydeco and many others.
Jesse Green-Piano
Jesse Green, pianist, composer, arranger, recording artist, producer, and teacher, has an extensive
background in music. Notable artists that Jesse has performed with in the Jazz Ensemble include
Clark Terry, Lew Tabackin, Freddie Hubbard, Al Grey, Urbie Green, Phil Woods, David Liebman,
Benny Carter, and Jimmy Heath. As a trombonist, Jesse was selected two years in a row for the
Inter-Collegiate Concert Band. In May of 1995, Jesse appeared with the Urbie Green Quintet on
the Royal Caribbean “Majesty of the Seas”. This was a special honor for Jesse in that the jazz
cruise was dedicated to his idol, Oscar Peterson, who performed with his trio as well. On this
cruise, Chiaroscuro did a live recording of the Urbie Green Quintet.
In June of 1995, Jesse’s live recording on the S.S. Norway included Jackie Williams on drums, Michael Moore on bass, and distinguished guest Gary Burton on vibes. The “Floating Jazz Festival” as it is called, was dedicated that year to singer Joe WilliamsJesse has appeared at Sculler’s Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA, along with John Lockwood on bass and Alan Dawson on drums, and at the prestigious Jazz at the Y series in New York’s 92nd Street Y. In August of 1996, Jesse headlined at Zinno’s in New York with his father, Urbie, as a special guest. He has performed at the Main Street Jazz Festival in Columbia, SC, and can be seen on a video of the festival which airs periodically on PBS. He has also appeared at the 1999 Indy Jazz fest.In July 2000, Jesse performed at the United States Day in the United Kingdom’s Millennium Dome as a member of a U.S. delegation presented by the White House Millennium Council.
Evan Gregor- Bass
Evan Gregor began studying electric bass at age 13 and became exposed to jazz through the artistic
community in Delaware Water Gap, PA. Early experience came through groups at Lehigh and
Moravian Universities, the COTA Cats (where he wrote his first big band music), and various
professional gigs.
While studying as an electric bass principle with Oscar Stagnaro and gradually (ie, slowly and painfully) learning the acoustic on his own time, he represented the school at many events (IAJE, The Kennedy Center, North Sea, Phoenix, JVC and Tri-C festivals, and concerts throughout Japan,) played in the Rainbow All-Star band, and performed with many visiting artists including Paquito D'Rivera and Michel Camilo. He performed for Gary Burton's final concert as a quartet with Pat Metheny, Burton, and drummer Jordan Perlson, and both have been hired by Burton to substitute for his "Generations" band. He worked regularly in Boston with many Berklee faculty including trombonist Phil Wilson's quintet.
Working as a freelance bassist, Evan has toured professionally with groups in Denmark, Japan, Holland, London, Slovakia, and across Canada. He has been hired as a sideman by Gary Burton, Dave Liebman, Bill Goodwin, Phil Wilson, Bob Dorough, Urbie Green, Jesse Green, Matthias Lupri Group, Christian Scott, and performed/recorded with Vic Juris, Ian Froman, Phil Markowitz, Donny McCaslin, George Garzone, Dave Berkman, Myron Waldon and others. He recently did two tours with Grammy nominated trumpeter Christian Scott, and toured/recorded with the group Waking Vision.
Andrew Neu-Saxophone
With a contemporary blend of traditional jazz, R & B and Latin music Andrew Neu brings you a fresh
new sound.
Nationally acclaimed Andrew Neu is in constant demand as a saxophonist, arranger, composer and recording artist. He is equally comfortable performing with Peter Nero and The Philly Pops or at Philadelphia’s premier jazz venue Zanzibar Blue.
Andrew has shared the stage with Sir Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Mellissa Manchester, Mel Torme, Malcom-Jamal Warner, The Four Tops and The Temptations, among others. He has also recorded with Sister Sledge, Manhattan Transfer and jazz legend Buddy DeFranco. Members of the Andrew Neu Group have performed and recorded with Vickie Winans, Pieces of a Dream, Grover Washington Jr., Gerald Veasley, Jill Scott, Wynton Marsalis, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, India Arie, David Byrne, Tom Scott, Arturo Sandoval, Burt Bacharach, Smokey Robinson, The Funk Brothers and Julie Andrews.
Jack Wilkins-Guitar
Guitarist Jack Wilkins has been a part of the international jazz scene for more than four decades. His
flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker,
Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Rich and many others.
A native of Brooklyn, Jack began playing guitar at age ten.His mentors included Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Bill Evans, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard and Johnny Smith. In recent years, Wilkins has played at many festivals and played with jazz greats including Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath, The Mingus Epitaph, 5 Guitars play Mingus (primary arranger) and bassist Eddie Gomez.
A consummate accompanist, Wilkins has played and recorded with renowned singers, Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Morgana King, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Nancy Marano and Jay Clayton. Wilkins was awarded an NEA grant in recognition of his work and contribution to the guitar. He has been widely and prominently profiled and featured in such publications as Guitar Player, Just Jazz Guitar, Downbeat, 20th Century Guitar and Leonard Feather's Jazz Encyclopedia. Recently Wilkins was invited to the Smithsonian Institution to be part of the Blue Guitars exhibit, and appeared on the P.S.I. first live jazz internet concert. He was also featured as part of the J.V.C. festival tributes to Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow and Herb Ellis and Barney Kessel.
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