2024-25 SEASON

Celebrating its tenth-anniversary season, Seraph Brass was founded by trumpet soloist Mary Elizabeth Bowden with a mission to showcase the excellence of female brass players and highlight musicians from marginalized groups, both in personnel and in programming. Winners of the American Prize in Chamber Music, the group has been praised for their “beautiful sounds" (American Record Guide), "fine playing” (Gramophone), and “staggeringly high caliber of performance” (Textura). Seraph primarily performs as a quintet, with a dynamic roster drawing from America’s top brass musicians. Seraph Brass is a Yamaha Performing Group and performs exclusively on Yamaha instruments.

Xavier Davis' professional career as a Jazz pianist took off when the legendary vocalist Betty Carter spotted his outstanding talent at the 1994 International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Boston while he was performing with his college ensemble. It was her who brought Xavier to New York, hiring him exclusively as the pianist of her working trio.  Today, Xavier is one of the most accomplished Jazz pianists world wide.

Dedicated to the traditional sounds of Southwest Louisiana, Creole du Nord delivers a lively Cajun & Zydeco groove featuring fiddle and accordion and a rockin' rhythm section “pour les bonne temps”. Bandleader Mark Palms traced his family roots to Breaux Bridge and now brings the uplifting spirit of Louisiana to the northern great lakes with Michigan's finest; Billy King (gtr), Walter Prettyman (fid), Carol Palms (bass) & Pete Siers (drums) or Will Osler.  After learning from some of Louisiana's best... such as Joe Hall, Steve Riley, Blake Miller, Jesse Lege, Ray Abshire, Walter Mouton and more, Mark and the band Creole du Nord have been playing festivals, dances, and clubs across Michigan and the midwest. 

Giving performances that are “lithe, persuasive” (The New York Times), “eloquent and enthralling” (The Boston Globe), and described as “the most compelling American group to come on the scene” (The New Yorker), the Horszowski Trio has quickly become a vital force in the international chamber music world since their formation in 2011. In 2023, the “Horszowski Trio Prize” was created by the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, to award piano trio winners. The Trio takes its inspiration from the musicianship, integrity, and humanity of the pre-eminent pianist Mieczysław Horszowski (1892–1993); the ensemble’s pianist, Rieko Aizawa, was Horszowski’s last pupil at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Described as “power players” by the Los Angeles Times, the Horszowski Trio’s repertoire includes works by many of the composers with whom Mr. Horszowski had personal interaction.

Annie and Rod Capps have established themselves as well-respected songwriters, musicians and performers, with three albums topping the Folk Radio charts and as 2-time Kerrville New Folk Finalists. 

The Capps’ sound meets at the intersection of Americana & Folk citing rock, jazz and bluegrass influences. The duo is on a musical journey that began in 1982, culminating into a symbiotic sound that reflects their deep and intuitive understanding of each other. Annie’s disarming, earthy voice and solid command of her guitar are punctuated by Rod’s effortless, accompaniment and beautiful solo work on both guitar and viola. Together they weave unforgettable melodies that are at once intricate and sparse – musically completing each others’ sentences.

9 studio albums later they continue to explore their love of blending diverse styles to create a fresh and unique amalgamation all while sticking to their narrative “songs about broken things and poignant little ponderings delivered with a rootsy vibe, a touch of twang and soulful groove”.

Largely self-taught, or rather, "old-schooled," Asherie learned the ropes at Smalls, spending much of his early teens becoming a fixture of the late-night jam sessions held at this now legendary Greenwich Village club in New York City. Mentored by the late Frank Hewitt, Asherie began to develop "his virtuosity and his ear for clean, crisp lines" (The Star-Ledger). Later, an admiration for earlier piano styles took hold; soon enough Asherie had absorbed them into his playing becoming, in the words of The New Yorker, "A master of swing and stride." His present style combines this broad tradition, merging idioms into a distinctly personalized approach...Beyond his dedication to jazz music, Ehud Asherie has also developed a passion for traditional Brazilian music. He has performed and recorded with acclaimed brazilian artists like Wilson das Neves, Duduka da Fonseca and Maucha Adnet. His appreciation and profound knowledge of the music can be heard in his new project “Discovering Ernesto Nazareth”.

Based out of Manhattan NY, Midtown is a dynamic, international award winning vocal quartet that provides an entertainment experience capable of catering to multiple venues, audiences, and ages.  Well versed in a variety of styles; their high-energy show takes the audience on a ride that will leave them wanting more!