Bill Saxton

Bill Saxton, hard bop tenor saxophonist, works hard to keep the soul of jazz alive.  Born and raised in Harlem, Saxton attended school in New York before continuing his post-secondary education at New England Conservatory in Boston.  There, he studied clarinet, composition, and arrangement.

Saxton's career in jazz has been alive since the 1960s.  Since then, he's collaborated with many jazz legends such as Ray Haynes, Jackie McLean, Nancy Wilson, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Tito Puente and Mango Santa Maria to name a few.  He also is an accomplished bandleader and over the span of ten years was joined by musicians such as Bobby Watson and Hilton Ruiz.

Saxton has toured all over the world playing his music; he's been across Europe, to Japan, and across the islands in the Caribbean.  Saxton has composed more than 80 pieces of music. He has also traveled with the U.S. State Department to West Africa.

In 2006, Saxton opened the speakeasy Bill's Place, which is prided to be "New York's only jazz speakeasy."  Located on West 133rd Street, this historic prohibition-era hotspot was an after-hours hang out for many celebrities such as Langston Hughes, Duke Ellington, Moms Mabley and Fats Waller.  This spot was also a place where William "the Lion" Smith would play piano and would also be graced by the appearance of a young, lesser-known Billie Holiday.  Today, this speakeasy is helping continue the spirit of old, classic jazz.

Drummer Greg Bandy was discovered by Charles Mingus at the age of 20. He has played with a plethora of prominent jazz artists over the last thirty-plus years including, Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, Pharoah Sanders, Olu Dara, Curtis Fuller, Jack McDuff, Leon Thomas, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Gary Bartz, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Yusef Lateef and many others.

These associations have secured his status as a living legend. Of Greg, the New Yorker, wrote, "...one of those rare old-school drummers who remind you what the art of jazz percussion is all about, adds class as well as rhythmic friction to Bartz's band." His playing is described as "progressive, not nostalgic, employing music from all over the globe." Bandy is a staple of jazz festivals the world over.

Mr. Bandy’s 1997 debut CD “Lightning in a Bottle” garnered two Grammy nominations. He produces “Bandy Does Blakey,” a tribute to one of his mentors, the late Art Blakey, and often reunites former members of Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.

After returning to his hometown of Cleveland, he headed his own trio and was the co-leader of the Eddie Henderson/Greg Bandy Quartet. With his ensemble Bandy Does Blakey, he made a tribute to one of his mentors, Art Blakey, and played with former musicians of the Jazz Messengers.

Bandy worked in New York and in the following years with Art Davis (Reemergence, 1980), Lee Morgan, Malachi Thompson (Legends And Heroes, 1983), Jimmy Ponder, Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, Pharoah Sanders (Oh Lord, Let Me No Wrong 1987), Johnny Lytle, Freddie Hubbard, Olu Dara (Neighborhoods, 2001), Curtis Fuller, Jack McDuff, Leon Thomas, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Gary Bartz and Yusef Lateef.  In 1997, Bandy’s debut album Lightning in a Bottle (Big Ox Records), received two Grammy nominations.

An inspiring music educator as well as a Grammy nominated drummer, Greg Bandy is a musical treasure.

Jon Eshelman

Their name “Copacetic” simply means “all is well” or “everything is cool”. That is the goal each time they perform – for those listening to walk away with a great listening experience and feeling that everything is cool, all is well.

The group Copacetic began as a result of friends coming together to help on a “gig”.  People listening truly enjoyed what they heard and wanted to know where the group would play next and Copacetic has been accepting engagements since.

With roots in Gospel, Jazz, and Soul, the band works to blend their experiences and musical interest to create a soul-stirring smooth jazz sound that appeals to many. The band members have been friends for years and it shows when they play together. They love to have fun when they perform and their audiences have a great time too.

Their name “Copacetic” simply means “all is well” or “everything is cool”. That is the goal each time they perform – for those listening to walk away with a great listening experience and feeling that everything is cool, all is well.