Welsh-born singer and actress Judith Owen blends jazz, blues, pop, and classical styles, performing at venues like the Royal Albert Hall. She has released thirteen albums, including Come On & Get It and Comes Alive, and co-hosts the annual Christmas Without Tears charity show.
Harry Shearer is a humorist, actor, and musician known for his satirical music, his role as Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, and voicing numerous characters on The Simpsons. He also hosted the public radio series Le Show and released comedy albums including Songs Pointed and Pointless.
Donald Harrison is a celebrated New Orleans-born jazz saxophonist known for a hard-swinging style blending acoustic post-bop, R&B, and traditional New Orleans music. A former member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, he has released notable albums like Indian Blues and Nouveau Swing.
Bill Summers is a New Orleans percussionist who plays African and Cuban rhythms. A former R&B star ("Call It What You Want", 1981), he worked with Quincy Jones on Roots and The Color Purple and co-founded Los Hombres Calientes in 1998.
New Orleans trumpeter and singer Kermit Ruffins co-founded the Rebirth Brass Band before forming Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers in 1992. Known for his exuberant live shows and sidewalk barbecues, he has released albums like World on a String, Swing This!, and Beautiful World.
New Orleans-born jazz drummer Herlin Riley rose to prominence in the 1980s, playing with Ahmad Jamal and Wynton Marsalis, and performing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Known for post-bop and second-line traditions, Riley has released solo albums including Cream of the Crescent and New Direction.
New Orleans-born Jason Marsalis, youngest of the renowned Marsalis jazz family, leads his Vibes Quartet. Known for his unique vibraphone sound, he blends diverse influences and polyrhythms in his compositions. Notable albums include "In a World of Mallets" (Offbeat's Best Contemporary Jazz Album) and "The 21st Century Trad Band". He was a Downbeat Magazine "rising star" and the Marsalis family received an NEA Jazz Masters award.
New Orleans-born trumpeter, keyboardist, and singer Nicholas Payton is a versatile jazz maverick known for blending acoustic post-bop with hip-hop, funk, and R&B. A Grammy winner for his work with Doc Cheatham, Payton has released acclaimed albums like Dear Louis and Afro-Caribbean Mixtape.