HEADLINER - CONNECTICUT NATIVE VINCENT INGALA
VINCENT INGALA/SAXOPHONE
WEBSITE
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Vincent Ingala (#1 Billboard Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year 2023 Saxophonist/Producer) is back to his roots performing in Waterbury! One of the fastest emerging contemporary jazz recording artists in recent history, multiinstrumentalist, composer and producer, Vincent Ingala has blasted into an exciting stratosphere of his own making since his 2010 critically acclaimed debut album, ‘North End Soul.’ Still in his twenties, the charismatic saxophonist has been named Billboard Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year in 2012, Sirius XM Watercolors Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2013, and his music is consistently found atop the most noteworthy music charts in the world, including eight number one hits on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart, and twenty songs on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Top 10. As much of an entertainer as he is a musician, the Yamaha Performing Artist has been wowing live audiences as a regular on the popular smooth jazz festival and cruise circuit for several years. His fun-loving stage presence, combined with an obvious passion for playing, elevates the crowd to an exciting frenzy!
An “old soul,” as he’s often referred to, Vincent possesses a deep knowledge and appreciation for all genres of music. His versatility on multiple instruments makes him sought after both live, and as a producer in the studio. His latest effort and seventh studio album, 2021’s ‘Fire & Desire,’ finds Vincent playing every instrument throughout the entire album, along with nine original compositions, and the reimagining of Houston Person’s dance floor hit, ‘Disco Sax.’ ‘Fire & Desire’ is the breath of fresh air that long time smooth jazz fans have been craving. Indeed, it is arguably Vincent’s most complete album to date and affirms the meteoric progress he has made since 2010. This coast-to-coast sensation continues to bring a playful spirit, old soul, and youthful enthusiasm to contemporary jazz, with a real sense for what music fans are seeking, from recordings to live performances.
BARRY EASTMOND & FRIENDS/PRODUCER/KEYBOARDS
One of the most prolific R&B/Pop songwriter/producers, Barry Eastmond has over sixty gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums on some of the most important contemporary artists. Notching up cumulative sales of over 80 million copies. Barry’s creative magic has been responsible for hit records by: Anita Baker, Brandy, Britney Spears, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Tamia, Faith Evans, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Kenny Lattimore, Michael Bolton, Billy Ocean, Freddie Jackson, Al Jarreau, Will Downing, Vanessa Williams, Regina Belle, Barry White, and George Benson, to name just a few. He produced the certified gold Anita Baker album “My Everything“ for Blue Note Records which included a collaboration with Babyface. He composed and co-produced the title song for Whitney Houston’s Christmas album “One Wish“ as well as Anita Baker’s Christmas Album “Christmas Fantasy”.
Some of his hits include “You Are My Lady”, “Have You Ever Loved Somebody”, Nice ‘n’ Slow”, “When The Going Gets Tough”, “There’ll Be Sad Songs”, “Love Zone”, “The Color Of Love” and “I Apologize”.
RAGAN WHITESIDE/FLUTE/VOCALS
Flute-playing soul-jazz phenomenon Ragan Whiteside has become one of the genre’s most consistently dynamic and popular artists. Thanks to her incredible skill and creativity on her chosen instrument, as well as her charismatic presence on stage, Whiteside is at the top of her game. That was demonstrated in October 2022, when she became the first artist to win the competitive Best Contemporary Jazz Artist Award at the inaugural Jazz Music Awards, held at the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta. Whiteside is also a 2023 NAACP Image Award Nominee and four-time nominee for the Smooth Jazz Network’s Best Artist Award.
That distinction is well-deserved, as the Atlanta-based musician, songwriter, and vocalist has become one of very few women players to excel in the male-dominated instrumental sphere, garnering nine consecutive Top Ten Billboard airplay singles by 2023. And she’s done it as an independent artist, releasing projects on Randis Music, the label she founded with her husband, producer, and composer Dennis Johnson.
Ragan’s 7th album, RAGAN will be released in August 2024. The first single, “Steppin’ Out,” is heating up the radio charts and is available on all digital download and streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Pandora, Deezer, and more. Joining Ragan on this high-energy track is Rich Harrison a.k.a. the artist RAH (Evelyn Champagne King, Atlantic Starr) on drums and Phil Hamilton (Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Al Jarreau) on guitar.
Listen to the first single from the album, “Steppin’ Out” HERE.
Her previous full-length project, 2022’s Thrill Ride, demonstrates Whiteside’s breathtaking virtuosity and melodic skills on a thrilling journey through a landscape of dynamic grooves. The project features eight songs, which are largely produced by her longtime collaborators Dennis Johnson and Bob Baldwin. Other producers include Chris “Big Dog” Davis on the sexy update of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry Bout A Thing,” and James Lloyd of the veteran group Pieces Of A Dream, who contributes “A Toast At Sunset” as writer and keyboardist as well. The title track, “Thrill Ride,” peaked at No. 1 on five radio charts, including the Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart, Mediabase, the Smooth Jazz Network, Radiowave and Groove Jazz Music.
Whiteside is also maintaining a career as a voice over artist and her role as a mother of two. In late 2020, Whiteside added another title to her list of accomplishments: Radio personality. Spotted at a show by David Linton, a former label executive and current program director of Atlanta’s station, Jazz 91.9 WCLK, Whiteside was offered the opportunity to audition as a host. She now holds down the popular No. 1 Saturday morning show “Saturday with Ragan Whiteside, ” another role she has grown to enjoy .
JJ SANSAVERINO/GUITAR
With multiple Billboard-charting singles, including a Billboard #1 smash hit with “Style and Elegance” and five highly acclaimed albums, New York guitarist JJ Sansaverino has reached millions touring the world with his “Benson meets Santana” musical style. An extraordinary performer, JJ has a “take no prisoners” performance attitude, gracing the stage night after night touring on his own or with reggae legend Maxi Priest and bringing his vibe of Smooth Jazz, R&B, and Reggae.
A Berklee School of Music graduate and award winner, he has shared the stage with the likes of Maceo Parker, Victor Bailey, Gerald Albright, Randy Brecker, Shaggy, Ricky Lawson, Sean Paul, Rick Braun, the Marley Family, and even performed for Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding in 2002.
AL TAYLOR/HOST
WEBSITE
Al is the founder, organizer and Event Chair of the Brass City Jazz Fest(the first ever), which he started in 2018.
Al is the president of ACT Jams Productions — with the mission of “Keeping Great Music Alive!”
Al also is producer of the syndicated weekly radio program “The Groove Show” that airs on Smooth Jazz/CD1019.com New York, 102.5 FM WJTI Smooth Jazz/Milwaukee, Smooth Jazz/Florida.com, 100.7 FM The Wave Daytona WDJZ.com, and more.
He is an artist consultant, host, and producer of contemporary jazz concerts and assistance programmer for CD101.9 New York.
Al is also an integral part of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz since 2015, hosting shows in the DoubleTree Cheers Lounge.He also has co-produced the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Al Taylor’s Artist Spotlight in the Cheers Lounge – and has hosted Chris “Big Dog” Davis-produced concerts since 2019.
Alan is also the founder, along with his wife, of the Western Connecticut Autism Speaks Walk. Recently, he spoke on the Pay it Forward Panel at the 3rd free Autism Education and Awareness Forum in Waterbury.