meet the on-stage cast
BENNY BENACK
Trumpeter/Vocalist
"Male Jazz Vocalist of the Year" Finalist
— 2020 Downbeat Readers Poll
"He may be young... but he seriously has his act together in every way, shape and form..."
— All About Jazz
OLIVIA CHINDAMO
Vocalist
"...a new singer on the NYC jazz scene and she’s really going places"
— Randy Brecker
2021 graduate of the inaugural Jazz Voice Graduate Program at The Julliard School
ALEX FRANK
Bassist
The youngest member of Jeff Goldblum's Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
“I have two words for you—Ray Brown.”
— Quincy Jones
KONRAD PASZKUDZKI
Pianist
"... a pearly touch, a sense of history, a sense of drama, a love of the blues, and an elegance which is borne of high-minded dedication"
— Wynton Marsalis
"... an ace pianist"
— Rex Reed, Observer
BYRON STRIPLING
Trumpeter/Vocalist
Byron "... earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra"
"... a powerhouse trumpeter gifted with a soulful voice and a charismatic onstage swagger"
— The Philly Pops
CARMEN BRADFORD
Vocalist
"A nuanced and nearly flawless vocalist"
— CapitalBop
2019 Grammy nominee and featured vocalist in the Count Basie Orchestra for over nine years
FRANCO FINN
Auctioneer for the evening
Golden State Warriors "Hype Man"
Franco "has worked with some of the most recognized nonprofit organizations, including American Red Cross, March of Dimes, The Ronald McDonald House, the Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and corporations, including Walt Disney Company, Coca-Cola, and Verizon."
HILARY GARDNER
Vocalist
"...an uninhibited answer to the young Doris Day."
"A voice worth seeking out."
RYAN SHAW
Drummer
Performs and/or records with Michael Bublé, Seth MacFarlane, Bill Holman, Gilbert Castellanos, Richard Shelton, Graham Dechter, Melissa Morgan and many more
JERRY WELDON
Tenor Saxophonist
Harry Connick Jr. band member since 1990 and Lionel Hampton Orchestra member in 1980s
Internationally renowned musician on the jazz scene for 40 years and "one of the most sought-after tenor sax [players] in modern jazz times"