Jackie's Groove

Song writer & record producer who was recently nominated for a Grammy (2017 Grammy’s) for working on Drake’s multiplatinum LP “Views”, Brian Alexander Morgan has produced songs for several artists ranging from Lalah Hathaway, Martha Wash to Usher, among others. In the 90’s Morgan wrote and produced multiple Hot100 hit songs for the multi-platinum R&B trio SWV. Outside of R&B, Morgan also worked in house music. Around the early 2010s, he was summoned by DJ Khalil to work on a few projects with him. Khalil’s desire to work with him caused Morgan to relocate from Sacramento back to Los Angeles. Due to the move, Khalil and Morgan worked on Aloe Blacc‘s major label debut Lift Your Spirit. Morgan recently co- wrote the song “9” on Drakes multi-platinum LP
“Views”. Morgan continues to work one multiple music, TV and film projects with Mosley Music and Mono Music Group.

Thu grew up in a multi-cultural musical melting pot of Vietnamese folk music, R&B, and Broadway. In college, Thu received classical voice training under the private tutelage of Mr. Merrill Shea, on faculty at the Boston Conservatory of Music.  She continued her musical endeavors in various A Capella groups, recorded for famed Vietnamese composer Bao Quoc Hoang, and performed professionally around San Diego in an Indie Soul Band called Curbside Vinyl.
    Thu's journey through the vast world of music landed her at the doorstep of Jazz, accompanied by her innate attraction towards sass, big sultry vocals, and musical nuance.  She has studied Jazz theory and performance with highly regarded performers and instructors, including Jono Kornfeld, Rebeca Mauleon, David Hardiman Jr., Dena DeRose, and Madeline Eastman.
    Thu has performed in private events and at various San Francisco and Bay Area venues, including the historic Sir Francis Drake Hotel, Mr. Tipple's Recording Studio, Angelicas, and Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, and with ensembles led by the Diablo Jazz Company, Grant Levin, Don Alberts, Denny Berthiaume, Walter Bankovitch, Lukas Vesely, Neil Kelly, and Ben Fong-Torres. Her vocal styling is infused with the artistic sensibilities from a unique musical upbringing, and heavily influenced by Sarah Vaughan, Helen Merrill, Nancy Wilson, Amy Winehouse, and Ella Fitzgerald.

http://www.thuhomusic.com/

Carly Thomas Smith is a dynamic and versatile singer/actor whose credits include starring on Broadway (RENT, Jersey Boys, We Will Rock You), television and film appearances (Friends, Two and a Half Men, Desperate Housewives), singing with superstars (Taylor Swift, Patti Austin), and fronting orchestras and bands around the world (Sydney Opera House, Columbus Jazz Orchestra).
In the Music Industry, Ms. Thomas Smith is one of the most in-demand female vocalists, with the ability to sing both lead and background vocals across many styles of music. Starting out in the jazz clubs of Minneapolis & New York City, Carly has fronted bands of all kinds, from small jazz ensembles, high-end Corporate Events Bands, to the all-female world music group Angaza. In concert, she performed at the Sydney Opera House in the spring of 2014 as a soloist with “The Music of Queen-A Rock and Symphonic Spectacular” and The Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She has also taken the stage with The Perth Symphony Orchestra and The Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Much to her delight, Carly recently got back to her jazz roots, singing with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra as a Guest Artist for their concert series “A Night at the Movies.”
Her voice can also been heard in many films, most notably the Kevin Hart film Ride Or Die with the song “In Time,” which she also co-wrote. As a background vocalist, she’s shared the stage with a wide range of recording artists, including Country/Pop Superstar Taylor Swift, R&B Legends Patti Austin and Ali Woodsen (The Temptations), Jazz Greats Lee Ritenour and Dave & Don Grusin, and Rock Royalty’s Joe Walsh & Don Felder of The Eagles. Working with some of the best in the business, her television appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Ellen, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The View, Dancing With The Stars, The X-Factor UK & US, The Tony Awards, The VMA’s, The EMA’s, The Aria Awards, The American Music Awards, & Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years Eve.
 
Website: carlythomassmith.com
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-839622027Twitter: @carly1277 ( https://twitter.com/Carly1277 )
Insta: CarlyThomasSmith

Jay King is a record producer/performer who formed Club Nouveau, an American R&B group in Sacramento, California, subsequent to the breakup of the Timex Social Club. The group's name (French for "New Club") was changed from its original incarnation, Jet Set, to capitalize on the breakup. The group was signed by Warner Bros. Records, on which Club Nouveau released its first three albums. Club Nouveau's version of Bill Withers' song "Lean on Me" won a Grammy award for Best R&B Song in 1987.

Seasoned percussionist Munyungo Jackson possesses an ever-increasing collection of instruments with which to execute his craft. In his over 50 years of playing, he has performed with Greats such as Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Karen Briggs, Kenny Loggins, the Zawinal Syndicate, George Howard, Ronnie Laws, The Temptations, Four Tops, The Supremes, and dozens of others, including numerous ethnic music and dance troupes. Munyungo was born in Los Angeles, California and is the nephew of the legendary jazz, pop, and blues singer, Capital Records Nellie Lutcher. In addition to his concerts, tours and recording work, Munyungo is one of the Co-Producers of the Watts Towers Day Of The Drum Festival, which brings together master drummers from all over the world to present their expertise, and the Watts Towers Jazz Festival, which presents Great Jazz musicians performing music from many different musical genres.
Munyungo is currently working with Stevie Wonder, Lao Tizer, Naseer Shamma, and the Miles Electric Band which will be performing in Japan in April at the Billboard Live!
www.munyungo.com

Russell Javors  is an American rock guitarist. He is best known as a rhythm guitarist for Billy Joel from 1976 to 1989.
At age 15, Javors was performing songs with his childhood friend Liberty DeVitto. He met Doug Stegmeyer in high school and along with Howard Emerson, formed the band Topper.
Together they performed the songs that Javors wrote. Topper became noticed by Billy Joel. Joel found he needed a bassist on his Streetlife Serenade tour and invited Stegmeyer to join him. Javors and DeVitto soon followed. With the addition of multi-instrumentalist Richie Cannata, Topper became the Billy Joel Band. Javors played rhythm guitar with Joel from 1976 until 1989.
On October 23, 2014, Javors, Cannata, and DeVitto (with Stegmeyer, posthumously) were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, primarily for their work with Joel.Shortly thereafter, Javors, Cannata, and DeVitto officially formed The Lords of 52nd Street band; the band also includes a pianist and lead vocalist, keyboardist, and a guitarist, and plays faithful renditions of the recorded Joel originals.
Javors also recorded guitar parts for Karen Carpenter's 1979 self-titled album, which was released in 1996

“Hired Gun” is the story of the musical talent responsible for the most famous instrumental solos in the world, who have toured with the musical legends who hired them. The hired gun community lives and breathes music, and, for the first time, its members share their incredible stories and exclusive musical performances with the world in this inspiring new documentary.
They are recognized as some of the best musicians in the world, and include Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch), Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Justin Derrico, Mark Schulman (P!NK), Ray Parker Jr. (Ghostbusters), Jason Newsted (Metallica), Eric Singer (KISS), John 5 (Rob Zombie), Glen Sobel, Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper), Steve Lukather (Michael Jackson, Toto), Steve Vai (David Lee Roth), Paul Bushnell (Katy Perry), Jay Graydon (Steely Dan), Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent), Chris Johnson (Rihanna), music producer David Foster, and featuring Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie, and more. These “hired guns” have mastered their craft and performed on the greatest stages and in high-intensity recording sessions, yet rarely receive credit for their work. In the vein of the 2014 Academy Award©-winning doc “20 Feet from Stardom,” “Hired Gun” details the highs and lows of touring life, the demands of session schedules, and the dedication required to play backseat to some of rock’s most iconic musicians.
http://www.hiredgunthefilm.com/

STYX’s highly anticipated and critically acclaimed 16th studio album, THE MISSION was released on June 16th, landing at #6 on BILLBOARD’S “TOP ROCK ALBUMS” chart.
Todd Sucherman grew up in a musical family and quickly established himself as a first call musician in Chicago’s recording scene. As an in demand player for live and session work, this led to his association with the band Styx. Todd was called in to record when Styx’s John Panozzo was ill. After John Panozzo’s untimely death, Todd’s position in the band was solidified. Thirteen years later Styx continues to play to millions of fans all over the world averaging 100 dates a year. Todd has recorded several albums with the band including “Big Bang Theory” which put the band in the top 50 on Billboard for the fourth straight decade. In-between his time with Styx he’s recorded over 1000 radio and TV spots and worked with artists diverse as Peter Cetera, Brian Culbertson, Spinal Tap, Michael Bolton, The Falling Wallendas, Eric Marienthal, and Brian Wilson (including his 2003 release with Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Elton John.) Todd has been an in demand clinician performing at drum festivals around the world.

Los Angeles born guitarist Nita Strauss has become a force to be reckoned with in the music world, dazzling audiences across the US, UK, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia and Africa, and sharing the stage with a diverse range of artists including rock legend Alice Cooper, R&B star Jermaine Jackson, early MTV darlings Femme Fatale, video game supergroup Critical Hit and popular tribute band The Iron Maidens. Her skill, exuberant stage presence and love for all things about her instrument have earned her a stellar reputation and endorsements from many top companies.
 
Nita has been featured in many worldwide print magazines and on dozens of albums, trailers, and soundtracks, including Heroes Of The Storm (Blizzard) and Grammy-nominated Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (Konami/ Platinum Games); and is the author of the Premier Guitar column "Drop Dead Shred". Nita was also the official in-house guitarist for the LA KISS, the arena football team owned by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS. She is one of the most sought after clinicians in the industry and has done extensive clinic tours across multiple continents. Her consistent touring schedule has shown her to play in front of over a million audience members in both 2014 and 2015 respectively.
 
Nita is currently playing guitar for Alice Cooper and working on original solo material.
 
http://nitastrauss.com/

Ricky has often stated that he played every zip code starting with EiEiO before ever getting a major gig. Although known as the bass player for Bad English and The Babys, some of the other artists he has been invited to perform on stage and/or in the studio with include: Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker, Roger Daltrey, Mick Jagger, Sammy Haggar, Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Julian Lennon, Ted Nugent, Eddie Money, Steve Stevens, David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Joe Lynn Turner, Steve Lukather, Vinnie Caliuta, Alan White, Jeff Porcarro and Terri Bozzio. He has written, performed, sung, produced, and engineered music for various artists as well as for film and television. His styles of writing range from the rock genre he's known for, to children's music for Nickelodeon, jazz themes for CNN, Be Bop,  Flamenco, blues and contemporary pop.