Corey Fonville, an influential drummer in today's music scene, has dedicated his life to learning the craft and its history in order to be one of the best drummers of his time. As an artist and music-enthusiast, he studied a variety of genres, mostly through his father’s music collection, which generally consisted of jazz, R&B, alternative, and funk. His skills are rooted in an eclectic background and call attention to the fact that music is hard to typify. Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, Corey has played with recognized musicians whom have not only helped him develop as a drummer, but also introduced him to the life of a touring artist. Since the age of 2, Corey hasn’t been able to put the sticks down -- music was always his passion. He first started creating a buzz after high school when he attended New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

While he lived in New York City, he played almost every night with prominent artists from the city and quickly made close connections with influential musicians. He eventually left New School to study at the Dave Brubeck Institute in Stockton, CA where he received a full scholarship to play drums. The Brubeck Institute gave Corey the opportunity to network with many artists whom he aspired to be and to whom he listened when he was a child.

Jason Polise is multi-instrumentalist specializing in saxophones, woodwinds, and guitars.A Stamford resident now, he grew up in Nevada and moved here after graduating from theEastman School of Music. Jason currently co-owns/operates Stamford Recording where hecreates/produces music for many local/regional artists as well as commercial and film music.He performs regularly in the Connecticut/New York area with jazz, rock,and pop groups including Joe Scarborough from MSNBCs band.

Adam Levy is widely respected as a musician’s musician, with many featured turns to his credit. His understated yet memorable solos on Jones’ album Come Away with Me are shining examples of his handiwork. His bluesy lines on Tracy Chapman’s hit “Give Me One Reason” tell a juicy story, with not a single note wasted. He’s also a nuanced accompanist, as can be heard on Allen Toussaint’s recording of “American Tune.” You can also hear him on records by Vulfpeck, Anaïs Mitchell (composer of Hadestown), Allen Toussaint, and Amos Lee.

An imaginative songwriter and composer, Levy’s songs have been recorded by Norah Jones, Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), and others, though his writing can best be appreciated on his own recordings — including Blueberry Blonde, Accidental Courage, and Washing Day.

"Even the thorniest jazzbo snobs can recognize Levy’s potential to pen material for the next Great American Songbook." —Offbeat magazine

Tina Raymond is a drummer based in Los Angeles, CA. A unique voice in the Los Angeles contemporary improvised music scene, Raymond blends traditional jazz vocabulary with African polyrhythm and classical percussion technique. She performs, adjudicates, and presents workshops world wide and has shared the stage with many jazz luminaries including Bobby Bradford, David Binney, Rova Saxophone Quartet, Jeff Parker, Art Lande, and Vinny Golia. She can be heard on many records including Cathlene Pineda’s “A Weeks Time”(Orenda Records), The Harold Trio’s “Harold Trio” (Edgetone Records), Nick Mancini’s “The Long Game” (self released), Alex Sadnik’s “Londelius” (Big Ego Records), Dan Rosenboom’s “Trio Subliminal” (Orenda Records), Jon Armstrong’s “Burnt Hibiscus” (Orenda Records), and her debut album featuring Art Lande and Putter Smith entitled “Left Right Left” (Orenda Records).

Raymond is the director of Jazz Studies at California State University, Northridge. She attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (B.M Double Performance - Classical Percussion and Jazz Studies) and California Institute of the Arts (M.F.A Jazz Studies). Raymond studied African ewe music with Ghanaian chief Alfred Ladzekpo, classical percussion with the members of Percussion Group Cincinnati, and jazz drum set with Joe LaBarbera, Jeff Hamilton, and the late John Von Ohlen. She is also an educational artist endorsed by Sabian, Regal Tip, and Remo. She is an active member of the Jazz Education Network.

Key of She Jazz was founded in 2012 by Olivia Hughart and a friend who noticed they were among the only female players in their middle school jazz big band, despite nearly equal numbers of girls and guys in band and orchestra. With the help of their director (Dr. Neff!), they brought together girls in jazz throughout their district, built connections, and inspired the younger girls to keep playing. In high school, Key of She continued to grow, including girls from across the district. As a high school senior, Olivia expanded her vision and held an amazing live Key of She Jazz conference in April 2019 that featured phenomenal women in jazz, performers, panelists, and speakers and was attended by more than 200 girls and their bandmates, band directors and educators, parents, and supporters.

She is a Women in Jazz Organization (WIJO) mentee and performed in the WIJO virtual big band’s release of “Alone Together” in 2020. She was also a feature artist on WRTI Philadelphia/NPR Music Live Sessions. Most recently, she has been playing with the NYChillharmonic and Aberdeen in New York City, and is writing and rehearsing her own band and original music.

Hailed as a “Sax Phenom” by the New York Daily News, Chad LB has toured globally as a bandleader, and with superstars ranging from Chris Botti to Taylor Swift. He has been a featured soloist with premiere ensembles like the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, and he was formerly a prominent member of the multi GRAMMY-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. At only 31-years-old, Chad has now become one of the first jazz headliners of his generation, amassing a loyal social media fanbase of over 250,000 followers across platforms. Despite his demanding tour schedule, Chad continues to be a visiting artist at the renowned San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he gives monthly masterclasses during the scholastic year.

Chad went on to pursue a formal education in the arts at the Brubeck Institute, a prestigious fellowship program created by jazz legend Dave Brubeck. While studying at the institute, he performed regularly with Brubeck and was a member of the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet.

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Los Angeles-based bassist and vocalist Katie Thiroux has clearly established herself as one of the most exciting and in demandmusicians today. Thiroux’s unique gift of simultaneously balancing sultry vocals and virtuosic bass playing leaves audiences worldwide in awe. Her most recent album, “Off Beat,” was awarded a “Best Album Of 2018” by Downbeat Magazine as well as "Rising Star" 2018 & 2019. Thiroux is dedicated to jazz education and outreach for students and audiences conducting masterclasses, workshops and in July 2019 released an online course for the renowned website, Discover Double Bass and was asked to start a jazz camp in Maui, Jazz Maui Camp. In addition, Katie is the director of "Women in Jazz" for the Monterey Jazz Festival and is the #1 selling artist on Capri Records. Upcoming performances includethe 2022 SF JAZZ "Leading Women" and a performance at Stockholm Concert House April 2022.

Alex Hahn is a multi-award winning saxophonist and composer based in Los Angeles, California. Still early in his career, Hahn has had the opportunity to perform with many renowned artists such as Herbie Hancock, Esperanza Spalding, Bob Mintzer, Russell Ferrante, Bob Reynolds, and John Daversa. He also recorded on Michael Bublé’s last two albums, “Nobody but Me” and “love.” In addition, Hahn has performed and taught all over the world including the Panama Jazz Festival, Sitka Jazz Festival, and at International Jazz Day in Havana, Cuba and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Hey everyone!

This week on Playin' Around With Playbook, I spoke with Saxophonist, woodwind doubler, educator, and composer, Adison Evans.

"Adison Evans combines pure excitement with a soulful saxophone sound and a contagious smile to create one compelling performance after another..

Grammy-nominated saxophonist, Evans transcends genres as she has toured the world and shared the stage with legendary including Beyoncè, JayZ, Robin Thicke, Christian McBride, Terrence Blanchard, Frank Wess, Demi Lovato, Trisha Yearwood, Nicki Minaj, and many more. In addition, Adison recently made her debut on stage on Broadway in “Home for the Holidays” at New York City’s historical, August Wilson Theater.

Evans' pursuit to create harmony in humanity through the universal language of music continues after a successful debut album release, “Hero”, and sophomore work inspired by the interconnectivity of all things, “Meridian”. Evans’ compositions contain an expressive mixing of colors, rhythms, and textures similar to those found in nature.

A graduate from New York City’s, The Juilliard School, and Manhattan School of Music, Evans can be heard on the album that crashed iTunes, “Beyoncé” and seen in many of her music videos including “Countdown”, the HBO Beyonce specials, and Beyonce dvds.

As a prominent educator, composer, and orchestrator, Evans continues to push musical boundaries and is a champion for love, healing, and community that sharing in a musical experience creates."

Enjoy!

Trista.