Jack Wilkins

Guitarist Jack Wilkins has been a part of the International jazz scene for more than four decades. His flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, and Buddy Rich among many others. A native of Brooklyn, Jack began playing guitar at age thirteen. His mentors included Johnny Smith, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Bill Evans, Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard.

“Windows”, his first album as a leader (Mainstream, 1973,) also available in transcription published by Hal Leonard Publications has been critically acclaimed as a dazzling, seminal guitar trio work.

Later recordings, “Merge”, “Mexico”, “Call Him Reckless”, “Alien Army”, “Keep in Touch”, and “Trioart”, feature the Brecker Brothers, Eddie Gomez, Jack De Johnette, Al Foster, Phil Woods, Kenny Drew, Jr., and many others. Project G7, a two CD set tribute to Wes Montgomery, features peerless chordal creativity by Wilkins.

In recent years, Wilkins has played at many international festivals and played with many jazz greats including Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath, The Mingus Epitaph, 5 Guitars play Mingus (primary arranger) and bassist Eddie Gomez.

A consummate accompanist, Wilkins has played and recorded with renowned singers Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Morgana King, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Nancy Marano, Chris Conner, Cassandra Wilson, and Jay Clayton. Wilkins was awarded an NEA grant in recognition of his work and contribution to the guitar. He has been widely and prominently profiled in such publications as Guitar Player, Just Jazz Guitar, Downbeat, 20th Century Guitar and Leonard Feather’s Jazz Encyclopedia. Recently Wilkins was invited to the Smithsonian Institution to be part of the Blue Guitars exhibit, and appeared on the P.S. I. first live jazz Internet concert. He was also featured as part of the J.V.C. festival tributes to Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow, Herb Ellis, and Barney Kessel

Wilkins lives in Manhattan, teaches at The New School and Manhattan School of Music. He was recently invited to judge the Monk Institute Guitar Competitions in Washington. He also conducts seminars and guitar clinics, both in New York and abroad. His latest CD, s "Reunion", the DVD, “The Benedetto Players in Concert, The Benedetto Players and Guild Jazz masters,, and Christmas Jazz Guitar, are all currently available. A new CD is scheduled for September 9th release called “Until It’s Time” on the Maxjazz label His website is www.jackwilkins.com

Frank DiBussolo

Dr. Frank DiBussolo has been a professional musician since 1965. A graduate of Weidner University, Frank received his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in composition from the Combs College of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. DiBussolo has studied theory and composition under Dennis Sandole, Albert Stauffer, Ana Kotserenko, David Finko, and Dr. Romeo Cascarino.

Dr. Frank DiBussolo has many credits to his name including writing for the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, The Philadelphia Jazz Ensemble, Rosella Washington, Clyde Terrel, and Pearl Williams, among others. In addition, Frank has recorded extensively and has performed with numerous musical personalities, including; Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Vicky Carr, Bobby Vinton, Dizzy Gillespie, Doc Severensen, Bob Hope, George Burns and Art Blankley.

Dr. DiBussolo has received eight Grammy nominations, the most recent being Best Arrangement (Les Miserables, 1998), Best Production (Les Miserables, 1998) and Best Jazz Recording (The Legends of Jazz Drumming, 1999). Dr. DiBussolo is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science, and The International Association of Jazz Educators. Frank has been published in Downbeat, Guitar Player and The Educator magazines and in The Groves Dictionary of Music. His website is www.frankdibussolo.com

Sean J. Kennedy

Sean J. Kennedy is a Philadelphia based drumset artist and teacher, and is a proud Bosphorus Cymbals and Silver Fox Drumsticks Performing Artist.

Sean leads the critically acclaimed Philadelphia based jazz quartet, The Sean J. Kennedy Quartet. Their new CD, Queen Anne’s Revenge, features Bob Mintzer (Yellow Jackets & Buddy Rich) and Liberty DeVitto (formerly with Billy Joel). The CD is already creating quite a buzz, jazz legend Dave Brubeck recently wrote the following about Kennedy’s newest CD,

“All the guys in your group play great. Your drumming sounds like it should--it swings!”

Here's what some others are saying...

"This new CD is indestructibly outrageous, and inexhaustibly refreshing. Real jazz, played with commitment and artistic depth from all." Tim Price, musician; educator; author

"Hey Sean, QAR sounds great. Very soulful playing on your part. The band is great, too! I dug Lib's contribution, Mintzer, Munsters, Horace and that daunting cover!! best," Will Lee, Bass Player Late Night with David Letterman, and about 300 other projects! www.willlee.com

The Sean J. Kennedy Quartet focuses on original compositions and new arrangements of time-honored standards. With Sean on drums, the group features Erin Stroup on saxophones, John Stenger on piano, and Raymond Clemens on bass.

As stated in a recent review on Jazzreview.com, Kennedy's quartet is “creatively new, but built on solid foundations of traditional jazz.” Philly2nite.com says..."These guys make other quartets look a little weak. They're tight, well-rehearsed and fun to hear."

The group can be heard regularly on Philadelphia radio stations WRTI-FM 90.1 FM, WLBS-FM, WRDV-FM and on Jazz 'n' Such: Carolina's Jazz 88.9 (Charlotte N.C.).

Recent performances include gigs at World Cafe Live, Chris' Jazz Cafe, The Promenade, and Allentown Symphony Hall - 'Jazz Upstairs'. www.seanjkennedy.com

Alex Bartlett Group Alex Bartlett has been playing in Philadelphia since 1990. He owned and operated and performed with various groups at Chris' Jazz Cafe and Alex's Jazz Underground. Alex attended the Peabody Institute in Baltimore and University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Born in Southeast England ( Essex), educated in both the U.K. and the U.S.A. Style: Bop - Post Bop. Trio for the Festival is Bill Schilling, Organ, Mike DeMonte, Drums and Alex Bartlett, Guitar

Eric Mintel Quartet The Eric Mintel Quartet are a professional touring jazz unit consisting of Eric Mintel on piano, Nelson Hill on alto sax, Dave Antonow on bass and Dave Mohn on drums.

A Performance by invitation at the White House, several performances at the Kennedy Center, collaborations with syphony orchestra and choral groups, outreach to students in elementary schools, performances at jazz festivals, cultural centers and concert halls throughout the country and educating the public on the importance of jazz music in our culture. Energetic, lyrical, swinging and always entertaining, pianist and composer, Eric Mintel's music touches the soul. Eric Mintel is the leader of one of the finest straight ahead jazz quartet's in the country today, the Eric Mintel Quartet. The public has hailed Eric's passionate piano style, his attention to melody, his catchy original compositions and his use of classical elements within a performance.

Devyn Rush Devyn Rush is 18 years old and a senior at New Hope-Solebury High School. Nothing makes her happier than performing. You may have seen herat Lincoln Center or Off-Broadway in Spring Awakening. She also originated the role of Tia in the first Broadway workshop of Saved! The Musical. Devyn plans on continuing to pursue her dreams after high school, with the support of her incredible parents, sister/best friend and manager, Edie Robb.

IMPRINT IMPRINT, the Pennridge High School Jazz Combo directed by Greg Benson. The Band is comprised of John McMordie on Trumpet, Justin Swan on jazz guitar, Alex Zepp on Bass, and Chris Proven on drums.

Quakertown High School Jazz Band