Oct 2, 2025
Although Jocelyn Michelle also plays piano and guitar, she’s found her true voice on the Hammond B3 organ. A talented composer and lyricist as well as a musician, she has been performing different musical genres for many years and reimagines well-known songs in her own unique style. She could play by ear from a very early age and started piano lessons at seven years old. Jocelyn went on to attend the University of Miami School of Music and then played organ and keyboards all over south Florida. There, she met her husband, guitarist John Rack, and the two went on the become musical and life partners.
Oct 2, 2025
Denin Slage-Koch is an award-winning guitarist, composer and educator. He has played and recorded with artists like Ryan Keberle, Shane Endsley, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Gregory Tardy, Carmen Bradford, the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, and the Colorado Symphony, written music for artists like Melissa Aldana and Carmen Bradford, recorded three albums of original music and served as sideman for many more, published a book, and is a full-time member of the jazz faculty at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
May 1, 2025
A Tokyo native, Meg Okura is a Grammy-nominated violinist and award-winning composer based in the Bronx, New York. As a teen, Ms. Okura toured Asia as the soloist and concertmaster of the Asian Youth Orchestra. At 19, she made her U.S. solo debut at Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She earned B.M. and MM degrees from the Juilliard School as a violin performance major, only to make a difficult switch to jazz upon graduation. She has toured internationally as a violinist, appearing at Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Barbican Hall in the U.K., Madison Square Garden, Village Vanguard, Blue Note Tokyo, Hollywood Bowl, and numerous jazz and Jewish music festivals worldwide with many jazz greats such as Lee Konitz, Michael Brecker, Tom Harrel, Steve Swallow, Sam Newsome, Diane Reeves, as well as David Bowie, Pharaoh’s Daughter, Cirque du Soleil, Emilio Solla, and many others.
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Apr 24, 2025
Sam Newsome is a composer and pioneering soprano saxophonist celebrated for his groundbreaking solo work and fresh approaches to jazz improvisation. He first gained prominence playing with jazz legends such as Terence Blanchard and Donald Byrd, showcasing his deep roots in the tradition. Over the years, he has redefined the possibilities of the soprano saxophone, garnering five-star reviews in DownBeat Magazine for his groundbreaking works. While known for his experimental work, Newsome brings a soulful and engaging approach to this performance, bridging jazz’s rich past with its evolving future.
Feb 4, 2025
Jazz Maui presents Sunset Jazz featuring SHELL YEAH, a quartet of Maui musicians including vocalist Sheryl Renee, guitarist Shawn McLaughlin, U-bass and bassist Barney Cortez, and drummer and cajon player Ian Hollingsworth. The group brings a fun and soulful flavor to cover popular songs that range from standards to dance hits. They have built an impressive following with those who love to call out “SHELL YEAH’.
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