Tenor/soprano saxophonist and Chicago native Joel Moore specializes in both jazz and rhythm & blues. He received an M.M. in Jazz Pedagogy from the Berklee College of Music and The Boston Conservatory in 2000. While living in Boston, he studied with Jeff Harrington, Bill Pierce, Ed Tomassi, Rick Margitza and Bob Berg. Joel also performed at the House of Blues and Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA and toured throughout New England with a variety of ensembles.
Prior to Berklee, Joel lived in Louisiana and began graduate studies at the University of New Orleans. During this time he studied and performed with Ed Petersen, Ellis Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Mark Whitfield and Victor Goines. He also performed regularly in the legendary French Quarter with a variety of jazz and R&B bands.
From 1992-1996, Joel studied at Western Illinois University and earned a B.S. in Media Communications. During this time he juggled academics and music as a member of the Jazz Studio Orchestra directed by the late Dale Hopper. With JSO, Joel performed along side guest artists Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson, Tim Hagans and Jim Snidero. He also toured throughout the United States and Europe and recorded The Third Degree (Sea breeze Records) in Nashville with acclaimed jazz trombonist John Fedchock. The compact disc The Third Degree received four stars in Downbeat Magazine.
Since moving back to the Chicago area in 2000, Joel has performed extensively at many of Chicago’s live-music venues including Jazz Showcase, Andy's Jazz Club, Pete Miller's, Buddy Guy’s Legends, Green Dolphin Street, Green Mill, Underground Wonder Bar, The Note and Elbo Room.
Prior to Berklee, Joel lived in Louisiana and began graduate studies at the University of New Orleans. During this time he studied and performed with Ed Petersen, Ellis Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Mark Whitfield and Victor Goines. He also performed regularly in the legendary French Quarter with a variety of jazz and R&B bands.
From 1992-1996, Joel studied at Western Illinois University and earned a B.S. in Media Communications. During this time he juggled academics and music as a member of the Jazz Studio Orchestra directed by the late Dale Hopper. With JSO, Joel performed along side guest artists Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson, Tim Hagans and Jim Snidero. He also toured throughout the United States and Europe and recorded The Third Degree (Sea breeze Records) in Nashville with acclaimed jazz trombonist John Fedchock. The compact disc The Third Degree received four stars in Downbeat Magazine.
Since moving back to the Chicago area in 2000, Joel has performed extensively at many of Chicago’s live-music venues including Jazz Showcase, Andy's Jazz Club, Pete Miller's, Buddy Guy’s Legends, Green Dolphin Street, Green Mill, Underground Wonder Bar, The Note and Elbo Room.
He has recorded and performed with Orbert Davis, Paul Wertico, Lenny Williams (Tower of Power) and opened for the Yellowjackets, David Pack and Mindi Abair. He currently serves on the faculties of Lewis University, Benedictine University and Aurora University.
Paul Scherer is an accomplished keyboard player, composer and arranger. He has written jingles and TV themes, and has released three commercial jazz CDs. Classically trained at Indiana University, Paul studied music theory and composition with Alan Winold and Mary Wennerstrom and has written many classical, pop and jazz vocal and instrumental compositions. Paul is an active performer, fronting his own band and backing up a number of performers and ensembles including Bobby Rydell, Gordon MacRae,
Rita Moreno and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.
Paul’s first release on World Disc, Nitemusik, was a critical and commercial success, selling close to 10,000 units. Released in 1991, Nitemusik is a tour de force blending of classical structure, jazz improvisation and New Age ambience. The result is an immanently accessible and satisfying listening experience.
Rita Moreno and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.
Paul’s first release on World Disc, Nitemusik, was a critical and commercial success, selling close to 10,000 units. Released in 1991, Nitemusik is a tour de force blending of classical structure, jazz improvisation and New Age ambience. The result is an immanently accessible and satisfying listening experience.
Michael Barton is a musician and visual artist from North Aurora, IL. Barton received a bachelor and master of music degree from the University of North Texas. During his studies, Barton was the recipient of four Downbeat awards with the UNT Jazz singers, the Two O'clock Lab Band and the Noel Johnston, Paul Tynan Quintet. After graduating, Barton worked in Dallas steadily as a studio musician and performer in some of Texas' top venues and recorded for Radio Disney, ESPN, EDS, Genevox and Lifeway Music. In 2002, Barton returned to the Chicago scene performing at the Jazz Showcase, Andy's Jazz Club and other venues with some of Chicago's greatest talents.
Drummer Paul Townsend received a B.M. in Professional Music from the Berklee College of Music. He studied with Ian Froman and Les DeMerle.
Paul is highly influenced by the music of Joey Barron, Bill Frisell and Steve Coleman.
Since relocating back to his hometown of Joliet, IL, Paul has performed and recorded extensively throughout the Chicago area with a wide variety of jazz, rock and rhythm and blues bands.
Paul is highly influenced by the music of Joey Barron, Bill Frisell and Steve Coleman.
Since relocating back to his hometown of Joliet, IL, Paul has performed and recorded extensively throughout the Chicago area with a wide variety of jazz, rock and rhythm and blues bands.
Nick Mizock was born in Chicago, Illinois. By the age of 18 he was playing guitar professionally at such venues as Symphony Center, Navy Pier, and Millenium Park. He studied classical and jazz guitar at Northern Illinois University with the world-renowned Fareed Haque (Sting, Dave Holland, Paquito D’Rivera). After graduation Nick returned to Chicago where he leads his own bands Zock and the Zock Organ Trio. Zock released their debut album of original Hard Rock called ‘Catharsis’ in 2015. The Zock Organ Trio
will release their first album, ‘Mission Statement’ in 2017. Nick is also an in-demand sideman with many Chicago based bands.
will release their first album, ‘Mission Statement’ in 2017. Nick is also an in-demand sideman with many Chicago based bands.
“…a Virtuoso” -Fareed Haque
“…a Great Player” -Valerie Naranjo (SNL Band)