Our Featured Artists

Curtis Lundy is arguably one of the most prolific — in-demand bassists on the modern jazz scene — he is a disciple of the mainstream — straight ahead — hard bop school.
Highly regarded for his robust, lyrical, ‘lead from the front’ approach to the acoustic bass — he delivers an unsurpassed brand of masterful excellence in performing standards, originals and the American songbook. His fluid voicings and exceptional dexterity allow listeners to delve into a song — in any time signature — with an equal measure of challenge and enjoyment.
A native of Miami, Florida Lundy was nurtured in a musical family and began playing music early in life. Ultimately, he made the bass his instrument of choice in his early teens.
The Grammy-nominated composer, arranger and recording artist studied music at the University of Miami. He left Miami in the late 1970’s for New York City — the Jazz Mecca — where quickly established his formidable talents. Soon thereafter he came to the attention of legendary Vocalist Betty Carter. He quickly won her confidence and during this celebrated association — he rose to prominence –anchoring the rhythm section — with colleagues John Hicks on piano and Kenny Washington on drums. He is prominently featured on the Carter signature original “Tight’ memorialized on the iconic recording “the Audience with Betty Carter.”
Lundy also gained notoriety as co-leader of ‘Horizon’ — which became an extended model of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers– with renowned alto saxophonist and University of Miami Classmate — composer, arranger and recording artist — Bobby Watson – the band featured many of the young Turks and masters of the New York jazz scene in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s – The band also featured Vibraphonist Steve Nelson and his sister Vocalist Carmen Lundy.
His credentials as a sideman and his recording pedigree is impeccable – it places him among an elite roster of contemporary jazz luminaries — Lundy has performed and recorded with — Pharoah Sanders, Johnny Griffin, Cyrus Chestnut, Larry Willis, Wallace Rooney, Warren Wolfe, Steve Nelson, as well as his sister renowned Vocalist Carmen Lundy. Lundy’s arrangement of “Walk with Me,” recorded by the Arc Gospel Choir was sampled by Rapper Kanye West became the Grammy Award – Winning hit “Jesus Walks.”
JazzTimes calls Lundy “one of the most spiritually uplifting bassists on the jazz scene today.”

“Victor E. Jones is a new breed of outstanding drummer bandleaders … nothing Jones does is ever boring.” Time Out New York

Internationally recognized for his consistent, subtle and stylish drumming on stage and in the studio, Victor E. Jones is known as an innovator who is not afraid to bring together different styles, and sounds. He has played on hundreds of recordings, played hundreds of live concerts, and performed in clubs everywhere on this planet, often as a backing musician for a variety of well-known artists.

For the past five years Victor has been recording and performing with his own group, Culture-Versy, effortlessly blending Hip Hop, Urban Soul, Modern Jazz and Funk. Victor Jones is a leader that understands and plays with every facet of great American Music and popular art forms.

Jackie Jones, delivers a brand of performance excellence and professionalism that places her among an elite category of vocalists of exceptional caliber and unsurpassed capability. 
Her presence on the greater Newark/New Brunswick/New York Metro jazz scene is nothing short of prolific – it speaks volumes about what she has achieved since her emergence in the late 70’s and early 80’s — a musical journey that has carried her to destinations near and afar. 
A product of the Jazz program at Rutgers University – she studied with a coalition of legendary talents led by bassist Dr. Larry Ridley, pianist Kenny Barron, alto saxophonist James Spaulding, vibraphonist Steve Nelson and drummer Keith Copeland who established a program of world renown during the late 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, Jackie received a solid foundation in composition and performance at the Mason Gross School of the Arts while earning a degree in psychology. A Newark native, she is a graduate of the fabled Arts High School where she studied flute and vocals – her fellow alumnus, a few decades her senior, is none other than the legendary vocalist Sarah Vaughan. 
Among her career achievements, Jackie has been blessed to establish musical associations with many noteworthy talents including: appearing as the opening act for Lou Rawls, as well as performing with a host of jazz luminaries such as — saxophonist Houston Person, vibraphonist Roy Ayers, pianist Nat Adderley, guitarist Jimmy Ponder, Bassist Christian McBride and drummers Winard Harper and Cecil Brooks, III. Her abundant talents have carried her overseas to perform at festivals in Russia, Berlin and Switzerland while at home, she makes regular appearances at local music festivals. 
Jackie is imbued with a generosity of spirit that evokes humility, grace and poise – she shares a mutual affection and cordiality for her audience who respond in – kind to her seasoned — well – balanced repertoire – she brings to her artistry a constantly refreshing youthful vitality – simply put, she has established an intimate rapport with audiences and is poised to soar to greater heights of acclaim and wider recognition. 
 Jackie has earned her place among the ranking vocalists of the day — it is precisely because her music informs and empowers — engaging and elevating the listener with her warm, charismatic, spirited delivery – her fresh interpretations of standard, popular and original material enthralls audiences and leave them eager for more – Her signature tune “My Funny Valentine” speaks to a singer willing to bear her soul without reservation —  she’s a “singer’s singer” whose heartfelt treatments of jazz and popular songbooks – echoes  upon the legacies of the legendary constellation of vocal royalty — her artistry commands the listener’s attention and establishes her art as uniquely ubiquitous and distinctive. 
Jackie Jones independently produced CD “Part of Me” which is available on her website www.jackiejones.com.